CPT code 63661: Lead removal, percutaneous electrode array2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Maryland
Removal of a percutaneous spinal cord stimulation electrode array, reported when the implanted epidural leads are extracted rather than revised or left in place.
Medicare pays $749.02–$853.22 for 63661 in the office in Maryland, from Rest of Maryland to Washington, DC area. 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 63661 covers
This procedure removes percutaneously placed epidural leads from a spinal cord stimulation system. Neurosurgeons and pain specialists commonly perform it when leads have migrated, fractured, become infected, or are no longer needed. The code concerns the electrode array, not removal or replacement of the pulse generator in its pocket. Fluoroscopy, when performed, is included in the service.
Report 63661 when the percutaneous array is extracted; use a revision code when the lead is repositioned or otherwise revised instead. The operative note should identify the percutaneous approach and document which leads were removed and why. Related postoperative visits are included in the 10-day global period. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; co-surgeon payment requires 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.
Where 63661 pays more and less in Maryland
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$749.02 to $853.22
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore area, MD | $793.72 | $327.46 |
| Rest of Maryland | $749.02 | $309.26 |
| Washington, DC area | $853.22 | $341.32 |
How the 63661 rate is calculated
Each of 63661’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 · 63661
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work4.95
4.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense16.33
16.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.98
0.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
22.2600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$743.50
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 63661
63661 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 63661
Lead removal, percutaneous electrode array
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 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) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 63661
Lead removal, percutaneous electrode array
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
63661 without 51 · national office
$743.50
Lead removal, percutaneous electrode array
63661-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$371.75
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%).
63661 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 63662Paddle lead removalLaminotomy or laminectomy approach
- Choose 63661 for removal of a percutaneous electrode array. Choose 63662 when the electrode being removed is a surgically placed paddle or plate.
- 63663Lead revisionPercutaneous electrode array
- 63661 describes extraction of a percutaneous array; 63663 is for revising the array rather than removing it.
- 63664Paddle lead revisionSurgically exposed electrode
- 63664 is revision of a surgically placed paddle or plate electrode. 63661 is removal of a percutaneous array.
- 63688Spinal stimulatorGenerator revision or removal
- 63688 concerns the pulse generator or receiver and its connection component, not removal of the spinal electrode array.
63661 billing questions
How does 63661 differ from 63662?
63661 is for removing a percutaneously placed electrode array. 63662 is for removing a surgically placed paddle or plate electrode.
Should removal or revision be reported when a lead is repositioned?
Use 63661 when the percutaneous array is removed. If the lead is revised rather than extracted, consider 63663 and document the work performed.
Can 63661 be reported with new lead placement?
It may be reported with 63650 when the old percutaneous array is removed and a new percutaneous array is placed in the same session; document both services.
Is modifier 50 appropriate for bilateral lead removal?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; modifier 50 should not be used.
What postoperative care is included?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. Document the removal and the reason for it in the operative note.
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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