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CPT 62323: Image-Guided Lumbar/Sacral Epidural Injection
CPT code 62323 denotes an image-guided injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral spine using a needle or catheter. This procedure is a common intervention for radicular pain, spinal stenosis, and other lower back conditions and is widely performed across ambulatory surgery centers, hospital outpatient departments, and office-based procedure suites. Nationally, epidural injections represent a frequently billed interventional pain-management service and influence utilization, coverage policies, and practice patterns for spine care.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical indications and typical service settings, comparisons to related epidural and transforaminal injection codes, and the common administrative considerations that affect coverage and billing. The publication also summarizes associated ICD-10 diagnoses commonly reported with this service to clarify clinical context.
The material is designed to inform coding staff, billing managers, and policy analysts about the clinical scope of CPT code 62323, its placement among related epidural injection codes, and the payers most often involved in coverage decisions. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62323 describes the injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the epidural space surrounding spinal nerves in the lumbar or sacral regions under imaging guidance. The procedure involves insertion of a needle or catheter to deliver agents such as local anesthetic, steroid, or other therapeutic or diagnostic medications.
Service type: Image-guided epidural injection (lumbar/sacral), needle or catheter placement with injection.
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient department, or office-based procedure suite where fluoroscopic or other imaging guidance is available.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare’s national mean of $284.10 sits notably below BUCA’s average commercial benchmark of $581.40, indicating that commercial contracts captured by BUCA pay roughly twice Medicare on average for CPT 62323. That gap highlights a substantial premium in commercial pricing versus the federal program for this procedure.
Dispersion (P75–P25) varies meaningfully across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield shows the widest interquartile spread at $675.00 ($1,119.70–$420.00), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $259.10 ($460.20–$210.10) and Cigna at $236.60 ($385.60–$149.00). Aetna displays a tighter spread of $165.10 ($264.40–$92.60), while BUCA’s IQR is $497.80 ($798.40–$304.60). Medicare’s IQR is narrow at $33.00 ($295.00–$262.00). These differences reflect substantial variation in commercial contract outcomes versus Medicare.