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 2026Q3-Jul. 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)
Questions about C1609
What is HCPCS code C1609?
C1609 is a HCPCS Level II code for vertebral device, motion-preserving, with screw fixation. It sits in the Outpatient Prospective Payment System section.
Does Medicare cover C1609?
The CMS HCPCS file marks C1609 as "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.