C1609: Vertebral device, motion-preserving, with screw fixation
C1609 is a HCPCS Level II code for vertebral device, motion-preserving, with screw fixation. It belongs to the Outpatient Prospective Payment System section. Whether Medicare pays it depends on the coverage rule below.
Medicare coverage: Special coverage instructions apply
There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q4-Oct. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
The CMS record for C1609
- Long descriptor
- Vertebral device, motion-preserving, with screw fixation
- Short descriptor
- Vert dev motion-preserv
- Added
- July 1, 2026
- BETOS
- P1G
- Pricing indicator
- 53: Other
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service: CMS's own analytic grouping.
Statute.
Codes adjacent to C1609
HCPCS has no hierarchy: related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If C1609 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- C1601Endoscope, single-use (i.e. disposable), pulmonary, imaging/illumination device (insertable)
- C1602Orthopedic/device/drug matrix/absorbable bone void filler, antimicrobial-eluting (implantable)
- C1603Retrieval device, insertable, laser (used to retrieve intravascular inferior vena cava filter)
- C1604Graft, transmural transvenous arterial bypass (implantable), with all delivery system components
- C1605Pacemaker, leadless, dual chamber (right atrial and right ventricular implantable components), rate-responsive, including all necessary components for implantation
- C1606Adapter, single-use (i.e. disposable), for attaching ultrasound system to upper gastrointestinal endoscope
- C1607Neurostimulator, integrated (implantable), rechargeable with all implantable and external components including charging system
- C1608Prosthesis, total, dual mobility, first carpometacarpal joint (implantable)
- C1713Anchor/screw for opposing bone-to-bone or soft tissue-to-bone (implantable)
- C1714Catheter, transluminal atherectomy, directional
- C1715Brachytherapy needle
- C1716Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, gold-198, per source
- C1717Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, high dose rate iridium-192, per source
- C1719Brachytherapy source, non-stranded, non-high dose rate iridium-192, per source
- C1721Cardioverter-defibrillator, dual chamber (implantable)
- C1722Cardioverter-defibrillator, single chamber (implantable)