Billing code 61868: DBS electrodeMedicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
Reports each additional subcortical neurostimulator electrode array implanted during a procedure that uses intraoperative microelectrode recording.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 61868 in Virginia.
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 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 in Virginia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | Unavailable | $498.11 |
| Virginia | Unavailable | $422.57 |
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
| 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) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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
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.
61868 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
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.
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
Fee sheets
Put 61868 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.
Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →