CPT 61608
Global 090 ActiveResect/excise cranial lesion
CPT 61608 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 61608 (Resect/excise cranial lesion) is classified under Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 44.4, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 32.16, and a malpractice RVU of 18.09, a total non-facility RVU of 94.65 and facility RVU of 94.65. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $3151.51, though rates vary from $2698.16 to $4129.29 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 61608, 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 61608 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 61608 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 61608
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 44.4 | 44.4 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 32.16 | 32.16 |
| Malpractice RVU | 18.09 | 18.09 |
| Total RVU | 94.65 | 94.65 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 61608
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 | $3134.87 | $3134.87 | $3009.37 - $3518.95 | 29 |
| Florida | $3736.97 | $3736.97 | $3418.06 - $4129.29 | 3 |
| Georgia | $3232.94 | $3232.94 | $3161.4 - $3304.48 | 2 |
| Illinois | $3680.78 | $3680.78 | $3408.12 - $3959.61 | 4 |
| Michigan | $3342.1 | $3342.1 | $3145.89 - $3538.3 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $2871.3 | $2871.3 | $2871.3 - $2871.3 | 1 |
| New York | $3573.14 | $3573.14 | $2928.23 - $3977.14 | 5 |
| Ohio | $3072.78 | $3072.78 | $3072.78 - $3072.78 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $3194.42 | $3194.42 | $3040.08 - $3348.75 | 2 |
| Texas | $3109.93 | $3109.93 | $3021.82 - $3392.93 | 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 61608
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 61608 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 |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 61608
What does CPT code 61608 mean? +
CPT code 61608 represents: Resect/excise cranial lesion. It's in the Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 61608? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 61608 is $3151.51. Rates range from $2698.16 to $4129.29 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 61608? +
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 61608? +
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 June 1, 2026.
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