Billing code 64624: Genicular nerve ablationMedicare rate & RVUs in Washington
Reports neurolytic treatment of three or more genicular nerve branches, commonly by radiofrequency lesioning for persistent knee pain.
Medicare pays $427.55–$487.06 for 64624 in the office in Washington, from Rest Of Washington to Seattle (King Cnty). Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 64624 covers
This procedure destroys genicular nerve branches that carry pain signals from the knee, most commonly through radiofrequency lesioning. Interventional pain physicians and other clinicians who perform image-guided pain procedures use it for selected patients with persistent knee pain, including pain associated with osteoarthritis. The code covers treatment of three or more genicular nerve branches and includes imaging guidance when performed.
Report the code once for the treated knee when three or more branches are destroyed; treatment of only one or two genicular branches is generally reported with 64640 instead. The procedure note should identify the treated side and branches, the neurolytic technique, and any imaging guidance. A 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 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.
Where 64624 pays more and less in Washington
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Rest Of Washington | $427.55 | $134.93 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $487.06 | $146.08 |
How the 64624 rate is calculated
Each of 64624’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 · 64624
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.44
2.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.65
9.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.22
0.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
12.3100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$411.17
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 64624
64624 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 64624
Genicular nerve ablation
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 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) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 64624
Genicular nerve ablation
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
64624 without 50 · national office
$411.17
Genicular nerve ablation
64624-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$616.76
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).
64624 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 64640Nerve treatment
- Choose 64624 for destruction of three or more genicular nerve branches. For one or two genicular branches, 64640 is generally used.
- 64625Radiofrequency ablation
- 64625 treats nerves associated with the sacroiliac joint; 64624 treats genicular nerve branches supplying the knee.
- 64633Facet ablation
- 64633 is for neurolytic denervation of cervical or thoracic facet joints. It does not describe knee genicular nerve treatment.
- 64635Facet nerve ablation
- 64635 is for neurolytic denervation of lumbar or sacral facet joints. Use 64624 for qualifying genicular nerve destruction at the knee.
64624 billing questions
How many genicular nerve branches qualify for 64624?
Use 64624 when the procedure destroys three or more genicular nerve branches. For destruction of only one or two branches, 64640 is generally the relevant code.
Is imaging guidance separately reported?
Imaging guidance, when performed for the genicular nerve destruction, is included in 64624.
How should bilateral treatment be reported?
Use modifier 50 for bilateral treatment. CMS pays bilateral 64624 at 150%.
What is included in the global period?
Related postoperative visits for 10 days after the procedure are included in the 10-day global period.
How are other same-session procedures paid?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures performed in the same session are paid at 50%.
What documentation supports reporting 64624?
Document the treated knee and side, the genicular branches destroyed, and the neurolytic technique. Include details of imaging guidance when it is 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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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