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Describe a service in plain words, or type a CPT/HCPCS code.

Medicare's 500 most-billed CPT codes of 2019

In CY2019 Medicare paid $85.2B across these 500 CPT codes. 99214 (Long Follow-Up Office Visit) leads every measure: 27.2M beneficiaries and $10.9B allowed. Below the top few the rankings split apart. The codes that reach the most patients are rarely the ones that move the most money.

Allowed
$85.2B
Total Medicare allowed dollars
Services
1.3B
Times these codes were billed
Top 25
55.2%
Share of the allowed dollars
Vintage
CY2019
Medicare fee-for-service only

All 500 codes, ranked Copy link

Sorted by allowed per service. Every code links to its full rate breakdown.

Sort by: Overall rank Beneficiaries Services Allowed dollars Allowed per service
# Code What it is Beneficiaries Services Allowed Per service
92 37227 Leg Artery Plaque Removal With Stent Retired after Q4 2025 19,514 23,271 $249,650,884 $10,727.98
70 37229 Leg Artery Plaque Removal Retired after Q4 2025 29,777 40,009 $293,778,050 $7,342.80
73 37225 Leg Artery Plaque Removal With Balloon Widening Retired after Q4 2025 36,683 45,821 $285,066,077 $6,221.30
81 63685 Spinal Cord Stimulator Battery Placement 30,432 49,122 $277,827,856 $5,655.87
292 36906 — 12,039 16,277 $67,589,209 $4,152.44
322 64590 Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Battery Placement 12,500 16,023 $59,062,317 $3,686.10
254 36903 — 19,038 24,199 $79,688,146 $3,293.03
537 64561 Sacral Nerve Stimulation Electrode Placement 8,477 14,695 $32,654,904 $2,222.18
227 36482 Adhesive Treatment of an Incompetent Extremity Vein 24,612 45,608 $92,114,167 $2,019.69
343 22514 — 25,002 27,446 $55,333,564 $2,016.09
362 22513 — 22,096 25,107 $50,358,903 $2,005.77
266 36905 — 28,195 47,626 $75,646,682 $1,588.35
407 36465 Foam Sclerotherapy of an Incompetent Extremity Vein 16,446 28,801 $44,845,775 $1,557.09
304 33249 — 42,468 43,639 $64,918,334 $1,487.62
312 65778 Ocular Surface Amniotic Membrane Placement 27,596 45,242 $63,784,727 $1,409.86
478 33405 — 17,210 27,198 $37,714,891 $1,386.68
504 37226 — Retired after Q4 2025 23,129 25,379 $35,180,334 $1,386.20
472 25609 — 18,237 28,298 $38,485,374 $1,360.00
162 36475 Radiofrequency Treatment of an Incompetent Extremity Vein 58,678 104,778 $139,037,462 $1,326.97
443 77373 — 6,805 32,171 $41,262,161 $1,282.59
326 67042 — 27,474 45,987 $57,617,705 $1,252.91
528 67108 — 16,376 27,001 $33,317,432 $1,233.93
252 22551 Anterior Cervical Spine Fusion 39,759 65,219 $80,017,550 $1,226.91
264 22633 — 37,577 62,510 $75,978,625 $1,215.46
196 33533 Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting 59,982 96,885 $113,588,836 $1,172.41
317 93656 Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation 51,272 53,059 $61,243,304 $1,154.25
451 37228 — Retired after Q4 2025 30,048 35,107 $40,435,651 $1,151.78
523 37221 — Retired after Q4 2025 28,311 30,437 $33,577,201 $1,103.17
156 29827 Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair 69,987 132,723 $144,032,985 $1,085.21
306 36478 — 32,620 59,213 $64,180,909 $1,083.90
108 78492 Cardiac PET Scan, Multiple Studies 179,547 197,323 $207,191,217 $1,050.01
370 77523 — 1,947 47,605 $49,977,649 $1,049.84
201 27245 Surgical Fixation of a Proximal Femur Fracture 82,478 107,268 $108,475,259 $1,011.25
213 23472 Total Shoulder Arthroplasty 64,371 104,863 $104,033,619 $992.09
159 77301 Intensity-Modulated Radiation Treatment Planning 135,509 149,730 $142,530,051 $951.91
103 36902 Dialysis Circuit Endovascular Treatment 125,103 235,061 $221,746,887 $943.36
277 27236 — 56,751 78,829 $72,757,167 $922.97
325 15260 — 53,763 63,283 $57,706,427 $911.88
90 27130 Total Hip Arthroplasty 163,252 278,020 $253,060,339 $910.22
49 27447 Knee Replacement 294,406 508,571 $462,417,830 $909.25
422 35301 — 34,248 47,918 $42,949,474 $896.31
276 33361 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement 44,107 82,711 $73,251,128 $885.63
95 93229 Mobile Cardiac Telemetry Analysis 269,150 277,946 $244,949,562 $881.28
464 52601 — 45,273 48,131 $39,243,332 $815.34
505 00562 — 36,646 45,452 $35,072,589 $771.64
433 29880 — 38,602 59,357 $42,177,546 $710.57
380 67904 — 31,365 68,837 $47,946,690 $696.52
401 00567 — 51,644 64,763 $45,090,758 $696.24
403 50590 — 46,679 64,863 $44,949,701 $692.99
355 29881 — 52,058 77,527 $51,763,534 $667.68
287 33208 — 103,057 105,275 $68,904,503 $654.52
418 19301 — 56,360 68,609 $43,409,293 $632.71
211 63047 Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery 101,264 166,656 $104,838,546 $629.07
268 47562 — 100,161 123,399 $74,427,000 $603.14
175 95951 — Retired after Q4 2019 73,597 215,774 $129,741,274 $601.28
551 91110 — 52,105 54,468 $31,707,120 $582.12
508 49505 — 47,969 60,861 $34,875,122 $573.03
54 78815 PET/CT Scan, Skull Base to Thigh 485,270 697,175 $395,568,981 $567.39
51 17311 Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery, First Stage 625,197 823,339 $459,333,357 $557.89
258 17313 Mohs Surgery on Trunk or Extremities, First Stage 111,484 140,514 $78,383,560 $557.83
161 92928 Coronary Artery Stent Procedure 204,366 253,224 $141,076,689 $557.12
430 78816 Whole-Body PET/CT Imaging 56,559 76,864 $42,321,704 $550.61
389 22842 — 55,066 88,515 $47,165,082 $532.85
509 22840 — 41,245 67,498 $34,661,043 $513.51
247 64721 Open Carpal Tunnel Release 106,301 169,518 $83,140,196 $490.45
533 87633 — 55,222 73,389 $32,994,909 $449.59
522 00560 — 58,278 75,797 $33,588,041 $443.13
130 64635 Lumbar or Sacral Facet Nerve Ablation 201,797 411,567 $177,788,246 $431.98
194 00670 Anesthesia for Spine Surgery 175,964 265,053 $114,380,114 $431.54
393 64633 — 53,715 107,060 $46,115,745 $430.75
457 28285 — 44,227 98,017 $40,037,264 $408.47
333 36561 — 130,823 139,061 $56,486,447 $406.20
118 17312 Mohs Surgery, Additional Stage 312,827 503,745 $195,929,977 $388.95
515 93460 — 88,341 89,649 $34,204,875 $381.54
463 52442 — 26,621 103,675 $39,333,554 $379.39
350 26055 — 78,269 149,938 $52,841,395 $352.42
105 66982 Complex Cataract Surgery With Lens Implant 142,819 617,997 $212,500,356 $343.85
46 45385 Colonoscopy With Polyp Removal 965,617 1,416,283 $474,160,710 $334.79
513 13101 — 94,011 106,877 $34,428,979 $322.14
341 77338 — 135,281 172,275 $55,455,367 $321.90
476 19083 — 114,950 118,765 $37,787,048 $318.17
191 95811 — 318,345 366,770 $116,673,302 $318.11
456 00537 — 85,626 129,248 $40,271,992 $311.59
294 13121 — 182,353 216,239 $67,207,023 $310.80
235 95810 — 274,120 301,142 $90,290,760 $299.83
465 36558 — 112,482 133,614 $38,999,746 $291.88
225 13132 Complex Skin Wound Repair 272,804 320,740 $92,505,602 $288.41
428 77295 — 128,152 147,855 $42,408,802 $286.83
35 90960 Monthly Dialysis Care, Frequent Visits 304,826 2,215,013 $633,329,823 $285.93
367 55700 — Retired after Q4 2025 152,980 180,126 $49,998,435 $277.57
167 93458 Coronary Angiography and Left Heart Catheterization 487,687 510,007 $138,390,438 $271.35
297 01214 — 169,895 249,472 $66,054,278 $264.78
511 00630 — 91,667 133,028 $34,523,135 $259.52
278 12032 Intermediate Skin Wound Repair 251,240 280,415 $72,487,815 $258.50
441 43249 — 109,267 160,316 $41,423,633 $258.39
48 78452 Myocardial Perfusion Imaging 1,753,855 1,830,643 $467,620,571 $255.44
184 00790 Anesthesia for Upper Abdominal Surgery 320,039 476,820 $121,635,916 $255.10
186 01402 Anesthesia for Knee Arthroplasty 317,316 480,204 $119,074,072 $247.97
138 90961 Monthly Dialysis Care, Fewer Visits 236,674 731,806 $174,132,762 $237.95
283 00840 — 204,549 299,160 $70,743,261 $236.47
240 90966 Monthly Home Dialysis Services 54,698 370,719 $86,981,883 $234.63
86 64483 Lumbar or Sacral Transforaminal Epidural Injection 500,846 1,119,767 $261,725,435 $233.73
59 45380 Colonoscopy With Tissue Sampling 1,062,002 1,533,344 $353,546,351 $230.57
20 99291 Critical Care 1,904,903 5,885,747 $1,316,600,906 $223.69
205 45378 Diagnostic Colonoscopy 382,530 485,358 $107,691,508 $221.88
330 64490 — 116,257 259,783 $57,349,730 $220.76
471 95911 — 169,101 175,498 $38,630,595 $220.12
383 77290 — 171,057 217,297 $47,755,935 $219.77
154 99496 Transitional Care After Discharge, Prompt Contact 592,077 684,698 $150,361,952 $219.60
474 65855 — 96,926 174,878 $38,204,717 $218.46
545 52332 — 104,257 147,504 $32,210,116 $218.37
7 66984 Cataract Surgery 1,248,177 10,262,670 $2,236,668,503 $217.94
482 01230 — 121,083 172,875 $37,222,905 $215.32
497 01844 — 88,852 166,926 $35,913,398 $215.15
375 72197 Pelvic MRI With and Without Contrast 201,069 226,645 $48,550,200 $214.21
143 64493 Lumbar or Sacral Facet Joint Injection 353,386 783,161 $165,871,587 $211.80
516 43248 — 99,524 161,262 $34,138,628 $211.70
501 88377 — 66,720 174,825 $35,549,004 $203.34
527 00320 — 105,296 164,948 $33,381,017 $202.37
10 99223 Extended Hospital Admission Visit 4,269,516 10,596,532 $2,140,442,764 $201.99
549 01630 — 113,904 160,577 $31,942,317 $198.92
273 74183 Abdominal MRI With and Without Contrast 308,834 372,360 $73,501,008 $197.39
40 99205 Longest New Patient Office Visit 2,578,153 2,916,931 $574,241,494 $196.86
338 62321 — 145,858 284,065 $55,629,044 $195.83
223 11043 Muscle and Fascia Wound Debridement 133,088 476,016 $92,648,141 $194.63
280 77280 Radiation Treatment Simulation 135,829 373,495 $71,947,484 $192.63
113 77427 Radiation Treatment Management 249,813 1,061,061 $203,123,510 $191.43
182 31231 Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy 448,577 655,342 $124,999,606 $190.74
145 62323 Lumbar or Sacral Epidural Injection 444,452 873,124 $162,044,623 $185.59
408 93351 — 237,157 242,756 $44,769,288 $184.42
455 90962 — 91,272 219,096 $40,344,944 $184.14
481 95819 — 189,100 205,968 $37,697,891 $183.03
72 99220 — Retired after Q4 2022 1,321,939 1,584,869 $289,601,374 $182.73
209 74178 Abdomen and Pelvis CT With and Without Contrast 508,720 586,657 $106,453,693 $181.46
78 66821 Laser Treatment of the Posterior Lens Capsule 531,448 1,546,363 $278,307,424 $179.98
180 93925 Bilateral Lower-Extremity Arterial Duplex Study 597,814 711,906 $126,960,828 $178.34
397 72158 — 228,317 260,641 $45,403,023 $174.20
128 70553 Brain MRI With and Without Contrast 859,952 1,055,599 $181,981,685 $172.40
12 99285 Emergency Visit, Highest Urgency 6,722,865 11,495,824 $1,969,988,412 $171.37
141 52000 Diagnostic Cystoscopy 742,417 978,300 $166,628,797 $170.32
358 77263 — 280,207 303,164 $51,213,635 $168.93
98 99306 Initial Nursing Facility Care, Level 3 1,028,770 1,393,961 $233,212,341 $167.30
251 99350 Established Patient Home or Residence Visit, Level 4 160,364 483,831 $80,499,893 $166.38
459 00300 — 155,560 240,140 $39,917,959 $166.23
66 43239 Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy With Tissue Sampling 1,341,959 1,956,044 $324,554,618 $165.92
526 90868 — 7,451 204,909 $33,498,536 $163.48
416 01922 — 172,613 270,381 $43,673,929 $161.53
14 99204 Long New Patient Office Visit 8,444,613 10,686,987 $1,680,005,867 $157.20
493 93975 — 201,108 231,888 $36,114,794 $155.74
193 99495 Transitional Care After Discharge 672,615 758,364 $116,146,163 $153.15
420 17262 — 226,774 285,623 $43,007,396 $150.57
424 95816 Electroencephalography Study 259,074 287,602 $42,892,579 $149.14
177 17004 Destruction of Multiple Premalignant Skin Lesions 579,187 861,137 $128,058,182 $148.71
64 92004 New Patient Eye Examination, Comprehensive 2,122,386 2,225,523 $329,000,828 $147.83
417 93978 — 262,131 300,714 $43,536,892 $144.78
468 31500 — 234,095 268,756 $38,693,871 $143.97
344 43235 — 308,743 385,085 $55,331,255 $143.69
395 01480 — 202,397 324,323 $45,953,786 $141.69
318 68761 Lacrimal Punctum Closure 186,215 428,337 $60,667,870 $141.64
245 90792 Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation With Medical Services 517,563 593,383 $83,689,343 $141.04
384 27096 — 237,504 337,631 $47,613,455 $141.02
204 73721 Lower-Extremity Joint MRI Without Contrast 622,989 774,813 $108,265,595 $139.73
263 73221 Upper-Extremity Joint MRI Without Contrast 452,751 553,520 $76,887,598 $138.91
547 11602 — 197,639 231,365 $32,120,483 $138.83
87 96413 Intravenous Antineoplastic Infusion Administration 254,246 1,871,604 $259,759,771 $138.79
25 99222 Hospital Admission Visit 3,265,702 6,453,058 $880,604,749 $136.46
18 99215 Longest Follow-Up Office Visit 5,869,898 10,399,315 $1,412,907,799 $135.87
242 00813 Anesthesia for Combined Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 487,789 631,983 $84,381,522 $133.52
238 99219 — Retired after Q4 2022 603,804 672,028 $89,693,400 $133.47
371 01936 — Retired after Q4 2021 193,204 375,299 $49,426,824 $131.70
169 99305 Initial Nursing Facility Care, Level 2 818,809 1,062,498 $137,620,021 $129.52
120 72148 Lumbar Spine MRI Without Contrast 1,319,213 1,508,544 $193,527,649 $128.29
13 92014 Full Eye Exam, Returning Patient 9,715,808 12,541,904 $1,576,636,782 $125.71
107 99310 Subsequent Nursing Facility Care, Level 4 633,773 1,664,428 $207,620,189 $124.74
77 93880 Carotid Artery Duplex Study 2,084,284 2,297,659 $282,249,176 $122.84
200 90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation 814,655 910,776 $111,581,106 $122.51
391 00400 — 239,543 386,464 $47,145,537 $121.99
165 99349 Established Patient Home or Residence Visit, Level 3 281,644 1,139,954 $138,402,592 $121.41
256 72141 Cervical Spine MRI Without Contrast 592,359 664,606 $79,604,368 $119.78
529 72146 — 218,036 243,641 $29,106,519 $119.46
24 93306 Heart Ultrasound 6,500,588 7,560,801 $898,003,849 $118.77
489 01992 — 151,976 305,661 $36,229,617 $118.53
31 90837 Extended Therapy Session 580,732 5,958,402 $686,943,845 $115.29
53 74177 Abdomen and Pelvis CT With Contrast 2,584,246 3,498,040 $403,262,448 $115.28
353 64636 — 184,985 455,690 $52,356,533 $114.90
36 99284 Emergency Visit, High Urgency 3,892,338 5,409,965 $619,794,068 $114.57
123 00731 Anesthesia for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1,066,146 1,672,544 $188,348,414 $112.61
406 10060 — 327,559 375,803 $41,999,107 $111.76
436 93312 — 296,596 349,529 $38,991,251 $111.55
314 99292 — 272,159 571,734 $63,236,537 $110.60
382 11104 — 354,646 382,429 $41,744,959 $109.16
57 67028 Intravitreal Medication Injection 667,505 3,462,128 $377,553,553 $109.05
440 99183 — 16,447 382,779 $41,502,954 $108.43
146 00811 Anesthesia for Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1,141,368 1,489,483 $160,654,957 $107.86
285 31575 — 508,455 657,496 $70,442,894 $107.14
43 99239 Extended Hospital Discharge Visit 3,420,697 5,137,762 $546,310,400 $106.33
450 11730 — 284,442 390,381 $40,709,292 $104.28
6 99233 Extended Daily Hospital Visit 3,616,200 24,529,093 $2,556,776,334 $104.23
166 70551 Brain MRI Without Contrast 1,093,641 1,220,079 $125,970,009 $103.25
466 99226 — Retired after Q4 2022 266,297 350,894 $36,216,483 $103.21
88 17110 Destruction of Benign Skin Lesions 1,879,316 2,511,529 $257,711,231 $102.61
15 99203 New Patient Office Visit 9,155,245 11,444,230 $1,174,044,172 $102.59
1 99214 Long Follow-Up Office Visit 27,207,772 106,696,472 $10,878,541,443 $101.96
104 00142 Anesthesia for Lens Surgery 1,052,827 2,088,157 $212,531,539 $101.78
132 99221 Initial Hospital Care, Level 1 1,297,393 1,765,818 $176,676,504 $100.05
160 71275 Chest CT Angiography 1,138,942 1,309,233 $129,320,935 $98.78
473 00910 — 229,429 389,692 $38,346,423 $98.40
354 99316 — 397,239 442,614 $43,429,125 $98.12
99 74176 Abdomen and Pelvis CT Without Contrast 1,854,461 2,366,412 $231,796,217 $97.95
520 96133 — 127,823 348,847 $33,870,119 $97.09
495 70544 — 243,942 259,401 $24,908,851 $96.02
324 70496 Head CT Angiography 484,552 532,818 $50,334,916 $94.47
129 93970 Bilateral Extremity Venous Duplex Study 1,405,397 1,692,563 $159,580,989 $94.28
236 20611 Ultrasound-Guided Major Joint Injection or Aspiration 460,649 954,011 $89,832,831 $94.16
222 88307 Surgical Pathology Examination, Level V 595,954 1,010,433 $93,158,344 $92.20
399 92235 — 336,931 429,248 $39,554,581 $92.15
305 70498 Neck CT Angiography 509,813 555,848 $51,155,026 $92.03
412 64494 — 315,158 487,978 $44,581,657 $91.36
373 76641 — 365,448 532,288 $48,268,911 $90.68
432 99304 — 304,288 343,175 $30,974,470 $90.26
352 93923 — 398,965 472,611 $42,333,985 $89.57
38 92012 Established Patient Eye Examination, Intermediate 3,627,968 6,622,578 $590,200,907 $89.12
480 88173 — 256,883 372,068 $32,898,862 $88.42
272 77066 Bilateral Diagnostic Mammography 599,255 630,520 $55,641,225 $88.25
250 95886 Needle Electromyography Study 552,277 947,697 $82,971,826 $87.55
410 90836 — 105,867 509,821 $44,592,883 $87.47
506 70491 — 238,616 293,805 $25,462,886 $86.67
385 36556 — 354,388 424,413 $36,646,442 $86.35
301 00812 Anesthesia for Lower Gastrointestinal Screening Endoscopy 516,091 650,255 $56,004,547 $86.13
26 99309 Extended Nursing Home Visit 1,848,702 9,911,193 $849,602,276 $85.72
152 97162 Detailed Physical Therapy Evaluation 1,211,734 1,365,853 $116,921,503 $85.60
76 11102 Skin Biopsy, Initial Lesion 2,564,792 3,256,012 $278,627,498 $85.57
139 97161 Physical Therapy Evaluation 1,344,284 1,526,175 $130,460,388 $85.48
347 76830 — 400,631 462,288 $39,482,235 $85.41
446 97163 — 287,484 313,753 $26,753,850 $85.27
140 11042 Subcutaneous Tissue Wound Debridement 496,527 1,991,812 $168,205,979 $84.45
469 93224 — 262,675 280,684 $23,455,807 $83.57
521 78306 — 228,817 266,788 $22,236,553 $83.35
435 99348 Established Patient Home or Residence Visit, Level 2 190,009 507,626 $41,915,702 $82.57
536 92002 — 210,837 213,548 $17,616,918 $82.50
121 99497 Advance Care Planning 1,545,555 1,832,887 $148,375,051 $80.95
514 64484 — 234,288 383,098 $30,448,996 $79.48
56 90834 Standard Therapy Session 600,281 4,850,955 $384,112,378 $79.18
321 96401 Subcutaneous or Intramuscular Antineoplastic Injection Administration 142,886 755,907 $59,790,681 $79.10
102 71250 Chest CT Without Contrast 1,898,562 2,427,776 $186,450,599 $76.80
356 76856 — 391,282 455,664 $34,628,063 $75.99
439 77002 — 295,567 532,203 $40,370,833 $75.86
210 76700 Complete Abdominal Ultrasound 863,414 989,135 $74,114,147 $74.93
260 90935 — 204,654 1,065,936 $78,283,074 $73.44
131 71260 Chest CT With Contrast 1,396,057 1,955,178 $143,570,022 $73.43
486 88331 — 252,519 457,927 $33,225,131 $72.56
4 99232 Daily Hospital Visit 4,598,341 44,627,116 $3,234,727,732 $72.48
94 99238 Hospital Discharge Visit 1,942,089 2,556,018 $184,816,710 $72.31
232 96365 Intravenous Therapeutic Infusion Administration 297,446 1,269,596 $90,987,149 $71.67
340 99225 — Retired after Q4 2022 422,968 639,104 $45,718,950 $71.54
147 99217 — Retired after Q4 2022 1,278,222 1,461,937 $104,418,791 $71.42
206 76536 Neck Soft-Tissue Ultrasound 868,755 993,978 $70,845,233 $71.27
82 99202 New Patient Office Visit, Level 2 2,366,608 2,484,281 $175,974,160 $70.84
2 99213 Routine Follow-Up Office Visit 25,593,705 92,406,908 $6,447,202,661 $69.77
29 77067 Screening Mammogram 6,158,406 6,435,410 $447,917,091 $69.60
518 99315 — 231,636 252,540 $17,557,121 $69.52
538 93926 — 210,685 277,028 $19,234,417 $69.43
257 77065 Unilateral Diagnostic Mammography 645,977 792,770 $54,335,878 $68.54
427 73700 — 306,231 352,871 $23,796,757 $67.44
208 88312 Special Stain for Microorganisms 832,059 1,614,826 $107,265,241 $66.43
171 11056 Paring of Multiple Benign Foot Lesions 820,951 2,063,039 $136,945,749 $66.38
189 93015 Complete Cardiovascular Stress Test 963,700 990,994 $65,557,889 $66.15
28 99308 Nursing Home Visit 1,909,977 11,305,472 $741,640,371 $65.60
234 90833 Psychotherapy With Evaluation and Management 387,417 1,379,453 $90,439,920 $65.56
519 64447 — 231,111 264,269 $17,256,925 $65.30
310 70486 — 508,273 553,002 $36,094,018 $65.27
320 72131 Lumbar Spine CT Without Contrast 486,994 537,629 $33,827,518 $62.92
114 80307 Presumptive Drug Screening 1,195,506 3,230,862 $202,921,970 $62.81
75 92083 Comprehensive Visual Field Examination 2,567,313 3,015,768 $188,824,975 $62.61
503 88360 — 239,365 563,489 $35,234,169 $62.53
337 97597 — 303,562 904,613 $55,982,615 $61.89
149 76770 Complete Retroperitoneal Ultrasound 1,235,800 1,431,152 $86,883,967 $60.71
62 20610 Major Joint Injection or Aspiration 2,870,666 5,729,511 $344,608,981 $60.15
172 90832 Brief Therapy Session 396,062 2,288,069 $136,825,335 $59.80
125 88342 Immunohistochemistry Study, Initial Antibody 1,523,617 2,286,741 $136,653,806 $59.76
89 99283 Emergency Department Visit, Level 3 2,093,642 2,743,497 $163,883,695 $59.74
372 97164 — 366,999 581,749 $33,837,936 $58.17
275 93922 — 596,801 718,567 $40,737,467 $56.69
158 72125 Cervical Spine CT Without Contrast 1,152,631 1,341,352 $75,933,337 $56.61
329 11055 — 470,908 910,932 $49,016,294 $53.81
361 98942 — 111,589 956,522 $50,449,957 $52.74
127 93971 Unilateral Extremity Venous Duplex Study 1,435,719 1,837,163 $95,215,786 $51.83
269 76642 Limited Breast Ultrasound 616,394 761,132 $39,082,556 $51.35
42 17000 Precancerous Skin Spot Removal 4,084,782 6,020,158 $306,296,036 $50.88
216 11103 Additional Skin Biopsy 810,282 1,428,798 $72,456,768 $50.71
21 88305 Biopsy Tissue Examination 7,838,920 20,159,855 $999,719,695 $49.59
67 92250 Fundus Photography 2,970,175 3,554,563 $175,205,774 $49.29
164 92136 Ophthalmic Biometry for Intraocular Lens Planning 1,136,870 1,885,345 $91,777,441 $48.68
300 20550 — 518,810 820,227 $39,236,175 $47.84
525 20552 — 227,204 358,873 $17,151,371 $47.79
419 20605 — 312,617 439,245 $20,408,955 $46.46
308 77300 — 273,999 1,406,731 $64,144,615 $45.60
295 36620 — 522,088 583,647 $26,561,204 $45.51
181 94060 Bronchodilator Responsiveness Testing 997,336 1,170,132 $52,648,317 $44.99
68 11721 Debridement of Multiple Nails 2,553,256 6,911,264 $310,304,367 $44.90
50 70450 Head CT Without Contrast 3,825,794 5,762,560 $256,238,027 $44.47
157 69210 Impacted Earwax Removal 1,199,725 1,569,936 $68,893,546 $43.88
461 20600 — 276,300 416,348 $18,003,900 $43.24
215 99307 Subsequent Nursing Facility Care, Level 1 790,928 2,409,698 $103,064,850 $42.77
27 99212 Brief Follow-Up Office Visit 6,300,898 10,770,676 $452,376,585 $42.00
323 76775 — 485,044 548,713 $22,968,243 $41.86
255 88112 Cytopathology Examination 658,797 1,000,547 $41,369,852 $41.35
195 76942 — 927,214 1,186,592 $48,880,367 $41.19
135 99490 Chronic Care Management 911,399 4,324,608 $175,686,865 $40.62
55 92134 Retina Scan 3,291,086 7,395,012 $298,241,760 $40.33
517 76882 — 233,389 299,567 $12,060,092 $40.26
45 98941 Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation, Multiple Regions 1,398,222 13,545,346 $544,419,955 $40.19
434 99282 — 299,844 353,194 $14,148,084 $40.06
85 99231 Subsequent Hospital Care, Level 1 1,794,475 6,781,975 $262,675,403 $38.73
185 76705 Limited Abdominal Ultrasound 981,856 1,148,804 $44,350,714 $38.61
163 92557 Comprehensive Hearing Assessment 1,137,557 1,233,397 $47,411,003 $38.44
262 83880 Natriuretic Peptide Test 630,415 947,336 $36,375,740 $38.40
249 88313 Special Histochemical Stain 668,110 1,588,996 $60,787,605 $38.26
502 87624 — 240,310 247,395 $9,432,003 $38.13
217 87798 Infectious-Agent Molecular Detection 320,963 2,600,714 $99,028,003 $38.08
39 77063 3D Screening Mammogram 4,431,825 4,628,452 $173,342,219 $37.45
534 92025 — 214,473 251,424 $9,040,532 $35.96
30 97530 Daily-Activity Therapy 1,406,373 20,044,437 $720,459,437 $35.94
79 92133 Optic Nerve Imaging by Optical Coherence Tomography 2,474,375 2,795,983 $99,221,967 $35.49
176 94729 Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Test 1,027,539 1,123,365 $39,287,625 $34.97
409 94727 — 326,871 352,154 $12,269,297 $34.84
376 93308 — 360,514 446,494 $15,159,961 $33.95
259 94726 Pulmonary Lung Volume Study 638,248 687,092 $23,060,412 $33.56
203 11720 Debridement of Nails 872,959 2,163,102 $71,372,128 $33.00
220 72110 Multi-View Lumbar Spine Radiograph 792,350 888,426 $28,896,229 $32.53
413 74230 — 322,841 380,475 $12,298,534 $32.32
34 82306 Vitamin D Blood Test 4,670,696 6,350,542 $204,236,397 $32.16
316 92225 — Retired after Q4 2019 489,773 806,085 $25,759,505 $31.96
335 97113 — 68,403 1,789,961 $56,205,923 $31.40
369 72050 — 370,823 413,243 $12,918,629 $31.26
454 96367 — 144,345 1,296,413 $40,406,058 $31.17
41 97112 Balance and Coordination Therapy 1,445,263 18,003,884 $558,121,525 $31.00
218 92226 — Retired after Q4 2019 806,704 2,138,601 $65,601,507 $30.67
492 82670 — 245,765 349,058 $10,576,159 $30.30
202 94010 Spirometry 896,118 1,236,006 $36,089,548 $29.20
332 97535 Self-Care and Home Management Training 406,303 1,953,494 $56,599,862 $28.97
153 73564 Complete Knee Radiograph Study 1,211,593 1,644,760 $47,321,560 $28.77
229 92020 Gonioscopy 767,610 881,920 $25,046,795 $28.40
150 98940 Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation 743,651 5,584,264 $156,689,350 $28.06
228 84403 Total Testosterone Test 768,386 1,176,411 $32,907,283 $27.97
490 84402 — 247,909 335,368 $9,259,472 $27.61
402 93320 — 335,664 373,653 $9,904,026 $26.51
411 93227 — 324,873 345,057 $9,129,097 $26.46
366 88185 — 88,228 1,948,385 $50,231,778 $25.78
17 97110 Physical Therapy Exercises 2,878,624 60,158,930 $1,548,784,469 $25.74
112 73562 Knee Radiograph 1,760,782 2,573,261 $65,486,459 $25.45
302 97116 Gait Training 281,508 2,676,479 $65,330,198 $24.41
487 77001 — 251,262 313,122 $7,615,218 $24.32
91 73502 Hip and Pelvis Radiograph 2,080,165 2,904,678 $69,280,844 $23.85
71 77080 Central Bone Density Study 2,653,411 2,760,470 $65,071,138 $23.57
540 84270 — 210,436 289,531 $6,782,088 $23.42
535 92550 — 213,350 229,709 $5,236,766 $22.80
33 97140 Hands-On Physical Therapy 2,173,703 29,545,674 $660,813,415 $22.37
284 72040 — 563,546 707,660 $15,770,407 $22.29
119 72100 Lumbar Spine Radiograph 1,588,046 1,991,178 $44,194,280 $22.20
423 73140 — 309,556 418,376 $9,231,766 $22.07
178 93016 Cardiovascular Stress Test Supervision 1,020,602 1,046,279 $23,068,006 $22.05
453 83861 — 282,270 742,927 $16,309,292 $21.95
106 73630 Foot Radiograph 1,844,120 2,923,671 $64,027,149 $21.90
328 86334 Immunofixation Electrophoresis 473,821 804,813 $17,622,958 $21.90
237 73110 Wrist Radiograph 736,887 1,134,743 $24,679,291 $21.75
173 99211 Established Patient Office Visit, Level 1 1,055,569 2,685,800 $58,087,436 $21.63
447 72070 — 286,276 334,040 $6,906,635 $20.68
483 82378 — 255,751 559,624 $11,524,851 $20.59
346 73620 — 403,858 604,778 $12,420,524 $20.54
192 73130 Hand Radiograph 936,941 1,337,636 $26,949,184 $20.15
199 73610 Ankle Radiograph 903,450 1,363,643 $27,403,245 $20.10
83 84153 Prostate-Specific Antigen Test 2,293,934 3,324,256 $66,385,923 $19.97
386 84154 — 354,273 439,110 $8,767,673 $19.97
396 92285 — 339,567 416,010 $8,223,965 $19.77
429 71101 — 304,327 338,032 $6,602,967 $19.53
93 73030 Shoulder Radiograph 2,064,844 2,943,795 $57,413,662 $19.50
148 73560 Limited Knee Radiograph Study 1,273,415 1,880,465 $36,590,187 $19.46
212 88304 Surgical Pathology Examination, Level III 838,288 1,017,365 $19,693,449 $19.36
470 86235 — 262,185 1,525,412 $29,446,077 $19.30
183 84481 Free Triiodothyronine Test 994,750 1,469,010 $27,002,215 $18.38
494 83090 — 245,231 308,904 $5,668,261 $18.35
11 84443 Thyroid Blood Test 9,931,145 15,099,300 $275,945,287 $18.28
500 74022 — 241,661 288,191 $5,195,545 $18.03
548 82533 — 208,840 300,073 $5,309,250 $17.69
498 73501 — 242,353 304,663 $5,357,055 $17.58
475 86800 — 258,488 329,325 $5,688,162 $17.27
377 82274 — 359,288 385,132 $6,637,158 $17.23
327 94640 — 479,624 617,789 $10,609,456 $17.17
23 93000 Heart Tracing 7,551,400 11,614,730 $199,365,789 $17.16
313 76937 — 503,956 651,467 $11,016,645 $16.91
496 83520 — 243,104 562,076 $9,468,496 $16.85
60 82607 Vitamin B12 Laboratory Test 3,121,926 4,133,954 $67,704,446 $16.38
239 72170 Pelvis Radiograph 715,269 829,538 $13,422,228 $16.18
390 73080 — 346,219 430,637 $6,912,235 $16.05
244 87804 Influenza Antigen Test 677,279 1,305,364 $20,915,891 $16.02
282 87880 Streptococcus Antigen Test 574,553 641,127 $10,253,001 $15.99
115 82746 Folate Laboratory Test 1,726,379 2,259,164 $36,111,296 $15.98
65 96372 Therapeutic Injection Administration 2,995,412 9,524,325 $151,763,975 $15.93
381 86376 — 355,390 428,419 $6,772,593 $15.81
467 90471 — 264,691 282,136 $4,414,644 $15.65
22 71046 Chest X-Ray, Two Views 7,628,278 11,502,077 $178,442,502 $15.51
296 86803 — 521,713 571,230 $8,843,580 $15.48
311 84480 — 508,213 717,356 $11,047,140 $15.40
219 92567 Tympanometry 802,236 903,565 $13,675,824 $15.14
348 73552 — 400,397 585,980 $8,772,616 $14.97
510 86225 — 237,149 290,823 $4,328,144 $14.88
155 93018 Cardiovascular Stress Test Interpretation 1,209,790 1,243,280 $18,463,258 $14.85
379 74019 — 355,575 454,294 $6,728,694 $14.81
111 82728 Ferritin Laboratory Test 1,791,919 2,967,548 $43,948,543 $14.81
230 84165 Serum Protein Electrophoresis 757,499 1,241,689 $18,314,441 $14.75
9 80061 Cholesterol Blood Panel 12,613,392 19,123,364 $278,111,967 $14.54
460 73060 — 276,851 377,760 $5,391,178 $14.27
368 86141 — 372,932 497,013 $6,992,575 $14.07
438 86200 — 295,795 326,966 $4,588,291 $14.03
303 88311 — 515,962 668,856 $9,333,156 $13.95
394 99406 — 343,039 536,081 $7,437,395 $13.87
214 95165 Allergen Immunotherapy Preparation 198,962 7,610,819 $103,866,045 $13.65
243 86038 Antinuclear Antibody Test 677,291 776,861 $10,192,098 $13.12
345 73590 — 406,090 542,284 $7,110,436 $13.11
491 76376 — 247,563 284,132 $3,679,668 $12.95
133 51798 Bladder Residual Urine Measurement 1,392,396 2,130,940 $27,490,086 $12.90
543 73090 — 209,791 257,161 $3,249,181 $12.63
392 83516 — 344,300 719,599 $8,994,767 $12.50
365 80305 — 376,859 871,208 $10,618,267 $12.19
334 76514 — 462,469 496,471 $5,943,620 $11.97
144 74018 Abdominal Radiograph 1,305,991 2,280,596 $26,852,630 $11.77
5 80053 Full Metabolic Blood Panel 14,344,000 29,131,428 $334,424,430 $11.48
404 51741 — 334,169 427,654 $4,904,722 $11.47
452 87340 — 284,303 311,212 $3,486,217 $11.20
414 11719 — 321,527 859,469 $9,472,524 $11.02
421 97035 — 310,135 2,009,978 $22,100,972 $11.00
19 83036 Average Blood Sugar Test 8,268,744 15,188,018 $159,939,149 $10.53
286 83721 — 551,576 801,160 $8,298,592 $10.36
52 84439 Free T4 Thyroid Test 3,556,284 5,338,017 $52,284,747 $9.79
32 71045 Chest X-Ray, One View 5,773,631 15,962,186 $153,644,937 $9.63
122 83550 Iron-Binding Capacity Test 1,532,201 2,449,813 $23,259,283 $9.49
288 80069 Renal Function Panel 550,197 1,075,639 $10,132,080 $9.42
117 87186 Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing 1,660,733 3,011,476 $28,335,690 $9.41
279 87070 — 581,261 729,887 $6,837,404 $9.37
44 80048 Basic Metabolic Blood Panel 4,001,136 7,059,894 $64,846,639 $9.19
187 80076 Hepatic Function Panel 973,214 1,549,624 $13,734,087 $8.86
124 87088 Urine Culture Identification 1,524,111 2,400,137 $21,111,753 $8.80
63 87086 Urine Culture 3,034,427 5,114,245 $44,887,706 $8.78
134 87077 Microorganism Identification From Culture 1,387,131 2,206,614 $19,360,403 $8.77
16 93010 Heart Tracing Reading 8,484,257 19,258,409 $164,831,403 $8.56
8 85025 Blood Cell Count With Differential 13,191,052 29,387,656 $247,926,967 $8.44
351 93005 — 400,050 458,743 $3,796,927 $8.28
360 82977 — 381,143 633,283 $4,901,589 $7.74
532 80051 — 214,722 305,014 $2,313,551 $7.59
359 83690 — 385,061 480,997 $3,594,883 $7.47
190 84436 Total Thyroxine Test 942,662 1,278,468 $9,548,750 $7.47
109 83735 Magnesium Laboratory Test 1,803,560 3,344,487 $24,305,025 $7.27
530 93042 — 215,502 366,623 $2,648,928 $7.23
299 93325 Echocardiographic Color Flow Mapping 519,886 615,053 $4,347,057 $7.07
179 82550 Creatine Kinase Test 1,014,769 1,554,322 $10,969,435 $7.06
388 82150 — 347,420 460,712 $3,241,659 $7.04
307 84479 — 508,537 690,929 $4,856,952 $7.03
100 83540 Iron Laboratory Test 1,899,788 3,088,939 $21,699,488 $7.02
80 85027 Blood Cell Count 2,374,779 3,601,078 $25,292,196 $7.02
398 85730 — 339,010 447,625 $2,923,974 $6.53
241 83615 Lactate Dehydrogenase Test 679,757 1,602,233 $10,465,882 $6.53
69 82043 Urine Albumin Test 2,833,733 3,774,878 $23,642,483 $6.26
298 86431 — 520,712 608,554 $3,744,029 $6.15
364 82044 — 376,955 482,012 $2,911,205 $6.04
207 84460 Alanine Aminotransferase Test 866,764 2,138,638 $12,272,525 $5.74
58 82570 Urine Creatinine Test 3,147,405 4,713,227 $26,447,936 $5.61
142 86140 C-Reactive Protein Test 1,332,860 2,318,715 $13,008,761 $5.61
253 84450 — 664,843 1,033,284 $5,752,856 $5.57
342 82310 — 421,030 601,463 $3,331,270 $5.54
168 82565 Blood Creatinine Test 1,066,445 1,630,159 $9,019,150 $5.53
405 84075 — 334,052 485,952 $2,673,699 $5.50
61 17003 Additional Premalignant Skin Lesion Destruction 3,057,488 19,183,969 $103,435,442 $5.39
226 82248 Direct Bilirubin Test 782,109 1,190,409 $6,380,943 $5.36
444 82247 — 289,297 470,570 $2,515,284 $5.35
363 82040 — 378,082 565,852 $2,996,088 $5.29
488 96127 — 250,521 485,452 $2,512,346 $5.18
542 84295 — 210,100 322,153 $1,651,341 $5.13
197 84100 Phosphorus Laboratory Test 924,845 1,784,553 $9,132,554 $5.12
374 84132 — 362,526 539,749 $2,679,479 $4.96
97 84550 Uric Acid Laboratory Test 1,905,367 3,100,816 $15,176,696 $4.89
512 86592 — 236,509 270,780 $1,257,681 $4.64
479 87205 — 256,914 328,693 $1,525,777 $4.64
477 85045 — 257,226 357,718 $1,552,761 $4.34
151 85610 Prothrombin Time Test 1,232,919 8,395,784 $35,847,214 $4.27
458 82270 — 278,319 278,674 $1,188,893 $4.27
291 84520 — 533,666 789,459 $3,363,268 $4.26
400 95004 — 191,654 10,616,253 $45,191,353 $4.26
233 82947 — 745,512 1,428,279 $6,043,423 $4.23
293 85651 — 528,093 858,649 $3,572,652 $4.16
265 84156 Urine Protein Test 624,935 1,089,041 $4,333,074 $3.98
224 81000 — 783,829 1,324,885 $5,187,677 $3.92
331 84155 — 469,162 646,047 $2,525,225 $3.91
37 81001 Urine Test With Microscope Exam 4,488,831 7,117,144 $24,472,804 $3.44
84 81002 Manual Urinalysis 2,212,953 3,404,479 $11,536,139 $3.39
248 82962 — 669,100 1,582,533 $5,029,949 $3.18
3 36415 Blood Draw 17,364,415 48,349,458 $141,757,808 $2.93
137 85652 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test 1,348,101 2,153,991 $6,312,539 $2.93
442 85018 — 292,026 506,771 $1,300,115 $2.57
47 81003 Automated Urinalysis 3,972,323 6,439,463 $15,633,884 $2.43

Beneficiary counts apply to one code at a time. A patient who received two of these codes is counted under both, so the column cannot be added up into a number of people. Rank is each code's position among all 7,854 CPT codes billed to Medicare in CY2019, so the column skips a number wherever a code we don't yet cover sits.

Which codes bring in the most Medicare money? Copy link

Spending is heavily concentrated. The top 25 codes carry 55.2% of the $85.2B these 500 codes account for.

  1. 1 99214 Long Follow-Up Office Visit $10.9B
  2. 2 99213 Routine Follow-Up Office Visit $6.4B
  3. 3 99232 Daily Hospital Visit $3.2B
  4. 4 99233 Extended Daily Hospital Visit $2.6B
  5. 5 66984 Cataract Surgery $2.2B
  6. 6 99223 Extended Hospital Admission Visit $2.1B
  7. 7 99285 Emergency Visit, Highest Urgency $2.0B
  8. 8 99204 Long New Patient Office Visit $1.7B
  9. 9 92014 Full Eye Exam, Returning Patient $1.6B
  10. 10 97110 Physical Therapy Exercises $1.5B

Why the most common codes aren't the most expensive Copy link

Rank the same 500 codes by patients and then by dollars, and the two lists disagree. A cheap service given to millions and a costly one given to thousands can land far apart depending on which question you ask.

Many patients, little money
81003 Automated Urinalysis
By beneficiaries
#29
By allowed dollars
#397
Per service
$2.43
Few patients, lots of money
37229 Leg Artery Plaque Removal
By beneficiaries
#478
By allowed dollars
#47
Per service
$7,342.80

What this data covers—and what it doesn't Copy link

These are CY2019 Medicare fee-for-service totals at the national level. Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial volume are excluded, so real-world use of every code here runs higher than the numbers show.

Beneficiary counts belong to a single code. Summing that column would count the same patient once for every code they received, so this page never totals it or calls it a patient count.

The shortlist covers numeric CPT codes. Drug codes and HCPCS Level II are left out on purpose. Drug codes are billed per unit, which makes service counts incomparable, and HCPCS Level II codes already carry CMS-owned descriptions.

16 codes on this list have since left the fee schedule. They were billed heavily in CY2019 before CMS deleted them, so their links point at the last quarter that priced them rather than at a page that no longer exists.

How the ranking is built Copy link

A code's overall position is its best standing across two measures: unique beneficiaries served and total allowed dollars. Ranking on either one alone buries half the story—beneficiaries favor cheap high-volume tests, dollars favor expensive procedures. Sort the table by a single measure to see each view on its own. The ranking spans all 7,854 CPT codes billed to Medicare in CY2019; this table shows the top 500 we cover.

Source: CMS Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners—by Geography and Service, national rows, CY2019. This is a calendar-year snapshot on its own publication cycle, separate from the quarterly fee schedule that produces the rates on each code page. Full methodology.

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