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Billing code 61868: DBS electrodeMedicare rate & RVUs

Reports each additional subcortical neurostimulator electrode array implanted during a procedure that uses intraoperative microelectrode recording.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026109 payment localities1.2K Medicare services in 2024

Medicare pays $455.92 for 61868 nationally in a facility.

Medicare rate · 61868

DBS electrode

Work RVUs
7.71
Total RVUs
13.65
Global days
ZZZ

National rate · 2026

$455.92

Facility setting, before claim adjustments.

See every locality for 61868 →Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →

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 10 sections
  1. Medicare rate
  2. What 61868 covers
  3. By payment locality
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Similar codes
  8. Related codes
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 61868 covers

A neurosurgeon reports 61868 for each additional subcortical neurostimulator electrode array implanted during the same operation as the primary electrode-placement service. The procedure uses intraoperative microelectrode recording and imaging guidance to support electrode placement. It is commonly part of deep brain stimulation surgery for conditions such as Parkinson disease, essential tremor, or dystonia, typically in a hospital operating room.

Report 61868 with the corresponding primary code, 61867, when the operative record supports placement of additional arrays beyond the primary service. The record should identify the arrays implanted and document use of intraoperative microelectrode recording. This is an add-on code: it is billed only with a primary procedure and is paid within that procedure’s global period. A separately implanted cranial pulse generator may be reported when performed and supported by its own documentation.

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 61868 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

61868 office and facility rates by payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaUnavailable$397.68
Alaska*Unavailable$541.95
ArizonaUnavailable$437.54
ArkansasUnavailable$390.72
AtlantaUnavailable$479.89
AustinUnavailable$449.33
BakersfieldUnavailable$427.16
Baltimore/Surr. CntysUnavailable$492.27
BeaumontUnavailable$440.12
BrazoriaUnavailable$433.36

61868 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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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
61868 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AKNo published base rate1
ALNo published base rate1
ARNo published base rate1
AZNo published base rate1
CANo published base rate29
CONo published base rate1
CTNo published base rate1
DCNo published base rate1
DENo published base rate1
FLNo published base rate3
GANo published base rate2
GUNo published base rate1
HINo published base rate1
IANo published base rate1
IDNo published base rate1
ILNo published base rate4
INNo published base rate1
KSNo published base rate1
KYNo published base rate1
LANo published base rate2
MANo published base rate2
MDNo published base rate3
MENo published base rate2
MINo published base rate2
MNNo published base rate1
MONo published base rate3
MSNo published base rate1
MTNo published base rate1
NCNo published base rate1
NDNo published base rate1
NENo published base rate1
NHNo published base rate1
NJNo published base rate2
NMNo published base rate1
NVNo published base rate1
NYNo published base rate5
OHNo published base rate1
OKNo published base rate1
ORNo published base rate2
PANo published base rate2
PRNo published base rate1
RINo published base rate1
SCNo published base rate1
SDNo published base rate1
TNNo published base rate1
TXNo published base rate8
UTNo published base rate1
VANo published base rate2
VINo published base rate1
VTNo published base rate1
WANo published base rate2
WINo published base rate1
WVNo published base rate1
WYNo published base rate1

How the 61868 rate is calculated

Each of 61868’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 · 61868

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Work7.71

7.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.70

2.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice3.24

3.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

13.6500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$455.92

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

Payment rules and modifiers for 61868

The CMS indicators that decide how 61868 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 61868

DBS electrode

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)2Paid.
Co-surgeons (62)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 80 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

61868 without 80 · national facility

$455.92

DBS electrode

61868-80 · Assistant: 16%

$72.95

A physician assistant at surgery is paid 16% of the surgeon’s fee schedule amount.

When to use modifier 80

61868 compared with similar codes

Compare codes · National

5 codes, side by side

  • 61868

    DBS electrode7.71 wRVU

    Not priced

  • 61867

    Neuroelectrode placement32.2 wRVU

    Not priced

  • 61864

    Brain electrode implant4.38 wRVU

    Not priced

  • 61863

    Brain electrode placement20.19 wRVU

    Not priced

  • 61886

    Neurostimulator generator9.68 wRVU

    Not priced

How to choose

61867Neuroelectrode placement
61867 is the primary electrode-placement service using intraoperative microelectrode recording. Use 61868 only for additional arrays placed with that primary service.
61864Brain electrode implant
61864 reports additional arrays when the procedure does not use intraoperative microelectrode recording; 61868 is for the recording pathway.
61863Brain electrode placement
61863 is the primary electrode-placement service without intraoperative microelectrode recording, rather than the additional-array add-on for the recording pathway.
61886Neurostimulator generator
61886 describes implantation or replacement of a cranial pulse generator for two or more arrays, not placement of an additional brain electrode array.

Codes related to 61868

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

Codes related to 61868
CodeHow it relatesNational office range
Primary code
61867Neuroelectrode placementPrimary electrode-placement service with intraoperative microelectrode recording.No office rate
Same family
61864Brain electrode implantAdditional-array counterpart for the pathway without intraoperative microelectrode recording.No office rate
Used instead
61863Brain electrode placementPrimary electrode-placement pathway when intraoperative microelectrode recording is not used.No office rate
Often billed with
61886Neurostimulator generatorCranial pulse generator service that may accompany electrode implantation in the same encounter.No office rate

61868 billing questions

Which primary code must accompany 61868?

Report 61868 with 61867, the primary electrode-placement service involving intraoperative microelectrode recording. It is not reported by itself.

How does 61868 differ from 61864?

Both describe an additional electrode array, but 61868 belongs to the pathway using intraoperative microelectrode recording; 61864 is the corresponding add-on when that recording is not used.

What documentation supports reporting an additional array?

The operative report should identify the additional array or arrays implanted and document the use of intraoperative microelectrode recording during electrode placement.

Can the pulse generator be reported with 61868?

A cranial neurostimulator pulse generator may be reported when it is implanted during the same encounter and the operative record supports that separate service. Code 61886 describes a generator service for two or more arrays.

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 61868PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,899 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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