CPT code 62291: Discography, cervical or thoracic2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Galveston, TX

Reports contrast injection into cervical or thoracic intervertebral disc levels for discography, generally to assess disc structure and help evaluate suspected disc-related pain.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality670 Medicare services in 2024

In Galveston, TX, Medicare pays $335.09 for 62291 in the office and $132.77 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$335.09Office (non-facility)
$132.77Hospital or facility
−0.7%vs the national office rate ($337.35)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 62291 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 62291 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Galveston, TX
  2. What 62291 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 62291 covers

A physician, commonly a radiologist or spine specialist, places a needle into one or more cervical or thoracic intervertebral discs and injects contrast for discographic evaluation. The study can help assess disc morphology and whether injection reproduces a patient’s symptoms during evaluation of suspected disc-related pain. This code identifies the injection procedure at each level, not lumbar discography.

Report the code for each cervical or thoracic disc level injected, supported by the procedure note’s documented site and number of levels. Radiological supervision and interpretation for cervical or thoracic discography is represented by 72285 when performed and documented. The 0-day global includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeon and team-surgery payment is 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 Galveston, TX compares for 62291

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 62291 runs from $300.40 in Arkansas to $447.70 in San Benito County, CA. Galveston, TX pays $335.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

62291 in Galveston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Galveston, TX · this page$335.09
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$350.22+$15.13
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$315.68−$19.41
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$334.23−$0.86
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$336.13+$1.04
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$333.89−$1.20
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$339.48+$4.39

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

Every other payment area

62291 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$324.61$131.26
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$381.45$140.42
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$385.11$145.10
Miami, FLFlorida$359.22$147.12
Chicago, ILIllinois$349.57$144.80
Manhattan, NYNew York$386.10$149.35
AlaskaAlaska$396.42$179.43
AlabamaAlabama$304.56$126.28

62291 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.

$300.40

$402.73

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

View every state and territory as a table
62291 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$396.421
AL$304.561
AR$300.401
AZ$328.931
CA$357.75–$447.7029
CO$351.741
CT$358.981
DC$385.111
DE$334.201
FL$331.06–$359.223
GA$313.56–$343.002
GU$366.101
HI$366.101
IA$312.581
ID$314.371
IL$321.46–$350.534
IN$316.111
KS$310.861
KY$310.641
LA$310.05–$324.612
MA$349.67–$385.842
MD$340.45–$385.113
ME$315.56–$332.282
MI$317.98–$334.642
MN$338.511
MO$304.78–$326.113
MS$302.661
MT$337.331
NC$318.751
ND$332.591
NE$314.311
NH$345.961
NJ$363.49–$381.392
NM$319.501
NV$336.241
NY$323.24–$394.615
OH$317.011
OK$310.471
OR$334.03–$362.842
PA$317.68–$350.222
PR$339.811
RI$346.021
SC$318.331
SD$332.031
TN$312.301
TX$315.68–$350.228
UT$322.461
VA$331.01–$385.112
VI$339.811
VT$331.041
WA$349.09–$393.852
WI$321.951
WV$310.091
WY$335.261

See 62291 in every payment locality

How the 62291 rate is calculated

Each of 62291’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 · 62291

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.84

2.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.02

7.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

10.1000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$337.35

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

The exact Galveston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,957

Code
62291
Physician work
2.84
Practice expense
7.02
Malpractice
0.24

GPCI2026.csv

101

Locality
Galveston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
0.828
Office calculation for 62291 in Galveston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.84× 1.0082.8627
Practice expense7.02× 0.9936.9709
Malpractice0.24× 0.8280.1987
Total RVUs10.0323
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Galveston, TX$335.09

Office: (2.84 × 1.008 + 7.02 × 0.993 + 0.24 × 0.828) × $33.4009 = $335.09

Facility: (2.84 × 1.008 + 0.92 × 0.993 + 0.24 × 0.828) × $33.4009 = $132.77

Open 62291 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 62291

The CMS indicators that decide how 62291 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 62291

Discography, cervical or thoracic

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

62291 without 51 · national office

$337.35

Discography, cervical or thoracic

62291-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$168.68

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 62291 has changed in Galveston, TX

62291 · Office / nonfacility

$335.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $40.87 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $294.22 to $335.09 (13.9%).

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

    $294.22changed to$335.09

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.91 changed to 2.84
    • Practice expense RVU 5.94 changed to 7.02
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.000 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.855 changed to 0.828

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $308.11changed to$294.22

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.10 changed to 5.94

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $303.08changed to$308.11

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $330.65changed to$303.08

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.52 changed to 6.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.703 changed to 0.855
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $345.15changed to$330.65

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.66 changed to 6.52
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.550 changed to 0.703

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $362.89changed to$345.15

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.07 changed to 6.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $348.78changed to$362.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.37 changed to 7.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.026
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.550

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $337.52changed to$348.78

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 6.12 changed to 6.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.839 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $334.96changed to$337.52

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 6.06 changed to 6.12

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $341.65changed to$334.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.27 changed to 6.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.25
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.839

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $342.49changed to$341.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.28 changed to 6.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $349.90changed to$342.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.44 changed to 6.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $348.15changed to$349.90

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $330.39changed to$348.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.99 changed to 6.44
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.970 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $328.19changed to$330.39

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.47 changed to 5.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.996 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.970

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $328.19

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$335.09$132.77RVU26D
2026-07-01$335.09$132.77RVU26C
2026-04-01$335.09$132.77RVU26B
2026-01-01$335.09$132.77RVU26A
2025-10-01$294.22$137.66RVU25D
2025-07-01$294.22$137.66RVU25C
2025-04-01$294.22$137.66RVU25B
2025-01-01$294.22$137.66RVU25A
2024-10-01$308.11$140.67RVU24D
2024-07-01$308.11$140.67RVU24C
2024-04-01$308.11$140.67RVU24B
2024-03-09$308.11$140.67RVU24AR
2024-01-01$303.08$138.38RVU24A
2023-10-01$330.65$146.31RVU23D
2023-07-01$330.65$146.31RVU23C
2023-04-01$330.65$146.31RVU23B
2023-01-01$330.65$146.31RVU23A
2022-10-01$345.15$150.58RVU22D
2022-07-01$345.15$150.58RVU22C
2022-04-01$345.15$150.58RVU22B
2022-01-01$345.15$150.58RVU22A
2021-10-01$362.89$158.47RVU21D
2021-07-01$362.89$158.47RVU21C
2021-04-01$362.89$158.47RVU21B
2021-01-01$362.89$158.47RVU21A
2020-10-01$348.78$165.64RVU20D
2020-07-01$348.78$165.64RVU20C
2020-04-01$348.78$165.64RVU20B
2020-01-01$348.78$165.64RVU20A
2019-10-01$337.52$168.82RVU19D
2019-07-01$337.52$168.82RVU19C
2019-04-01$337.52$168.82RVU19B
2019-01-01$337.52$168.82RVU19A
2018-10-01$334.96$174.82RVU18D
2018-07-01$334.96$174.82RVU18C
2018-04-01$334.96$174.82RVU18B
2018-01-01$334.96$174.82RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$341.65$177.12RVU17D
2017-07-01$341.65$177.12RVU17C
2017-04-01$341.65$177.12RVU17B
2017-01-01$341.65$177.12RVU17A
2016-10-01$342.49$178.92RVU16D
2016-07-01$342.49$178.92RVU16C
2016-04-01$342.49$178.92RVU16B
2016-01-01$342.49$178.92RVU16A
2015-10-01$349.90$180.63RVU15D
2015-07-01$349.90$180.63RVU15C
2015-04-01$348.15$179.73RVU15B
2015-01-01$348.15$179.73RVU15A
2014-10-01$330.39$177.02RVU14D
2014-07-01$330.39$177.02RVU14C
2014-04-01$330.39$177.02RVU14B
2014-01-01$330.39$177.02RVU14A
2013-10-01$328.19$169.94RVU13D
2013-07-01$328.19$169.94RVU13C
2013-04-01$328.19$169.94RVU13B
2013-01-01$328.19$169.94RVU13AR

Price 62291 for an earlier date of service

Where the Galveston, TX rate applies

Galveston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 16 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Galveston
  • Bacliff
  • Bayou Vista
  • Bolivar Peninsula
  • Clear Lake Shores
  • Dickinson
  • 62291 in Friendswood · multiple payment areas
  • Hitchcock

Browse all communities in Texas

62291 billing questions

When should 62291 be chosen instead of 62290?

Use 62291 for cervical or thoracic disc levels. Code 62290 is the lumbar discography injection counterpart.

How are units determined?

The code is reported for each cervical or thoracic disc level injected. Document the levels treated in the procedure note.

Is the imaging supervision and interpretation included?

Radiological supervision and interpretation for cervical or thoracic discography is represented by 72285 when performed and documented.

Should modifier 50 be used for bilateral discography?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect payment?

For multiple procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 62291PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,957 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Galveston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 101 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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