CPT code 64790: Nerve tumor removal, major peripheral nerve2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 64790 in California.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 64790 covers

This code describes operative removal of a neurofibroma or schwannoma arising from a major peripheral nerve, excluding the sciatic nerve. A peripheral nerve, neurosurgical, or orthopedic surgeon typically exposes the involved nerve and removes the tumor, taking care to distinguish the mass from functioning nerve fascicles. The service may occur in a hospital or other surgical setting; the code is not for a superficial cutaneous nerve lesion or an ordinary traumatic neuroma.

Select the code based on the operative findings, the involved nerve, and the extent of tumor removal. Documentation should identify the nerve and lesion, describe the excision, and support that the lesion is a nerve sheath tumor rather than a neuroma. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery and co-surgeon payment require supporting documentation; 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 64790 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 64790 rate is calculated

Each of 64790’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 64790

64790 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

64790 compared with similar codes

How to choose

64784Neuroma excisionSciatic nerve

Choose 64784 for a neuroma of a major peripheral nerve other than the sciatic nerve. Choose 64790 for removal of a neurofibroma or schwannoma in that nerve.

64792Neuroma excisionCranial nerve

This code applies to nerve sheath tumor removal that is not described as extensive. Code 64792 represents the extensive form, including peripheral nerve involvement.

64788Nerve tumor excisionCutaneous nerve

Code 64788 is for a cutaneous nerve lesion. This code applies when the tumor involves a major peripheral nerve.

64795Nerve biopsyDiagnostic tissue sampling

Code 64795 represents biopsy of a nerve for diagnostic tissue sampling. This code is for operative removal of a nerve sheath tumor.

Codes related to 64790

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates