CPT
60500 — Parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid gland
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Surgery & procedures
62323 — Lumbar/sacral epidural; diagnostic or therapeutic, imaging guidance
This code covers a lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) performed under imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT).
- Typical setting: Doctor's office, hospital outpatient
- National avg charge (illustrative): $155-$380 Medicare allowed (approx. $175-$310 national Medicare average; commercial payers $250-$550+)
- Most-disputed reason: Separate billing of fluoroscopy/imaging: imaging guidance is included in 62323 — separately billing fluoroscopic guidance code 77003 on the same day constitutes unbundling
What it means
What 62323 actually means
This code covers a lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) performed under imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT). A physician injects corticosteroids into the epidural space of the lower spine to reduce inflammation and relieve pain from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy. The imaging guidance is included in this code.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Separate billing of fluoroscopy/imaging: imaging guidance is included in 62323 — separately billing fluoroscopic guidance code 77003 on the same day constitutes unbundling
- Billing 62323 vs. 62321: 62321 covers cervical/thoracic epidural injections while 62323 covers lumbar/sacral — using the wrong code for the spine level is a billing error
- Frequency abuse: some payers limit coverage to a specified number of injections per year — billing beyond the covered frequency without documentation of exceptional medical necessity can trigger audits
If you see 62323 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 62323 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
64483 — Epidural injection, lumbar/sacral, single level
Common procedure with frequent coding errors around bilateral and fluoroscopy.
CPT
64493 — Paravertebral facet joint/nerve, lumbar or sacral; single level
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
66984 — Extracapsular cataract removal with intraocular lens prosthesis, one stage
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
69210 — Removal of impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, one or both ears
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 62323 on a bill.
62323 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 62323 usually cost?
$155-$380 Medicare allowed (approx. $175-$310 national Medicare average; commercial payers $250-$550+). Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 62323?
Separate billing of fluoroscopy/imaging: imaging guidance is included in 62323 — separately billing fluoroscopic guidance code 77003 on the same day constitutes unbundling
What should I do if I see 62323 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 62323 before paying.
Don't pay 62323 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.