Summary & Overview
CPT 62284: Lumbar Subarachnoid Contrast Injection for Myelography
CPT code 62284 denotes a diagnostic lumbar subarachnoid contrast injection used to image the spinal cord, nerve roots, and meninges. Nationally, this code captures procedures performed to evaluate lumbar spine pathology when intrathecal contrast is required for detailed myelographic imaging. The procedure is clinically important for diagnosing compressive lesions, CSF flow abnormalities, and nerve root impingement when conventional imaging is inconclusive.
Key payers included in the coverage discussion are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and typical sites of service, as well as a summary of common billing considerations and the set of modifiers frequently applied to this procedure. The publication outlines benchmark and policy-relevant topics such as payer coverage patterns, documentation expectations for imaging-guided spinal contrast injections, and coding scenarios that commonly affect claim adjudication.
This national summary is intended for coding professionals, revenue cycle staff, and clinicians seeking a clear reference on the clinical purpose and billing landscape for CPT code 62284. Data not available in the input where payer-specific rates or utilization benchmarks would normally appear.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62284 describes the injection of contrast into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar spine to perform imaging of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and meninges of the lumbar region. This procedure is a diagnostic spinal contrast injection performed to visualize neural structures and assess pathology affecting the lumbar subarachnoid space.
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Service type: Diagnostic lumbar myelographic contrast injection
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgical center, or radiology suite where fluoroscopic or CT-guided spinal imaging is performed
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old patient presents with progressive lower back pain, radicular symptoms down the left leg, intermittent numbness, and signs suspicious for cauda equina compression after prior conservative management failed. Neurologic exam shows decreased left ankle reflex and sensory deficit in an L5 distribution. The clinical team orders lumbar myelography with intrathecal contrast to better visualize nerve root impingement and cerebrospinal fluid flow prior to possible surgical decompression. The patient is evaluated in the radiology or neurosurgery clinic, consents for the procedure, and is brought to the fluoroscopy suite. Under sterile technique, the provider identifies the appropriate lumbar interspace, performs a lumbar puncture, injects contrast into the subarachnoid space, and obtains fluoroscopic images and radiographs to evaluate the spinal cord, nerve roots, and meninges. Post-procedure, the patient is monitored for headache, vital sign stability, and any neurologic changes before discharge with post-myelography instructions and follow-up arranged with the referring provider.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the physician interpretation component separate from technical services if imaging equipment and technologist services billed by facility. |