ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BR49 includes procedures performed to image anatomy or flow information in the lumbar spine. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when ultrasonography of the lumbar spine is performed for diagnostic evaluation, guidance, or monitoring. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BR49 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the imaging procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Get alerted when relevant policies change without checking for updates manually.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Lumbar Spine Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Procedures in this group involve real time display of images developed from reflected high frequency sound waves directed at the lumbar spine, part of the axial skeleton. These procedures use ultrasonography to visualize bone surface relationships, soft tissues, and flow information in the lumbar region. Accurate coding of these imaging procedures ensures the inpatient record reflects the diagnostic service provided and supports appropriate case mix grouping and reimbursement.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
R	Body System	Axial Skeleton, Except Skull and Facial Bones
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
9	Body Part	Lumbar Spine

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Get alerted when relevant policies change without checking for updates manually.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Lumbar Spine Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
R	Body System	Axial Skeleton, Except Skull and Facial Bones
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
9	Body Part	Lumbar Spine

When to Use

Use a code from this group when ultrasonography of the lumbar spine is performed during an inpatient encounter for diagnostic imaging or procedural guidance. Select the code that best reflects the use of ultrasonography on the lumbar spine as documented in the medical record.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BR49ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Lumbar Spine

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient admitted from the emergency department after a fall with acute low back pain and suspected paraspinal hematoma or soft-tissue injury; neurologic exam is non-focal but pain and swelling limit mobility, so inpatient clinicians order real-time ultrasonography of the lumbar spine to evaluate for superficial hematoma, guide analgesic injection, or monitor soft-tissue changes. Typical codes: BR49ZZZ
A hospitalized patient with chronic lumbar radiculopathy undergoing planned bedside imaging to guide corticosteroid or local anesthetic injection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; ultrasonography is used in real time to visualize lumbar paraspinal soft tissues and needle placement before and during the procedure. Typical codes: BR49ZZZ
A postoperative inpatient who develops localized swelling and suspected seroma at a recent lumbar surgical site; bedside lumbar spine ultrasonography is performed to characterize the fluid collection, distinguish seroma from abscess, and assist aspiration if indicated. Typical codes: BR49ZZZ

Related Codes

BR40-CERVICAL-SPINE-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR47-THORACIC-SPINE-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR4F-SACRUM-AND-COCCYX-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacrum And Coccyx: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BR49ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Lumbar Spine

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient admitted from the emergency department after a fall with acute low back pain and suspected paraspinal hematoma or soft-tissue injury; neurologic exam is non-focal but pain and swelling limit mobility, so inpatient clinicians order real-time ultrasonography of the lumbar spine to evaluate for superficial hematoma, guide analgesic injection, or monitor soft-tissue changes. Typical codes: BR49ZZZ
A hospitalized patient with chronic lumbar radiculopathy undergoing planned bedside imaging to guide corticosteroid or local anesthetic injection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; ultrasonography is used in real time to visualize lumbar paraspinal soft tissues and needle placement before and during the procedure. Typical codes: BR49ZZZ
A postoperative inpatient who develops localized swelling and suspected seroma at a recent lumbar surgical site; bedside lumbar spine ultrasonography is performed to characterize the fluid collection, distinguish seroma from abscess, and assist aspiration if indicated. Typical codes: BR49ZZZ

Related Codes

BR40-CERVICAL-SPINE-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR47-THORACIC-SPINE-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR4F-SACRUM-AND-COCCYX-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacrum And Coccyx: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Lumbar Spine Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Lumbar Spine Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code(s) represent ultrasonography of the lumbar spine?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is lumbar spine ultrasonography coded?

For what clinical purposes is code `BR49ZZZ` used in inpatient documentation?

What operation qualifier describes procedures in the BR49 code group?

Why is precise coding of `BR49ZZZ` important for inpatient records?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code(s) represent ultrasonography of the lumbar spine?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is lumbar spine ultrasonography coded?

For what clinical purposes is code `BR49ZZZ` used in inpatient documentation?

What operation qualifier describes procedures in the BR49 code group?

Why is precise coding of `BR49ZZZ` important for inpatient records?

References