CPT code 62270: Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Reports a diagnostic lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid or measure pressure during evaluation of neurologic or infectious conditions.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality21.9K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $154.76 for 62270 in the office and $56.62 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$154.76Office (non-facility)
$56.62Hospital or facility
−6.2%vs the national office rate ($165.00)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 62270 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 62270 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 62270 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 62270 covers

A clinician places a needle into the lumbar subarachnoid space to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for testing or to measure cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Neurologists, emergency physicians, hospitalists, and other qualified practitioners commonly perform the procedure in an office, emergency department, or hospital. Typical indications include evaluation for meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, inflammatory disease, or disorders involving raised intracranial pressure.

Choose this code for a diagnostic lumbar puncture without fluoroscopic or CT guidance. Use the documented reason for the procedure, lumbar access, and diagnostic purpose to support the claim; fluid tubes or laboratory tests do not represent additional punctures. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies its standard reduction to the others. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How South Carolina compares for 62270

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 62270 runs from $144.01 in Arkansas to $215.96 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $154.76. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

62270 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$154.76
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$184.52+$29.76
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$188.81+$34.05
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$184.55+$29.79
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$178.40+$23.64
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$191.94+$37.18
  7. Alaska · Alaska$188.04+$33.28

Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

62270 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$146.35$53.41
ArkansasArkansas$144.01$52.77
ArizonaArizona$160.02$57.10
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$173.06$56.65
Chico, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86
El Centro, CACalifornia$172.32$55.91
Fresno, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86
Hanford, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86

62270 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$144.01

$194.12

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
62270 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$188.041
AL$146.351
AR$144.011
AZ$160.021
CA$172.28–$215.9629
CO$170.751
CT$176.731
DC$188.811
DE$162.831
FL$164.79–$184.553
GA$154.38–$168.922
GU$176.761
HI$176.761
IA$149.341
ID$150.651
IL$160.40–$178.404
IN$151.591
KS$149.101
KY$151.351
LA$151.30–$159.502
MA$169.80–$187.982
MD$165.99–$188.813
ME$152.09–$160.392
MI$156.20–$167.602
MN$161.531
MO$148.80–$159.473
MS$146.411
MT$164.981
NC$153.761
ND$159.251
NE$150.081
NH$168.531
NJ$178.16–$186.652
NM$157.361
NV$163.501
NY$156.35–$197.695
OH$155.021
OK$150.471
OR$161.66–$175.982
PA$154.99–$172.322
PR$166.131
RI$168.521
SC$154.761
SD$158.571
TN$150.001
TX$153.91–$170.688
UT$157.081
VA$160.19–$188.812
VI$166.131
VT$159.061
WA$169.33–$191.452
WI$153.441
WV$154.041
WY$162.481

See 62270 in every payment locality

How the 62270 rate is calculated

Each of 62270’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 62270

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.46

3.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.9400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$165.00

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,948

Code
62270
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.46
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 62270 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense3.46× 0.9243.1970
Malpractice0.29× 0.8500.2465
Total RVUs4.6335
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$154.76

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 3.46 × 0.924 + 0.29 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $154.76

Facility: (1.19 × 1 + 0.28 × 0.924 + 0.29 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $56.62

Open 62270 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 62270

The CMS indicators that decide how 62270 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 62270

Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

62270 without 51 · national office

$165.00

Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance

62270-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$82.50

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

How 62270 has changed in South Carolina

62270 · Office / nonfacility

$154.76

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $22.84 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $131.92 to $154.76 (17.3%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $131.92changed to$154.76

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 2.88 changed to 3.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $136.09changed to$131.92

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $133.87changed to$136.09

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $125.08changed to$133.87

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.53 changed to 2.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $120.47changed to$125.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $125.22changed to$120.47

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.50 changed to 2.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.20

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $132.41changed to$125.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.50
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $140.72changed to$132.41

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 1.37 changed to 1.22
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $149.96changed to$140.72

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.95 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $150.05changed to$149.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $151.22changed to$150.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 2.95
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $152.28changed to$151.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.19

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $151.53changed to$152.28

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $149.89changed to$151.53

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $149.96changed to$149.89

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.21 changed to 2.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $149.96

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$154.76$56.62RVU26D
2026-07-01$154.76$56.62RVU26C
2026-04-01$154.76$56.62RVU26B
2026-01-01$154.76$56.62RVU26A
2025-10-01$131.92$59.56RVU25D
2025-07-01$131.92$59.56RVU25C
2025-04-01$131.92$59.56RVU25B
2025-01-01$131.92$59.56RVU25A
2024-10-01$136.09$60.41RVU24D
2024-07-01$136.09$60.41RVU24C
2024-04-01$136.09$60.41RVU24B
2024-03-09$136.09$60.41RVU24AR
2024-01-01$133.87$59.43RVU24A
2023-10-01$125.08$59.85RVU23D
2023-07-01$125.08$59.85RVU23C
2023-04-01$125.08$59.85RVU23B
2023-01-01$125.08$59.85RVU23A
2022-10-01$120.47$59.53RVU22D
2022-07-01$120.47$59.53RVU22C
2022-04-01$120.47$59.53RVU22B
2022-01-01$120.47$59.53RVU22A
2021-10-01$125.22$59.37RVU21D
2021-07-01$125.22$59.37RVU21C
2021-04-01$125.22$59.37RVU21B
2021-01-01$125.22$59.37RVU21A
2020-10-01$132.41$61.05RVU20D
2020-07-01$132.41$61.05RVU20C
2020-04-01$132.41$61.05RVU20B
2020-01-01$132.41$61.05RVU20A
2019-10-01$140.72$75.31RVU19D
2019-07-01$140.72$75.31RVU19C
2019-04-01$140.72$75.31RVU19B
2019-01-01$140.72$75.31RVU19A
2018-10-01$149.96$75.76RVU18D
2018-07-01$149.96$75.76RVU18C
2018-04-01$149.96$75.76RVU18B
2018-01-01$149.96$75.76RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$150.05$76.07RVU17D
2017-07-01$150.05$76.07RVU17C
2017-04-01$150.05$76.07RVU17B
2017-01-01$150.05$76.07RVU17A
2016-10-01$151.22$76.45RVU16D
2016-07-01$151.22$76.45RVU16C
2016-04-01$151.22$76.45RVU16B
2016-01-01$151.22$76.45RVU16A
2015-10-01$152.28$77.24RVU15D
2015-07-01$152.28$77.24RVU15C
2015-04-01$151.53$76.85RVU15B
2015-01-01$151.53$76.85RVU15A
2014-10-01$149.89$76.14RVU14D
2014-07-01$149.89$76.14RVU14C
2014-04-01$149.89$76.14RVU14B
2014-01-01$149.89$76.14RVU14A
2013-10-01$149.96$72.95RVU13D
2013-07-01$149.96$72.95RVU13C
2013-04-01$149.96$72.95RVU13B
2013-01-01$149.96$72.95RVU13AR

Price 62270 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

62270 billing questions

How does this differ from code 62328?

Use 62270 for a diagnostic lumbar puncture without fluoroscopic or CT guidance. Code 62328 is for a diagnostic lumbar puncture performed with fluoroscopic or CT guidance.

When should 62272 be reported instead?

Use 62272 when the purpose is therapeutic drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Code 62270 represents a diagnostic puncture, such as obtaining fluid for evaluation or measuring pressure.

Can each cerebrospinal fluid tube be billed as a separate unit?

No. Multiple collection tubes from one lumbar puncture do not represent multiple punctures. Report laboratory testing separately when those tests are performed.

Should modifier 50 be used for bilateral lumbar punctures?

No. Medicare's bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

How does Medicare handle this with another procedure in the same session?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces payment for the other procedures. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in this code's 0-day global period.

What documentation supports reporting 62270?

Document the diagnostic indication, lumbar access, and the procedure performed, including fluid collection or pressure measurement when applicable. The record should distinguish diagnostic evaluation from therapeutic drainage.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 62270PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,948 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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