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

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 Virginia, Medicare pays $331.01 for 62291 in the office and $130.72 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$331.01Office (non-facility)
$130.72Hospital or facility
−1.9%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 Virginia
  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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $331.01. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

62291 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$331.01
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$381.45+$50.44
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$385.11+$54.10
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$359.22+$28.21
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$349.57+$18.56
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$386.10+$55.09
  7. Alaska · Alaska$396.42+$65.41

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

Every other payment area

62291 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$304.56$126.28
ArkansasArkansas$300.40$125.38
ArizonaArizona$328.93$131.50
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$358.53$135.22
Chico, CACalifornia$357.75$134.45
El Centro, CACalifornia$357.79$134.49
Fresno, CACalifornia$357.75$134.45
Hanford, CACalifornia$357.75$134.45

62291 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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 Virginia 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

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 62291 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.84× 1.0002.8400
Practice expense7.02× 0.9836.9007
Malpractice0.24× 0.7060.1694
Total RVUs9.9101
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$331.01

Office: (2.84 × 1 + 7.02 × 0.983 + 0.24 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $331.01

Facility: (2.84 × 1 + 0.92 × 0.983 + 0.24 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $130.72

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

Codes related to 62291

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 62291
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Virginia
Same family
62290Discography, lumbar level injectionLumbar counterpart for discography injection.$363.05
72295Discography imaging, lumbar spineLumbar counterpart for discography supervision and interpretation.$120.17
Often billed with
72285Discography, cervical or thoracicRadiological supervision and interpretation for cervical or thoracic discography.$142.67

How 62291 has changed in Virginia

62291 · Office / nonfacility

$331.01

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $41.77 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $289.24 to $331.01 (14.4%).

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

    $289.24changed to$331.01

    • 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 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $302.90changed to$289.24

    • 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

    $297.95changed to$302.90

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $324.34changed to$297.95

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $337.79changed to$324.34

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.66 changed to 6.52
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $355.14changed to$337.79

    • 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

    $341.64changed to$355.14

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $330.53changed to$341.64

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $328.03changed to$330.53

    • 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

    $333.23changed to$328.03

    • 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 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $332.59changed to$333.23

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $339.74changed to$332.59

    • 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

    $338.05changed to$339.74

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $321.78changed to$338.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.99 changed to 6.44
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $320.79changed to$321.78

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $320.79

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$331.01$130.72RVU26D
2026-07-01$331.01$130.72RVU26C
2026-04-01$331.01$130.72RVU26B
2026-01-01$331.01$130.72RVU26A
2025-10-01$289.24$135.19RVU25D
2025-07-01$289.24$135.19RVU25C
2025-04-01$289.24$135.19RVU25B
2025-01-01$289.24$135.19RVU25A
2024-10-01$302.90$138.14RVU24D
2024-07-01$302.90$138.14RVU24C
2024-04-01$302.90$138.14RVU24B
2024-03-09$302.90$138.14RVU24AR
2024-01-01$297.95$135.89RVU24A
2023-10-01$324.34$144.19RVU23D
2023-07-01$324.34$144.19RVU23C
2023-04-01$324.34$144.19RVU23B
2023-01-01$324.34$144.19RVU23A
2022-10-01$337.79$149.10RVU22D
2022-07-01$337.79$149.10RVU22C
2022-04-01$337.79$149.10RVU22B
2022-01-01$337.79$149.10RVU22A
2021-10-01$355.14$156.89RVU21D
2021-07-01$355.14$156.89RVU21C
2021-04-01$355.14$156.89RVU21B
2021-01-01$355.14$156.89RVU21A
2020-10-01$341.64$163.53RVU20D
2020-07-01$341.64$163.53RVU20C
2020-04-01$341.64$163.53RVU20B
2020-01-01$341.64$163.53RVU20A
2019-10-01$330.53$166.00RVU19D
2019-07-01$330.53$166.00RVU19C
2019-04-01$330.53$166.00RVU19B
2019-01-01$330.53$166.00RVU19A
2018-10-01$328.03$171.85RVU18D
2018-07-01$328.03$171.85RVU18C
2018-04-01$328.03$171.85RVU18B
2018-01-01$328.03$171.85RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$333.23$173.09RVU17D
2017-07-01$333.23$173.09RVU17C
2017-04-01$333.23$173.09RVU17B
2017-01-01$333.23$173.09RVU17A
2016-10-01$332.59$173.86RVU16D
2016-07-01$332.59$173.86RVU16C
2016-04-01$332.59$173.86RVU16B
2016-01-01$332.59$173.86RVU16A
2015-10-01$339.74$175.49RVU15D
2015-07-01$339.74$175.49RVU15C
2015-04-01$338.05$174.62RVU15B
2015-01-01$338.05$174.62RVU15A
2014-10-01$321.78$172.22RVU14D
2014-07-01$321.78$172.22RVU14C
2014-04-01$321.78$172.22RVU14B
2014-01-01$321.78$172.22RVU14A
2013-10-01$320.79$165.55RVU13D
2013-07-01$320.79$165.55RVU13C
2013-04-01$320.79$165.55RVU13B
2013-01-01$320.79$165.55RVU13AR

Price 62291 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

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 VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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