CPT code 62303: Myelography, thoracic spine2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Thoracic myelography is reported when intrathecal contrast is introduced through a lumbar puncture and radiographic evaluation assesses the thoracic spinal canal.
Medicare pays $225.56–$240.82 for 62303 in the office in Missouri, from Rest of Missouri to Metropolitan St. Louis, MO. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 62303 covers
This service covers a myelographic study of the thoracic spine after contrast is placed into the cerebrospinal-fluid space through a lumbar puncture. A radiologist or other qualified physician commonly performs it in a hospital or imaging department when the spinal canal, thecal sac, or nerve-root contours need evaluation, such as when assessing suspected thoracic stenosis or a structural lesion. The examination targets the thoracic region even though access is lumbar.
Report 62303 when the documented target of the myelographic examination is thoracic; select among myelography family codes by the imaged spinal region, not the puncture level. The service includes contrast injection and radiological supervision and interpretation, so those elements are not separately reported as stand-alone parts of this code. Document the indication, contrast administration, thoracic images, and interpretation. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, including same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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.
Where 62303 pays more and less in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$225.56 to $240.82
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $238.47 | $100.47 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $240.82 | $100.91 |
| Rest of Missouri | $225.56 | $98.88 |
How the 62303 rate is calculated
Each of 62303’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 · 62303
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.23
2.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.01
5.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
7.4500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$248.84
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 62303
The CMS indicators that decide how 62303 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 62303
Myelography, thoracic spine
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
62303 without 51 · national office
$248.84
Myelography, thoracic spine
62303-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$124.42
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%).
62303 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 62302MyelographyCervical region
- Use 62302 when the myelographic examination targets the cervical region; 62303 identifies a thoracic examination.
- 62304Myelography injectionLumbar region
- Use 62304 for a lumbar myelographic examination. A lumbar puncture used to access the intrathecal space does not make a thoracic study lumbar.
- 62305MyelographyTwo or more spinal regions
- Use 62305 when the myelographic examination targets the lumbosacral region rather than the thoracic spine.
62303 billing questions
How do I distinguish 62303 from the other myelography codes?
Choose 62303 for a thoracic myelographic examination. The neighboring codes identify cervical, lumbar, or lumbosacral imaging regions.
Is the contrast injection included?
Yes. The code includes the injection used to introduce contrast for the myelographic examination; do not report that access solely for contrast administration as a separate service.
Is radiological supervision and interpretation included?
Yes. The code includes radiological supervision and interpretation of the myelographic study.
What documentation supports reporting 62303?
Document the clinical indication, intrathecal contrast administration, thoracic region examined, images obtained, and the physician’s interpretation.
Can modifier 50 be used?
No. The bilateral adjustment is inappropriate for this descriptor and anatomy.
How does payment change when another procedure is performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedures are paid at 50%. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
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
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