CPT code 10030: Fluid drainage, image-guided, soft tissue2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports percutaneous, image-guided catheter drainage of a soft-tissue fluid collection, such as an abscess or seroma, when catheter drainage is performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality7.5K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $581.88 for 10030 in the office and $112.88 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$581.88Office (non-facility)
$112.88Hospital or facility
−6.3%vs the national office rate ($620.92)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 10030 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 10030 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 10030 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 10030 covers

The service places a drainage catheter through the skin into a fluid collection in soft tissue, using imaging to guide placement. Typical targets include an abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, or cyst in sites such as an extremity, abdominal wall, or neck. Interventional radiologists commonly perform the procedure in a hospital or outpatient imaging setting; other physicians with the appropriate procedural role may also perform it. The catheter permits ongoing drainage rather than a one-time needle aspiration. Image guidance is part of the catheter-placement service.

Report this code for a percutaneous catheter placed to drain a soft-tissue collection, not for a collection in a visceral, retroperitoneal, or peritoneal site. Documentation should identify the collection and its location, the percutaneous approach, image guidance, and catheter placement. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How North Carolina compares for 10030

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 10030 runs from $541.97 in Arkansas to $855.06 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $581.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

10030 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$581.88
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$715.77+$133.89
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$719.59+$137.71
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$660.11+$78.23
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$639.29+$57.41
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$717.70+$135.82
  7. Alaska · Alaska$694.21+$112.33

Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

10030 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$550.88$111.04
ArkansasArkansas$541.97$110.17
ArizonaArizona$603.13$116.03
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$667.95$117.00
Chico, CACalifornia$666.91$115.97
El Centro, CACalifornia$666.97$116.03
Fresno, CACalifornia$666.91$115.97
Hanford, CACalifornia$666.91$115.97

10030 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$541.97

$760.98

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
10030 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$694.211
AL$550.881
AR$541.971
AZ$603.131
CA$666.91–$855.0629
CO$652.701
CT$665.191
DC$719.591
DE$613.951
FL$603.94–$660.113
GA$567.04–$631.862
GU$687.201
HI$687.201
IA$569.701
ID$573.181
IL$582.29–$644.614
IN$576.971
KS$565.231
KY$562.241
LA$560.66–$591.852
MA$647.53–$724.132
MD$627.10–$719.593
ME$574.93–$611.932
MI$577.22–$610.752
MN$627.761
MO$548.90–$596.003
MS$545.631
MT$620.901
NC$581.881
ND$613.981
NE$573.631
NH$640.771
NJ$673.45–$710.512
NM$580.141
NV$619.491
NY$591.46–$734.905
OH$575.801
OK$562.711
OR$615.37–$677.052
PA$577.66–$646.102
PR$626.461
RI$638.511
SC$579.671
SD$613.161
TN$568.221
TX$573.32–$649.918
UT$588.551
VA$608.65–$719.592
VI$626.461
VT$609.951
WA$646.84–$741.242
WI$591.001
WV$557.881
WY$617.881

See 10030 in every payment locality

How the 10030 rate is calculated

Each of 10030’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 10030

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.68

2.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense15.56

15.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.35

0.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

18.5900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$620.92

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,077

Code
10030
Physician work
2.68
Practice expense
15.56
Malpractice
0.35

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 10030 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.68× 1.0002.6800
Practice expense15.56× 0.93314.5175
Malpractice0.35× 0.6390.2236
Total RVUs17.4211
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$581.88

Office: (2.68 × 1 + 15.56 × 0.933 + 0.35 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $581.88

Facility: (2.68 × 1 + 0.51 × 0.933 + 0.35 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $112.88

Open 10030 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 10030

The CMS indicators that decide how 10030 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 10030

Fluid drainage, image-guided, soft tissue

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)9The concept doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical9The concept doesn’t apply.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

10030 without 51 · national office

$620.92

Fluid drainage, image-guided, soft tissue

10030-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$310.46

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

How 10030 has changed in North Carolina

10030 · Office / nonfacility

$581.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $21.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $560.06 to $581.88 (3.9%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $560.06changed to$581.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.75 changed to 2.68
    • Practice expense RVU 15.52 changed to 15.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $589.43changed to$560.06

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 15.93 changed to 15.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $579.81changed to$589.43

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $617.55changed to$579.81

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 16.46 changed to 15.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $645.31changed to$617.55

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 16.91 changed to 16.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $638.32changed to$645.31

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 16.52 changed to 16.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $593.69changed to$638.32

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 14.52 changed to 16.52
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $550.61changed to$593.69

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 13.27 changed to 14.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $542.30changed to$550.61

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 13.04 changed to 13.27

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $663.80changed to$542.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 16.41 changed to 13.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.25
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $740.68changed to$663.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 3.00 changed to 2.75
    • Practice expense RVU 18.44 changed to 16.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.64
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $743.00changed to$740.68

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 18.76 changed to 18.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.70

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $739.31changed to$743.00

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $740.20changed to$739.31

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 18.80 changed to 18.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$740.20

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$581.88$112.88RVU26D
2026-07-01$581.88$112.88RVU26C
2026-04-01$581.88$112.88RVU26B
2026-01-01$581.88$112.88RVU26A
2025-10-01$560.06$123.65RVU25D
2025-07-01$560.06$123.65RVU25C
2025-04-01$560.06$123.65RVU25B
2025-01-01$560.06$123.65RVU25A
2024-10-01$589.43$126.45RVU24D
2024-07-01$589.43$126.45RVU24C
2024-04-01$589.43$126.45RVU24B
2024-03-09$589.43$126.45RVU24AR
2024-01-01$579.81$124.39RVU24A
2023-10-01$617.55$130.01RVU23D
2023-07-01$617.55$130.01RVU23C
2023-04-01$617.55$130.01RVU23B
2023-01-01$617.55$130.01RVU23A
2022-10-01$645.31$132.44RVU22D
2022-07-01$645.31$132.44RVU22C
2022-04-01$645.31$132.44RVU22B
2022-01-01$645.31$132.44RVU22A
2021-10-01$638.32$133.82RVU21D
2021-07-01$638.32$133.82RVU21C
2021-04-01$638.32$133.82RVU21B
2021-01-01$638.32$133.82RVU21A
2020-10-01$593.69$138.91RVU20D
2020-07-01$593.69$138.91RVU20C
2020-04-01$593.69$138.91RVU20B
2020-01-01$593.69$138.91RVU20A
2019-10-01$550.61$137.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$550.61$137.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$550.61$137.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$550.61$137.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$542.30$138.10RVU18D
2018-07-01$542.30$138.10RVU18C
2018-04-01$542.30$138.10RVU18B
2018-01-01$542.30$138.10RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$663.80$151.59RVU17D
2017-07-01$663.80$151.59RVU17C
2017-04-01$663.80$151.59RVU17B
2017-01-01$663.80$151.59RVU17A
2016-10-01$740.68$165.62RVU16D
2016-07-01$740.68$165.62RVU16C
2016-04-01$740.68$165.62RVU16B
2016-01-01$740.68$165.62RVU16A
2015-10-01$743.00$155.18RVU15D
2015-07-01$743.00$155.18RVU15C
2015-04-01$739.31$154.41RVU15B
2015-01-01$739.31$154.41RVU15A
2014-10-01$740.20$153.82RVU14D
2014-07-01$740.20$153.82RVU14C
2014-04-01$740.20$153.82RVU14B
2014-01-01$740.20$153.82RVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 10030 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

10030 billing questions

How is this different from needle aspiration?

This code describes image-guided placement of a catheter for drainage of a soft-tissue collection. Needle aspiration without catheter placement is a different service, such as the service represented by 10160.

Is imaging guidance separately reported?

Imaging guidance is part of this catheter-placement service. The documentation should show that imaging guided the placement.

Does this code apply to a collection inside an organ or body cavity?

No. This code is for soft tissue, such as an extremity, abdominal wall, or neck. Codes 49405, 49406, and 49407 address other collection locations.

What is included in the 0-day global period?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. The code has a 0-day global period.

How are multiple procedures in the same session paid?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures in that session are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.

Can an assistant, co-surgeon, or surgical team be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 10030PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,077 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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