CPT code 63030: Lumbar decompression, single interspace2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Reports a limited lumbar decompression at one interspace to relieve a nerve root, commonly for radiculopathy from a herniated disk.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 63030 in Missouri.
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 63030 covers
A spine surgeon uses a limited opening through part of the lumbar lamina to reach and decompress a nerve root at one interspace. The work may include removing a portion of facet bone, widening the nerve-root exit, and removing herniated disk material when needed. A common clinical setting is surgery for lumbar radiculopathy caused by a disk herniation; the service is typically performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical facility.
Report one unit for the treated lumbar interspace when the operative note supports nerve-root decompression and identifies the level and approach. Use the additional-interspace code when qualifying decompression is performed at another interspace in the same session; use the re-exploration code for lumbar reoperation instead. The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant surgeons and co-surgeons may be paid; team surgery 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.
Where 63030 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.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | Unavailable | $872.08 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | Unavailable | $880.21 |
| Rest of Missouri | Unavailable | $842.50 |
How the 63030 rate is calculated
Each of 63030’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 · 63030
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work11.70
11.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense11.35
11.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice3.84
3.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
26.8900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$898.15
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 63030
63030 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 63030
Lumbar decompression, single interspace
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 2 | Permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.11/0.76/0.13 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 63030
Lumbar decompression, single interspace
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
63030 without 50 · national facility
$898.15
Lumbar decompression, single interspace
63030-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,347.23
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
63030 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 63035Nerve-root decompressionEach additional interspace
- 63030 covers one lumbar interspace; 63035 is the add-on for each additional qualifying interspace in the same session.
- 63042Lumbar decompressionSingle-level re-exploration
- 63042 describes lumbar re-exploration. Choose it for a repeat operation rather than an initial decompression at that interspace.
- 63047Lumbar decompressionSingle lumbar segment
- 63047 is for a broader lumbar decompression for stenosis. This code describes limited nerve-root decompression at one interspace, often for disk-related radiculopathy.
63030 billing questions
When is this code appropriate instead of a lumbar stenosis decompression code?
Use this code for limited nerve-root decompression at one lumbar interspace, often involving a herniated disk. A broader decompression for spinal or lateral recess stenosis may fit 63047 instead, depending on the operative work.
How is a second lumbar interspace reported?
When qualifying nerve-root decompression is performed at another interspace in the same session, report 63035 for the additional interspace. The operative note should identify each treated level.
What code applies to a repeat operation at the same lumbar level?
For lumbar re-exploration, consider 63042 rather than this code. The record should establish that the procedure is a reoperation, not an initial decompression.
What documentation supports reporting this service?
Document the lumbar interspace, the nerve-root compression and clinical indication, and the decompression performed. If disk material, facet bone, or the foramen was addressed, describe that work in the operative report.
How does the 90-day global affect postoperative visits?
The global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. Those included services are not separately reported as routine follow-up.
How are bilateral and multiple procedures handled?
Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. For multiple procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%.
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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