49215 Excise sacral spine tumor
Also known as: sacral tumor resection, sacral spine tumor excision, chordoma excision
Open excision of sacral spine neoplasm with en bloc resection and reconstruction as indicated.
In Plain Language
surgical removal of tailbone tumor; excision of sacred bone cancer
Clinical Context
Open surgical excision of neoplastic lesions involving the sacral spine. Common indication is chordoma or other primary sacral tumors requiring en bloc resection for complete oncologic removal.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 36.86 |
| Total RVU | 36.86 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 36.86, this code ranks in the 96th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.6x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49215?
CPT 49215 (Excise sacral spine tumor) is a Surgery code. Open excision of sacral spine neoplasm with en bloc resection and reconstruction as indicated.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49215?
The work RVU for CPT 49215 is 36.86. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Spine Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49215 used?
Open surgical excision of neoplastic lesions involving the sacral spine. Common indication is chordoma or other primary sacral tumors requiring en bloc resection for complete oncologic removal.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.