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    OpenPayerBilling CodesInjection, Drainage, or Aspiration Procedures on the Spine and Spinal CordCPT cpt-62290-discography-discogram-disc-stimulation
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    CPT 62290: Diagnostic Discography (Contrast Injection of Nucleus Pulposus)

    Medicare pays $384 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 62290 describes a diagnostic discography procedure in which contrast is injected into the nucleus pulposus to visualize the intervertebral disc space and help identify disc damage causing neck or back pain; service type: diagnostic spinal injection/discogram, typical site of service: hospital outpatient or ambulatory surgery center (spine/radiology suite).

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 41-year-old patient with chronic axial low back pain radiating intermittently to the buttock and groin presents after conservative care (physical therapy, NSAIDs, and epidural steroid injections) failed to provide durable relief. MRI shows multilevel disc degeneration with a suspected symptomatic disc at L4-L5 correlating with the pain distribution. The pain specialist schedules a diagnostic lumbar discography to identify the pain-generating disc prior to considering surgical fusion or targeted endoscopic intervention. During the outpatient procedure in an ambulatory surgery center, the patient is positioned prone, monitored with continuous ECG and pulse oximetry, and given conscious sedation. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a spinal needle is advanced into the nucleus pulposus of the target disc(s). Contrast is injected into each disc while the patient reports provoked pain responses; images are obtained to document disc morphology and annular disruption. Post-procedure, the patient is observed for hemodynamic stability and neurologic changes, provided discharge instructions, and given arrangements for follow-up surgical planning if the discogram reproduces concordant pain.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    62290Injection procedure of nucleus pulposus (discography), including imaging and multiple disc levels as indicatedPrimary procedure described
    62310Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (e.g., anesthetic, corticosteroid), including needle or catheter placement, lumbar or sacral, single level; without imaging guidanceMay be performed before or after for diagnostic analgesia or therapeutic injections if indicated
    72275Discography, lumbar, radiological supervision and interpretationOften reported for the imaging interpretation component when billed separately
    72291Discography, cervical or thoracic, with imagingRelated anatomic-level discography code for other spine regions when testing levels outside lumbar
    63030Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), single segment; lumbarSurgical option considered if discography identifies symptomatic disc for operative decompression or fusion
    22851Application of interbody fusion device with interbody technique including disc space distraction; lumbarPotential subsequent surgical fusion procedure planned based on positive discography

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    207L00000X
    208D00000X
    246XC2903X
    171W00000X
    385H00000X
    347B00000X
    261QS1200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G89.21Chronic pain due to trauma
    G89.29Other chronic pain
    M47.816Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.817Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
    M48.05Spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar region
    M48.07Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M50.21Other cervical disc displacement, high cervical region
    M51.16Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M51.17Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-62263-EPIDURAL-NEUROLYSIS-ADHESIOLYSIS-RACZ-CATHETER

    CPT 62263: Epidural Adhesiolysis (Racz Catheter), Multi-Session

    CPT-62264-EPIDURAL-NEUROLYSIS-RACZ-CATHETER-ADHESION-LYSIS

    CPT 62264: Epidural Adhesiolysis (Racz Catheter)

    CPT-62267-INTERVERTEBRAL-DISC-PARAVERTEBRAL-ASPIRATION

    CPT 62267: Intervertebral Disc or Paravertebral Aspiration

    CPT-62268-SPINAL-CYST-SYRINX-ASPIRATION

    CPT 62268: Aspiration of Spinal Cord Cyst or Syrinx

    CPT-62269-SPINAL-CORD-NEEDLE-BIOPSY

    CPT 62269: Percutaneous Spinal Cord Needle Biopsy

    CPT-62270-DIAGNOSTIC-SPINAL-PUNCTURE-CSF-SAMPLING

    CPT 62270: Diagnostic Spinal Puncture for CSF Sampling

    CPT-62272-LUMBAR-PUNCTURE-SPINAL-TAP-CSF-WITHDRAWAL

    CPT 62272: Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) for CSF Removal

    CPT-62273-EPIDURAL-BLOOD-PATCH-FOR-CSF-LEAK

    CPT 62273: Epidural Blood Patch for CSF Leak

    CPT-62280-NEUROLYTIC-SUBARACHNOID-INJECTION-FOR-SEVERE-PAIN

    CPT 62280: Subarachnoid Neurolytic Injection

    CPT-62281-CERVICAL-THORACIC-EPIDURAL-NEUROLYTIC-INJECTION

    CPT 62281: Cervical/Thoracic Epidural Neurolytic Injection

    Showing 1–10 of 30

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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.
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