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CPT code 64553: Neurostimulator lead, percutaneous, cranial nerve2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Reports percutaneous placement of a neurostimulator electrode array at a cranial nerve for a patient receiving cranial nerve stimulation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality63 Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $5,214.06 for 64553 in the office and $485.44 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$5,214.06Office (non-facility)
$485.44Hospital or facility
+7.7%vs the national office rate ($4,841.46)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 64553 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 64553 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 64553 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 64553 covers

A neurosurgeon or pain specialist uses a percutaneous approach to place a neurostimulator electrode array at a cranial nerve. The service may be performed in a surgical or procedure setting when cranial nerve stimulation is planned, including cases involving a targeted branch of the trigeminal nerve. This code identifies electrode-array placement, not an open implantation approach that includes a pulse generator.

Select the code based on the nerve targeted and the percutaneous technique documented. The operative or procedure note should identify the cranial nerve, describe the percutaneous placement, and document the array implanted. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard reduction to the others. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this descriptor or anatomy. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; 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.

How Connecticut compares for 64553

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 64553 runs from $4,158.02 in Arkansas to $6,838.81 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $5,214.06. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

64553 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$5,214.06
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$5,655.40+$441.34
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$5,673.00+$458.94
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$5,157.02−$57.04
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$4,974.65−$239.41
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$5,641.89+$427.83
  7. Alaska · Alaska$5,199.78−$14.28

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

Every other payment area

64553 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$4,235.24$393.51
ArkansasArkansas$4,158.02$386.54
ArizonaArizona$4,688.06$433.61
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$5,249.87$437.83
Chico, CACalifornia$5,243.33$431.29
El Centro, CACalifornia$5,243.75$431.71
Fresno, CACalifornia$5,243.33$431.29
Hanford, CACalifornia$5,243.33$431.29

64553 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.

$4,158.02

$6,041.07

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
64553 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$5,199.781
AL$4,235.241
AR$4,158.021
AZ$4,688.061
CA$5,243.33–$6,838.8129
CO$5,117.111
CT$5,214.061
DC$5,673.001
DE$4,779.271
FL$4,683.27–$5,157.023
GA$4,365.41–$4,931.902
GU$5,430.411
HI$5,430.411
IA$4,403.311
ID$4,432.501
IL$4,492.34–$5,030.894
IN$4,465.501
KS$4,362.191
KY$4,328.421
LA$4,313.81–$4,584.012
MA$5,069.12–$5,724.562
MD$4,891.25–$5,673.003
ME$4,445.04–$4,769.382
MI$4,455.81–$4,739.692
MN$4,914.371
MO$4,210.33–$4,622.873
MS$4,185.991
MT$4,841.291
NC$4,505.721
ND$4,791.461
NE$4,438.171
NH$5,017.801
NJ$5,276.91–$5,588.982
NM$4,480.101
NV$4,831.961
NY$4,588.58–$5,787.765
OH$4,445.631
OK$4,335.031
OR$4,798.23–$5,329.002
PA$4,463.11–$5,048.162
PR$4,890.331
RI$4,986.561
SC$4,482.461
SD$4,785.571
TN$4,387.751
TX$4,425.30–$5,096.608
UT$4,559.421
VA$4,739.24–$5,673.002
VI$4,890.331
VT$4,754.301
WA$5,065.49–$5,870.612
WI$4,591.801
WV$4,280.701
WY$4,819.581

See 64553 in every payment locality

How the 64553 rate is calculated

Each of 64553’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 · 64553

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work5.98

5.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense136.45

136.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice2.52

2.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

144.9500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$4,841.46

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,145

Code
64553
Physician work
5.98
Practice expense
136.45
Malpractice
2.52

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 64553 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.98× 1.0206.0996
Practice expense136.45× 1.077146.9566
Malpractice2.52× 1.2103.0492
Total RVUs156.1054
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$5214.06

Office: (5.98 × 1.02 + 136.45 × 1.077 + 2.52 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $5214.06

Facility: (5.98 × 1.02 + 5 × 1.077 + 2.52 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $485.44

Open 64553 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 64553

64553 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 64553

Neurostimulator lead, percutaneous, cranial nerve

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 64553

Neurostimulator lead, percutaneous, cranial nerve

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.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

64553 without 51 · national office

$4,841.46

Neurostimulator lead, percutaneous, cranial nerve

64553-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$2,420.73

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 64553

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

Codes related to 64553
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Used instead
64555Nerve stimulation, percutaneous peripheral nervePercutaneous electrode-array placement for a peripheral nerve rather than a cranial nerve.$2,386.58
64568Nerve stimulator, electrode array and pulse generatorOpen cranial nerve implantation that includes an electrode array and pulse generator.No office rate
Same family
64569Vagus nerve electrode, revision or replacementRevision or replacement of a vagus nerve neurostimulator electrode, rather than initial placement.No office rate

How 64553 has changed in Connecticut

64553 · Office / nonfacility

$5214.06

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1275.37 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $3938.69 to $5214.06 (32.4%).

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

    $3938.69changed to$5214.06

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 6.13 changed to 5.98
    • Practice expense RVU 103.09 changed to 136.45
    • Malpractice RVU 2.51 changed to 2.52
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $4210.32changed to$3938.69

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 107.37 changed to 103.09
    • Malpractice RVU 2.55 changed to 2.51

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $4141.60changed to$4210.32

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $2820.80changed to$4141.60

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 69.03 changed to 107.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 2.55
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $2935.42changed to$2820.80

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 69.85 changed to 69.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $2761.46changed to$2935.42

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 64.69 changed to 69.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.70

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $2290.44changed to$2761.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 50.47 changed to 64.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.77
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1939.95changed to$2290.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 41.91 changed to 50.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.90
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1279.51changed to$1939.95

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 23.49 changed to 41.91
    • Malpractice RVU 2.52 changed to 0.77

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $224.30changed to$1279.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 2.36 changed to 6.13
    • Practice expense RVU 3.20 changed to 23.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 2.52
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $231.45changed to$224.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.38 changed to 3.20
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $237.85changed to$231.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.21

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $236.66changed to$237.85

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $230.81changed to$236.66

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.21 changed to 3.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.19
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $255.29changed to$230.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.16 changed to 3.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.36
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $255.29

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$5,214.06$485.44RVU26D
2026-07-01$5,214.06$485.44RVU26C
2026-04-01$5,214.06$485.44RVU26B
2026-01-01$5,214.06$485.44RVU26A
2025-10-01$3,938.69$482.39RVU25D
2025-07-01$3,938.69$482.39RVU25C
2025-04-01$3,938.69$482.39RVU25B
2025-01-01$3,938.69$482.39RVU25A
2024-10-01$4,210.32$494.76RVU24D
2024-07-01$4,210.32$494.76RVU24C
2024-04-01$4,210.32$494.76RVU24B
2024-03-09$4,210.32$494.76RVU24AR
2024-01-01$4,141.60$486.68RVU24A
2023-10-01$2,820.80$420.35RVU23D
2023-07-01$2,820.80$420.35RVU23C
2023-04-01$2,820.80$420.35RVU23B
2023-01-01$2,820.80$420.35RVU23A
2022-10-01$2,935.42$409.15RVU22D
2022-07-01$2,935.42$409.15RVU22C
2022-04-01$2,935.42$409.15RVU22B
2022-01-01$2,935.42$409.15RVU22A
2021-10-01$2,761.46$391.11RVU21D
2021-07-01$2,761.46$391.11RVU21C
2021-04-01$2,761.46$391.11RVU21B
2021-01-01$2,761.46$391.11RVU21A
2020-10-01$2,290.44$394.13RVU20D
2020-07-01$2,290.44$394.13RVU20C
2020-04-01$2,290.44$394.13RVU20B
2020-01-01$2,290.44$394.13RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,939.95$391.83RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,939.95$391.83RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,939.95$391.83RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,939.95$391.83RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,279.51$430.44RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,279.51$430.44RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,279.51$430.44RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,279.51$430.44RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$224.30$167.38RVU17D
2017-07-01$224.30$167.38RVU17C
2017-04-01$224.30$167.38RVU17B
2017-01-01$224.30$167.38RVU17A
2016-10-01$231.45$172.45RVU16D
2016-07-01$231.45$172.45RVU16C
2016-04-01$231.45$172.45RVU16B
2016-01-01$231.45$172.45RVU16A
2015-10-01$237.85$177.83RVU15D
2015-07-01$237.85$177.83RVU15C
2015-04-01$236.66$176.94RVU15B
2015-01-01$236.66$176.94RVU15A
2014-10-01$230.81$171.65RVU14D
2014-07-01$230.81$171.65RVU14C
2014-04-01$230.81$171.65RVU14B
2014-01-01$230.81$171.65RVU14A
2013-10-01$255.29$184.67RVU13D
2013-07-01$255.29$184.67RVU13C
2013-04-01$255.29$184.67RVU13B
2013-01-01$255.29$184.67RVU13AR

Price 64553 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

64553 billing questions

How is 64553 distinguished from 64555?

64553 is for percutaneous electrode-array placement at a cranial nerve. 64555 is for a peripheral nerve, so the documented target nerve determines the choice.

When would 64568 be considered instead?

64568 describes an open cranial nerve implantation approach that includes an electrode array and pulse generator. Use 64553 when the documented service is percutaneous electrode-array placement.

Can modifier 50 be appended for bilateral placement?

CMS identifies modifier 50 as inappropriate for this descriptor or anatomy. Report the service according to the documented cranial nerve procedure rather than treating it as a bilateral service.

Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.

What documentation supports 64553?

The record should identify the cranial nerve targeted and describe the percutaneous approach and electrode-array placement. It should distinguish this service from peripheral-nerve placement or open implantation.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

Under the CMS multiple-procedure rule, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

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 64553PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,145 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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