Billing code 22870: Spinal stabilizationMedicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports placement of a lumbar interspinous stabilization device at each additional segment when the initial segment is treated without decompression.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 22870 in Florida.
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 9 sections
What 22870 covers
This add-on represents placement of an interspinous stabilization or distraction device at an additional lumbar segment. A spine surgeon, commonly an orthopedic spine surgeon or neurosurgeon, places the implant between adjacent spinous processes to provide stabilization or distraction. The procedure is performed without decompression at the treated level; the initial lumbar level is represented by the corresponding primary procedure. These implants are typically placed in an operating room for selected degenerative lumbar conditions.
Report one unit for each additional lumbar segment beyond the initial level, with the operative report identifying the treated levels and documenting device placement without decompression. Pair the code with the primary procedure for the initial level, typically 22869. CMS classifies 22870 as an add-on code: it is billed only with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure’s global period.
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 22870 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | Unavailable | $106.77 |
| Miami | Unavailable | $112.32 |
| Rest Of Florida | Unavailable | $103.62 |
How the 22870 rate is calculated
Each of 22870’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 · 22870
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.28Practice expense 0.53Malpractice 0.21
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 22870
The CMS indicators that decide how 22870 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 22870
Spinal stabilization
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 2 | Permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 80 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
22870 without 80 · national facility
$100.87
Spinal stabilization
22870-80 · Assistant: 16%
$16.14
A physician assistant at surgery is paid 16% of the surgeon’s fee schedule amount.
22870 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
22870 vs 22869 vs 22868 vs 22867: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 22869Spinal stabilization
- 22869 reports the initial lumbar segment treated without decompression; 22870 reports each additional segment in that procedure.
- 22868Lumbar stabilization
- Use 22868 for each additional lumbar segment when decompression is performed. 22870 is for additional segments treated without decompression.
- 22867Spinal stabilization
- 22867 reports the initial lumbar segment when decompression is performed. For additional decompressed segments, the corresponding add-on is 22868, not 22870.
22870 billing questions
When is 22870 reported instead of 22869?
22869 represents the initial lumbar segment treated without decompression. Use 22870 for each additional lumbar segment treated in the same manner.
Can 22870 be billed by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the primary procedure for the initial segment, typically 22869.
How many units should be reported?
Report one unit for each additional lumbar segment beyond the initial segment. The operative documentation should identify the levels treated.
How does 22870 differ from 22868?
22870 is for an additional segment treated without decompression. 22868 is the additional-segment code for the corresponding procedure performed with decompression.
What documentation supports 22870?
Document the additional lumbar level or levels, the placement of the interspinous stabilization device, and that decompression was not performed at those levels.
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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