Billing code 61885: Neurostimulator generatorMedicare rate & RVUs in Guam
Reports insertion or replacement of a cranial neurostimulator generator or receiver connected to one electrode array, commonly in deep brain stimulation.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 61885 in Guam.
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 61885 covers
A neurosurgeon inserts or replaces the pulse generator or receiver for a cranial neurostimulation system and connects it to one electrode array. This service is commonly part of deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, such as Parkinson disease or essential tremor. The generator is typically placed in a subcutaneous pocket and connected to the implanted intracranial lead; the electrode-implantation procedure is distinct. These operations are generally performed in a hospital operating room.
Select this code when the generator or receiver service connects to one array; use the related generator code for two or more arrays. The operative report should support whether the device was newly inserted or replaced and document the array connection. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and the others at 50%. For a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50, payment is 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented 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.
61885 in Hawaii, Guam
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii, Guam | Unavailable | $562.66 |
How the 61885 rate is calculated
Each of 61885’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 · 61885
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 5.90Practice expense 8.42Malpractice 2.37
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 61885
61885 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 61885
Neurostimulator generator
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.11/0.76/0.13 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 61885
Neurostimulator generator
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
61885 without 50 · national facility
$557.46
Neurostimulator generator
61885-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$836.19
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).
61885 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
61885 vs 61886 vs 61888 vs 61867: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 61886Neurostimulator generator
- Choose 61885 for connection to one electrode array; choose 61886 when the generator or receiver connects to two or more arrays.
- 61888Neurostimulator surgery
- 61885 covers insertion or replacement of the generator or receiver. 61888 is for revision or removal rather than insertion or replacement.
- 61867Neuroelectrode placement
- 61867 reports stereotactic implantation of a subcortical electrode array. 61885 reports the generator or receiver service and its connection to one array.
61885 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 61886?
This code is for a generator or receiver connected to one electrode array. Code 61886 is the related choice when the connection is to two or more arrays.
Does this code include implantation of the brain electrode?
It represents the generator or receiver service and its connection to the array. When intracranial electrode implantation is also performed, the applicable electrode-placement code may be reported for that distinct service.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
Document insertion or replacement of the generator or receiver and the connection to one electrode array. The operative note should make clear the number of arrays connected.
How does the global period affect postoperative billing?
The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. CMS applies the multiple-procedure reduction when other procedures are performed in the same session.
Can modifier 50 be used for a bilateral service?
When the service is bilateral and reported with modifier 50, CMS pays it at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity.
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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