CPT code 11976: Contraceptive implant removal, removal only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California
Removal of implantable contraceptive capsules beneath the skin, reported when the existing implant is removed without reinsertion during the same session.
Medicare pays $150.50–$183.07 for 11976 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 11976 covers
This service covers removal of implantable contraceptive capsules placed beneath the skin, commonly in the upper arm. The clinician identifies the implant, makes an incision, and dissects and extracts the capsule or capsules. It is typically performed by a physician or other qualified practitioner in an outpatient setting.
Report 11976 when documentation supports removal of an implantable contraceptive capsule, including the site and work performed. Medicare coverage is restricted to specific circumstances; performing the procedure alone does not establish payment eligibility. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are paid at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented 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.
Where 11976 pays more and less in California
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
29 payment localities
$150.50 to $183.07
29 of 29 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | $151.35 | $78.50 |
| Chico, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| El Centro, CA | $150.55 | $77.71 |
| Fresno, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Hanford, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160.01 | $81.38 |
| Madera, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Marin County, CA | $178.91 | $85.19 |
| Merced, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Modesto, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Napa, CA | $170.32 | $82.72 |
| Oxnard, CA | $158.77 | $80.20 |
| Redding, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Rest of California | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Riverside, CA | $153.74 | $80.89 |
| Sacramento, CA | $156.87 | $79.56 |
| Salinas, CA | $156.26 | $79.23 |
| San Benito County, CA | $183.07 | $87.22 |
| San Diego, CA | $159.17 | $79.67 |
| San Francisco, CA | $178.57 | $84.85 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $153.88 | $78.17 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $181.67 | $85.83 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $160.08 | $79.32 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $156.64 | $79.14 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $161.62 | $80.00 |
| Stockton, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Vallejo, CA | $169.83 | $82.23 |
| Visalia, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
| Yuba City, CA | $150.50 | $77.66 |
How the 11976 rate is calculated
Each of 11976’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 · 11976
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.74
1.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.35
2.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.30
0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.3900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$146.63
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 11976
The CMS indicators that decide how 11976 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 11976
Contraceptive implant removal, removal only
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
11976 without 51 · national office
$146.63
Contraceptive implant removal, removal only
11976-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$73.32
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%).
11976 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
11976 vs 11982 vs 11983: Medicare rates
How to choose
11976 billing questions
How does 11976 differ from 11982?
11976 is for removal of implantable contraceptive capsules. Use 11982 for removal of a different drug-delivery implant.
Does modifier 50 apply to bilateral removal?
No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.
What documentation supports 11976?
Document the implant site and the removal performed. Medicare coverage is restricted to specific circumstances, so the procedure documentation alone does not establish payment eligibility.
How are assistant surgeons and multiple procedures handled?
Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted. In a same-session multiple-procedure situation, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are paid at 50%.
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
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