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CPT code 64635: Facet nerve ablation, first lumbar or sacral joint2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Rhode Island

Reports image-guided ablation of nerves supplying the first lumbar or sacral facet joint treated during a session for facet-mediated spinal pain.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality381.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Rhode Island, Medicare pays $477.40 for 64635 in the office and $175.85 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$477.40Office (non-facility)
$175.85Hospital or facility
+2.7%vs the national office rate ($464.94)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 64635 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 64635 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Rhode Island
  2. What 64635 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 64635 covers

An interventional pain physician typically uses a radiofrequency probe to create a lesion in nerves supplying a lumbar or sacral facet joint. Fluoroscopy or CT guides probe placement. The procedure is commonly considered for persistent axial low-back pain attributed to facet joints, often after diagnostic medial branch blocks. The target is the nerve supply to the joint, not the joint tissue itself.

Report 64635 for the first lumbar or sacral facet joint treated in the session; report 64636 for each additional joint. Document the spinal levels and sides treated, the image-guided technique, and the ablation performed. Imaging guidance is part of the service. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits in that period are included. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. An assistant at surgery is not paid; co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Rhode Island compares for 64635

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 64635 runs from $411.31 in Arkansas to $625.74 in San Benito County, CA. Rhode Island pays $477.40. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

64635 in Rhode Island vs other payment areas
  1. Rhode Island · this page$477.40
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$529.63+$52.23
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$533.65+$56.25
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$493.98+$16.58
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$479.98+$2.58
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$533.76+$56.36
  7. Alaska · Alaska$537.26+$59.86

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

Every other payment area

64635 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$417.36$161.92
ArkansasArkansas$411.31$160.55
ArizonaArizona$452.79$169.91
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$496.52$176.58
Chico, CACalifornia$495.60$175.65
El Centro, CACalifornia$495.65$175.70
Fresno, CACalifornia$495.60$175.65
Hanford, CACalifornia$495.60$175.65

64635 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.

$411.31

$560.67

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

View every state and territory as a table
64635 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$537.261
AL$417.361
AR$411.311
AZ$452.791
CA$495.60–$625.7429
CO$486.331
CT$495.861
DC$533.651
DE$460.341
FL$454.54–$493.983
GA$429.32–$472.762
GU$508.411
HI$508.411
IA$429.601
ID$432.071
IL$440.20–$482.554
IN$434.631
KS$426.821
KY$425.601
LA$424.62–$445.782
MA$483.10–$535.642
MD$469.39–$533.653
ME$433.52–$458.242
MI$436.00–$459.442
MN$468.191
MO$416.80–$448.303
MS$414.171
MT$464.921
NC$438.191
ND$459.191
NE$432.191
NH$477.961
NJ$502.14–$527.942
NM$438.081
NV$463.671
NY$444.71–$545.765
OH$434.831
OK$425.651
OR$460.68–$502.712
PA$435.95–$482.992
PR$468.611
RI$477.401
SC$437.111
SD$458.511
TN$428.881
TX$433.02–$484.188
UT$443.131
VA$456.19–$533.652
VI$468.611
VT$456.691
WA$482.43–$547.362
WI$443.661
WV$423.651
WY$462.421

See 64635 in every payment locality

How the 64635 rate is calculated

Each of 64635’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 · 64635

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.24

3.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.39

10.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

13.9200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$464.94

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

The exact Rhode Island inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,182

Code
64635
Physician work
3.24
Practice expense
10.39
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

92

Locality
Rhode Island
Physician work
1.019
Practice expense
1.033
Malpractice
0.892
Office calculation for 64635 in Rhode Island
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.24× 1.0193.3016
Practice expense10.39× 1.03310.7329
Malpractice0.29× 0.8920.2587
Total RVUs14.2931
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Rhode Island$477.40

Office: (3.24 × 1.019 + 10.39 × 1.033 + 0.29 × 0.892) × $33.4009 = $477.40

Facility: (3.24 × 1.019 + 1.65 × 1.033 + 0.29 × 0.892) × $33.4009 = $175.85

Open 64635 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 64635

64635 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 64635

Facet nerve ablation, first lumbar or sacral joint

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
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 · 64635

Facet nerve ablation, first lumbar or sacral joint

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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

64635 without 50 · national office

$464.94

Facet nerve ablation, first lumbar or sacral joint

64635-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$697.41

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).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 64635

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

Codes related to 64635
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Rhode Island
Add-on codes
64636Facet nerve ablation, additional lumbar or sacral jointAdd-on code for each additional lumbar or sacral facet joint treated.$258.76
Used instead
64633Facet ablation, cervical/thoracic, first jointUsed for the first facet joint treated in the cervical or thoracic region.$471.15
64625Radiofrequency ablation, SI-joint innervationAblates nerves associated with the sacroiliac joint rather than lumbar or sacral facet joints.$508.92
64628Basivertebral ablation, first two lumbar or sacral bodiesTargets intraosseous basivertebral nerves for a different source of vertebral pain.No office rate

How 64635 has changed in Rhode Island

64635 · Office / nonfacility

$477.40

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $43.78 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $433.62 to $477.40 (10.1%).

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

    $433.62changed to$477.40

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.32 changed to 3.24
    • Practice expense RVU 9.39 changed to 10.39
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.849 changed to 0.892

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $455.04changed to$433.62

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.62 changed to 9.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $447.61changed to$455.04

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $464.03changed to$447.61

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.60 changed to 9.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.32
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.025
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.915 changed to 0.849

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $481.41changed to$464.03

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.74 changed to 9.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 0.915

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $449.77changed to$481.41

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Work RVU 3.78 changed to 3.32
    • Practice expense RVU 8.28 changed to 9.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $442.95changed to$449.77

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.68 changed to 8.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $441.33changed to$442.95

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.049
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.999 changed to 0.990

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $441.99changed to$441.33

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.72 changed to 7.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $437.72changed to$441.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.66 changed to 7.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.879 changed to 0.999

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $442.05changed to$437.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.84 changed to 7.66
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.025
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.052
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.759 changed to 0.879

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $437.11changed to$442.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.66 changed to 7.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $434.94changed to$437.11

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $452.20changed to$434.94

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.04 changed to 7.66
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.973 changed to 0.759

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$452.20

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$477.40$175.85RVU26D
2026-07-01$477.40$175.85RVU26C
2026-04-01$477.40$175.85RVU26B
2026-01-01$477.40$175.85RVU26A
2025-10-01$433.62$190.63RVU25D
2025-07-01$433.62$190.63RVU25C
2025-04-01$433.62$190.63RVU25B
2025-01-01$433.62$190.63RVU25A
2024-10-01$455.04$195.30RVU24D
2024-07-01$455.04$195.30RVU24C
2024-04-01$455.04$195.30RVU24B
2024-03-09$455.04$195.30RVU24AR
2024-01-01$447.61$192.11RVU24A
2023-10-01$464.03$196.57RVU23D
2023-07-01$464.03$196.57RVU23C
2023-04-01$464.03$196.57RVU23B
2023-01-01$464.03$196.57RVU23A
2022-10-01$481.41$199.98RVU22D
2022-07-01$481.41$199.98RVU22C
2022-04-01$481.41$199.98RVU22B
2022-01-01$481.41$199.98RVU22A
2021-10-01$449.77$232.19RVU21D
2021-07-01$449.77$232.19RVU21C
2021-04-01$449.77$232.19RVU21B
2021-01-01$449.77$232.19RVU21A
2020-10-01$442.95$237.00RVU20D
2020-07-01$442.95$237.00RVU20C
2020-04-01$442.95$237.00RVU20B
2020-01-01$442.95$237.00RVU20A
2019-10-01$441.33$236.23RVU19D
2019-07-01$441.33$236.23RVU19C
2019-04-01$441.33$236.23RVU19B
2019-01-01$441.33$236.23RVU19A
2018-10-01$441.99$237.12RVU18D
2018-07-01$441.99$237.12RVU18C
2018-04-01$441.99$237.12RVU18B
2018-01-01$441.99$237.12RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$437.72$235.35RVU17D
2017-07-01$437.72$235.35RVU17C
2017-04-01$437.72$235.35RVU17B
2017-01-01$437.72$235.35RVU17A
2016-10-01$442.05$235.82RVU16D
2016-07-01$442.05$235.82RVU16C
2016-04-01$442.05$235.82RVU16B
2016-01-01$442.05$235.82RVU16A
2015-10-01$437.11$236.57RVU15D
2015-07-01$437.11$236.57RVU15C
2015-04-01$434.94$235.39RVU15B
2015-01-01$434.94$235.39RVU15A
2014-10-01$452.20$239.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$452.20$239.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$452.20$239.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$452.20$239.08RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 64635 for an earlier date of service

Where the Rhode Island rate applies

Rhode Island is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 36 cities and communities in Rhode Island. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ashaway
  • Bradford
  • Carolina
  • Central Falls
  • Charlestown
  • Chepachet
  • Clayville
  • Cranston

Browse all communities in Rhode Island

64635 billing questions

When do I report 64635 instead of 64636?

Use 64635 for the first lumbar or sacral facet joint treated in the session. Use 64636 for each additional joint.

Does the code count nerves, lesions, or facet joints?

The reporting unit is the facet joint treated, not each nerve or lesion. Document the treated levels and laterality to support the unit count.

Can fluoroscopy or CT guidance be billed separately?

Imaging guidance is included in the ablation service described by this code. Do not report separate guidance for the same procedure.

How is bilateral treatment reported?

CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document treatment on both sides.

What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Related postoperative visits are included during the 10-day global period.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?

CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.

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 64635PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,182 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Rhode IslandGPCI2026.csv, line 92 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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