CPT CODESurgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear)Status A

CPT Code 61315Complete Billing & Coding Guide (2026)Crnec/crnot ittl ntracereblr

Reviewed by AAPC-Certified Coders2026 Medicare Fee ScheduleCMS + AMA Sources
Medicare Payment
$2017
Non-facility · National avg
Facility
$2017
Total RVU
60.39
Global
090
Payment
$2017
non-facility
Work RVU
28.91
physician effort
Global Period
090
post-op days
Bundling Edits
10
NCCI pairs
Last reviewed: May 2026Reviewed by the Go Medical Billing Editorial TeamAAPC-certified coders

About CPT 61315

CPT 61315 is a Current Procedural Terminology code in the Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) category maintained by the American Medical Association. The CMS short descriptor reads "Crnec/crnot ittl ntracereblr". For the full AMA long descriptor and clinical guidance, refer to the current CPT code manual.

Major surgical codes carry a 90-day global period that bundles all related post-operative care. Improper billing of post-op E/M (without modifier 24 for unrelated care) is a common audit finding. Documentation of medical necessity for the procedure itself remains the foundation of any successful claim.

Pro Tip

CPT 61315 has a 90-day global period. Any E/M visit within that window for the same condition is bundled into the procedure payment. Use modifier 24 for unrelated E/M, modifier 79 for unrelated procedures, and modifier 78 for related returns to the OR.

Code Properties

Global Period
090
90-day global period
Status Indicator
A
Active. Payment under Medicare PFS.
Conversion Factor
$33.4009
CMS national rate
Effective Date
2026-04-01
per CMS publication

RVU Breakdown

Every CPT code’s Medicare payment is calculated from three Relative Value Unit components: physician work, practice expense, and malpractice. Together they multiply by the conversion factor to produce the payment amount.

RVU Composition
60.39 total RVU
28.91
19.26
12.22
Work RVU
28.91 · 48%
Physician time + skill
Practice Expense
19.26 · 32%
Office & equipment
Malpractice
12.22 · 20%
Liability insurance
Non-Facility
Private office · urgent care · ambulatory
Most billed
$2017.08
60.39 RVU × $33.4009 CF
Facility
Hospital · ASC · nursing home
$2017.08
60.39 RVU × $33.4009 CF

Payment = Total RVU × Conversion Factor ($33.4009) × Geographic Adjustment (GPCI). National averages shown. Actual payment varies by locality.

Medicare Payment by State

Medicare adjusts payment by locality based on GPCI (Geographic Practice Cost Index). Higher cost-of-living areas like California and New York pay more. Rural states pay less. Top 12 states shown.

FL
$2406
IL
$2371
AK
$2358
NY
$2284
DC
$2230
NJ
$2182
CT
$2172
MI
$2144
WV
$2109
MD
$2089
GA
$2069
MA
$2060

Showing top 12 of 53 states. Full locality data available in CMS PFS Locality file.

NCCI Bundling Edits

10 pairs

These codes trigger National Correct Coding Initiative edits when billed with 61315. An indicator of 0 means the pair cannot be unbundled. Indicator 1 means modifier 59 or X-modifiers may allow separate billing with supporting documentation.

Featured pair
NCCI Bundling Verdict

61315 + 0213T: hard bundle (indicator 0)

The most-asked bundling question on this code. Verdict pulled from the current NCCI quarterly file.

Modifier indicator 0 means this edit cannot be bypassed. Do not append modifier 59 or X-modifiers. The bundled code must be written off, or, if clinically inappropriate, the entire claim reconsidered.

NCCI Rationale

Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code

Live NCCI verdict, updated quarterly against the CMS file.Check another pair
Common Denial Risk

Billing 61315 alongside a bundled code without the correct modifier generates CARC 97 denials. Payers often flag these as audit risks. Document medical necessity for the separate service and apply modifier 59 or the appropriate X-modifier (XE, XS, XP, XU) only when clinically justified.

AR Recovery Note

Multi-procedure NCCI edits hit surgical specialties harder than any other category. CO-97 denials on 61315 are frequently recoverable when the operative note documents distinct anatomic sites or staged steps. Our coders read the op note against the edit pair and pick the right modifier (XS preferred over modifier 59 for distinct structures).

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Got a CO-97 on 61315 and 0213T? Send us the EOB before you write it off.

Indicator 0 means no modifier bypasses the edit. A real coder should confirm before the charge is written off. Some look-alike edits get appealed successfully on documentation grounds.

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Applicable Modifiers

Modifiers commonly paired with 61315 based on its category. Apply only when the clinical circumstance warrants. Incorrect modifier use is a top audit target.

22
Increased procedural services — work substantially greater than typically required
When to use · When the work required for a procedure is substantially more than usual (e.g., morbid obesity, extensive adhesions, unusual anatomy). Request additional payment.
33
Preventive services — when the primary purpose is delivery of an evidence-based service per USPSTF A or B recommendation
When to use · Screening services (colonoscopy, mammography, etc.) to indicate the primary purpose is preventive. Waives cost-sharing under ACA.
50
Bilateral procedure — performed on both sides of the body during the same operative session
When to use · When a procedure is performed on both sides (e.g., bilateral knee injections, bilateral cataract surgery). Payment = 150% of unilateral rate.
51
Multiple procedures — when multiple procedures (other than E/M) are performed at the same session
When to use · Second and subsequent procedures during the same session. Payment is typically reduced to 50% for the 2nd procedure, 25% for the 3rd+.
52
Reduced services — when a procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the physician's discretion
When to use · When a procedure is not completed to its full extent (e.g., incomplete colonoscopy that didn't reach cecum). Payment reduced by payer discretion.
53
Discontinued procedure — physician elected to terminate/discontinue a procedure due to patient risk
When to use · When a surgical procedure is started but discontinued due to patient safety concerns (e.g., anesthesia complications, intraoperative findings).
54
Surgical care only
When to use · When the surgeon provided ONLY the surgery, not pre/post op care
55
Postoperative management only
When to use · When you managed post-op but another physician performed the surgery
AR Recovery Note

Modifier 24, 79, 78, and 58 on global-period claims are the highest-recovery surgical billing levers. 61315 carries a 090 global indicator. Our team flags every encounter inside an active global period for the right modifier decision.

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Wrong modifier, missing documentation, bundling without justification, stale ICD-10 linkage: these are the silent revenue killers on Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) claims. Our AAPC-certified team audits your last 90 days of 61315 claims, surfaces the recoverable dollars, and appeals them. Free, no obligation.

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FAQ

Everything about CPT 61315

What does CPT code 61315 cover?

CPT 61315 is a Current Procedural Terminology code in the Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) category maintained by the American Medical Association. The CMS short descriptor reads "Crnec/crnot ittl ntracereblr". For the full AMA long descriptor and clinical guidance, refer to the current CPT code manual.

What is the Medicare payment for CPT 61315?

The national average Medicare payment for CPT 61315 is approximately $2017.08 in a non-facility setting and $2017.08 in a facility setting. Actual payment varies by locality based on GPCI adjustments. Total RVU is 60.39 with a conversion factor of $33.4009.

What is the global period for CPT 61315?

CPT 61315 has a 90-day global period (indicator 090). Routine post-op care for the next 90 days is bundled into the procedure payment, including all related E/M visits. Bill modifier 24 for unrelated E/M, modifier 79 for unrelated procedures, or modifier 78 for related returns to the OR during this window.

What codes bundle with CPT 61315?

CPT 61315 has NCCI Procedure-to-Procedure edits with 10+ codes including 0213T, 0216T, 0333T. Modifier indicator 0 means the edit cannot be bypassed. Indicator 1 means modifier 59 or X-modifiers may allow separate billing with documentation.

CMS Medicare Physician Fee ScheduleNCCI Edits · Current QuarterAMA CPT Code Set

CPT codes and descriptions are copyright of the American Medical Association. RVU values reflect current CMS publications. Actual payment varies by locality. Commercial payer rates vary by contract.

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We audit your last 90 days of claims and surface the revenue leakage: wrong modifiers, missed bundling appeals, ICD-10 specificity gaps. AAPC-certified coders. 2.49% of collections. No setup fees.