Summary & Overview

CPT 62380: Endoscopic Single-Level Spinal Decompression/Discectomy

CPT code 62380 identifies a single-level endoscopic spinal decompression procedure in which a provider removes part or all of a bulging intervertebral disc and/or resects bony portions of adjacent vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. This minimally invasive approach is increasingly used for patients with symptomatic disc herniation or foraminal stenosis to reduce neural compression while limiting tissue disruption. Nationally, the code matters because it represents a growing category of endoscopic spine procedures that affect utilization, facility resource needs, and payer coverage determinations.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical indications and the typical site-of-service profile (hospital outpatient department and ambulatory surgery centers), plus insights into common billing considerations tied to single-level endoscopic decompression. The publication summarizes benchmarking and payment context where available, highlights relevant documentation elements for coding and claims processing, and outlines common modifiers used with endoscopic spine procedures. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

This resource is intended for policy analysts, coding professionals, and payer reviewers seeking a concise national summary of CPT code 62380, its clinical role, and the administrative factors that influence coverage and reimbursement discussions.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare62380CPTspine-surgeryendoscopic-surgerydiscectomyspinal-decompressionambulatory-surgeryoutpatient-surgery

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 62380 describes the endoscopic removal of all or part of a bulging intervertebral disc and/or excision of bony elements of surrounding vertebrae to decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots at a single interspace level. The procedure is an endoscopic spinal decompression (discectomy/foraminotomy) performed to relieve neural compression that causes back and/or radicular pain.

Service Type: Minimally invasive endoscopic spinal decompression / discectomy

Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or specialized endoscopy suite

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 45-year-old patient presents with progressive left-sided radicular leg pain, neurogenic claudication, and imaging demonstrating a contained posterolateral lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 causing nerve root compression. Conservative care including physical therapy, oral anti-inflammatories, and an epidural steroid injection provided insufficient relief over 6–12 weeks. The neurosurgeon evaluates the patient, reviews MRI findings confirming a focal disc herniation at a single interspace, obtains informed consent, and schedules an endoscopic decompression. In the operating suite the surgeon performs a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy at the affected interspace (62380) under fluoroscopic guidance with local or general anesthesia. Postoperatively the patient recovers in a same-day ambulatory surgery setting or short-stay hospital unit, receives standardized discharge instructions, and arranges follow-up for wound check and functional reassessment.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for `62380` (document rationale for increased effort).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2084P0805X`	Neurosurgery	Primary specialty performing endoscopic lumbar discectomy.
`207SX0102X`	Orthopaedic Surgery - Spine	Spine-focused orthopedic surgeons who perform endoscopic decompression.
`363LP0800X`	Pain Medicine	Interventional pain physicians who may perform endoscopic spinal decompression in select practices.
`2085R0201X`	Neurological Surgery - Spine	Subspecialty taxonomy for spine-focused neurosurgeons.
`207XS0113X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	General orthopaedic surgeons with spine training who perform endoscopic procedures.

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M51.26`	Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region	Directly indicates a lumbar disc herniation or displacement treated by decompression.
`M51.27`	Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region	Indicates disc displacement at the lumbosacral junction amenable to endoscopic discectomy.
`M51.36`	Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region	Degenerative disc disease that can produce radiculopathy and need for decompression.
`M51.37`	Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region	Degenerative changes at L5-S1 that may contribute to nerve root compression.
`M54.16`	Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region	Symptom-based diagnosis commonly driving surgical decompression for nerve root compression.
`M48.06`	Spinal stenosis, lumbar region	Lumbar spinal canal narrowing causing neurogenic claudication which may be treated with decompression.
`G55.1`	Lumbosacral plexus disorders	Less common but relevant when plexus compression symptoms lead to surgical intervention.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`62287`	Decompression procedure, percutaneous, of the spine, lumbar, using endoscopic techniques; single interspace	Alternative endoscopic decompression code that may be used depending on technique and coding guidance.
`63030`	Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), includes partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or foraminoplasty (single vertebral segment; lumbar)	May be performed as an open or microscopic decompressive alternative to endoscopic discectomy when a larger decompression is required.
`22558`	Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; lumbar	May be performed in the same episode if instability or fusion is indicated after decompression.
`69990`	Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of an operating microscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)	May be billed in cases where microsurgical visualization supplements endoscopic technique, per payer rules.
`76000`	Fluoroscopy, up to 1 hour physician or technician time, intervention guidance	Often used intraoperatively for level localization and instrument guidance during `62380`.
`99152`	Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician performing the procedure (initial 30 minutes)	If moderate sedation is provided by the physician in addition to the procedure, billed per CPT guidance.

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