CPT code 63064: Spinal decompression, thoracic costovertebral approach2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
Reports decompression of the spinal cord or nerve root at one thoracic segment when the surgeon uses a costovertebral approach.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,859.86 for 63064 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 63064 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 63064 covers
This service involves reaching a thoracic spinal lesion through a costovertebral exposure and decompressing the spinal cord or nerve root at one segment. The surgeon may remove bone or address a herniated thoracic disk as part of the decompression. Spine surgeons, including orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, typically perform it in a hospital or other facility operating room.
Select the code when the documented approach is costovertebral and the work treats one thoracic segment; identify the level, pathology, approach, and decompression performed. For additional segments, CPT add-on code 63066 may be reported with this primary procedure when its requirements are met. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When other procedures are performed 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. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made; co-surgeons require supporting documentation, and 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.
How Washington, DC area compares for 63064
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 63064 runs from $1,449.98 in Wisconsin to $2,179.59 in Miami, FL. Washington, DC area pays $1,859.86. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$1,859.86
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,712.66−$147.20
- Miami, FL · Florida$2,179.59+$319.73
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$2,094.44+$234.58
- Manhattan, NY · New York$2,006.17+$146.31
- Alaska · Alaska$2,007.88+$148.02
- Alabama · Alabama$1,486.27−$373.59
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $1,462.15 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $1,625.04 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $1,631.38 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $1,608.66 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $1,753.85 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $1,688.37 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $1,705.91 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $1,658.38 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $1,652.02 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $1,672.37 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $1,814.15 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $1,803.65 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $1,867.49 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $1,824.54 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $1,629.61 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $1,672.77 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $1,653.12 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $1,687.26 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $1,738.71 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $1,607.11 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $1,661.80 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $1,807.97 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $1,652.53 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $1,942.18 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $1,818.13 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $1,758.77 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $1,688.57 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $1,627.33 |
| IowaIowa | — | $1,454.98 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $1,481.08 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $1,957.18 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $1,814.18 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $1,944.36 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $1,488.76 |
| KansasKansas | — | $1,482.29 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $1,601.42 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $1,696.90 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $1,612.62 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $1,788.23 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $1,664.41 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $1,810.81 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $1,675.22 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $1,527.11 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $1,567.03 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $1,879.38 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $1,680.09 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $1,483.41 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $1,646.73 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $1,661.25 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $1,605.53 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $1,532.40 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $1,685.13 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $1,539.16 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $1,502.22 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $1,453.30 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $1,668.57 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,844.23 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,797.98 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $1,704.43 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $1,634.67 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $2,104.02 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $1,838.73 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $1,972.14 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $1,567.83 |
| OhioOhio | — | $1,642.71 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $1,560.88 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $1,678.37 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $1,591.89 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $1,782.18 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $1,625.86 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $1,686.86 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $1,685.86 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $1,599.65 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $1,480.60 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $1,495.10 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $1,682.57 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $1,616.73 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $1,619.89 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $1,647.46 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $1,646.25 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $1,635.77 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $1,805.08 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $1,629.10 |
| UtahUtah | — | $1,622.85 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $1,586.02 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $1,686.86 |
| VermontVermont | — | $1,527.89 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $1,650.72 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $1,790.62 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $1,449.98 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $1,750.38 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $1,605.41 |
63064 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.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
How the 63064 rate is calculated
Each of 63064’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 · 63064
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work25.56
25.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense15.66
15.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice9.25
9.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
50.4700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,685.74
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,015
- Code
- 63064
- Physician work
- 25.56
- Practice expense
- 15.66
- Malpractice
- 9.25
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 25.56 | × 1.054 | 26.9402 |
| Practice expense | 15.66 | × 1.178 | 18.4475 |
| Malpractice | 9.25 | × 1.113 | 10.2952 |
| Total RVUs | 55.6830 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, Washington, DC area$1859.86
Facility: (25.56 × 1.054 + 15.66 × 1.178 + 9.25 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1859.86
Payment rules and modifiers for 63064
63064 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 63064
Spinal decompression, thoracic costovertebral approach
| 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) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 63064
Spinal decompression, thoracic costovertebral approach
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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
63064 without 51 · national facility
$1,685.74
Spinal decompression, thoracic costovertebral approach
63064-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$842.87
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%).
How 63064 has changed in Washington, DC area
63064 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
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
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,859.86 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,859.86 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,859.86 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,859.86 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,950.68 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,950.68 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,950.68 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,950.68 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,013.76 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,013.76 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,013.76 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $2,013.76 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,980.89 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,072.89 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,072.89 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,072.89 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,072.89 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.74 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.74 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.74 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.74 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,122.68 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,122.68 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,122.68 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,122.68 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,124.99 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,124.99 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,124.99 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,124.99 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,120.74 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,120.74 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,120.74 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,120.74 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,115.16 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,115.16 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,115.16 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,115.16 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.15 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.15 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.15 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,111.15 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,108.67 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,108.67 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,108.67 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,108.67 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,130.08 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,130.08 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,119.48 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,119.48 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,045.44 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,045.44 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,045.44 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,045.44 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,986.93 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,986.93 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,986.93 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,986.93 | RVU13AR |
Where the Washington, DC area rate applies
Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Washington
63064 billing questions
How does this differ from 63055?
Both describe thoracic spinal cord decompression, but 63064 uses a costovertebral approach. Code 63055 is for a transpedicular approach.
Can 63066 be reported with 63064?
CPT add-on code 63066 may be reported for an additional thoracic segment treated through the costovertebral approach. Documentation should establish the additional level and work.
Is disk removal separately reported?
Disk removal performed as part of the decompression is included in this service. Do not separately report another procedure for the same disk work.
Should modifier 50 be used for bilateral work?
No. The descriptor and anatomy make modifier 50 inappropriate for this code.
What documentation supports code selection?
Document the thoracic level, the costovertebral approach, the condition treated, and the decompression performed. If additional segments are treated, identify each one.
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
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