CPT 22551
Global 090 ActiveArthrd ant ntrbdy cervical
CPT 22551 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 22551 (Arthrd ant ntrbdy cervical) is classified under Surgery (Musculoskeletal) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 24.38, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 15.43, and a malpractice RVU of 8.24, a total non-facility RVU of 48.05 and facility RVU of 48.05. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $1604.39, though rates vary from $1392.81 to $2046.86 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 22551, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 22551 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
90-day global period (major surgery: 1 day pre-op + procedure + 90 days post-op)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 22551 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 22551
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 24.38 | 24.38 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 15.43 | 15.43 |
| Malpractice RVU | 8.24 | 8.24 |
| Total RVU | 48.05 | 48.05 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 22551
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1602.59 | $1602.59 | $1540.53 - $1794.58 | 29 |
| Florida | $1867.17 | $1867.17 | $1720.67 - $2046.86 | 3 |
| Georgia | $1636.51 | $1636.51 | $1602.1 - $1670.92 | 2 |
| Illinois | $1841.1 | $1841.1 | $1715.03 - $1969.6 | 4 |
| Michigan | $1685.63 | $1685.63 | $1595.58 - $1775.68 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $1471.03 | $1471.03 | $1471.03 - $1471.03 | 1 |
| New York | $1802.06 | $1802.06 | $1497.4 - $1990.3 | 5 |
| Ohio | $1562.28 | $1562.28 | $1562.28 - $1562.28 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $1620.67 | $1620.67 | $1547.52 - $1693.82 | 2 |
| Texas | $1581.83 | $1581.83 | $1538.99 - $1711.3 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 22551
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 22551 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0333T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0464T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0709T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0901T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0903T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 22551
What does CPT code 22551 mean? +
CPT code 22551 represents: Arthrd ant ntrbdy cervical. It's in the Surgery (Musculoskeletal) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 22551? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 22551 is $1604.39. Rates range from $1392.81 to $2046.86 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 22551? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 22551? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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