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CPT code 23066: Shoulder biopsy, deep tissue2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report this code for operative biopsy sampling of deep soft tissue in the shoulder area when tissue is obtained for diagnostic evaluation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality268 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $717.60 for 23066 in the office and $412.28 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$717.60Office (non-facility)
$412.28Hospital or facility
+14.7%vs the national office rate ($625.60)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 23066 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 23066 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 23066 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 23066 covers

This code represents operative sampling of deep soft tissue in the shoulder area for diagnostic evaluation, such as assessment of an indeterminate mass or other abnormal tissue. An orthopedic surgeon or other surgeon exposes the target tissue and removes a specimen for examination. It is distinct from a superficial shoulder-tissue biopsy and from an operation that removes the entire lesion. The service is generally performed in an operating room or other surgical setting.

Select the code based on the documented depth and the fact that tissue was sampled rather than the full lesion excised. The operative report should identify the shoulder site, the deep tissue sampled, and the biopsy performed. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 Washington, DC area compares for 23066

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 23066 runs from $546.55 in Arkansas to $827.81 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $717.60. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

23066 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$717.60
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$704.26−$13.34
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$691.23−$26.37
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$668.65−$48.95
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$726.26+$8.66
  6. Alaska · Alaska$711.35−$6.25
  7. Alabama · Alabama$555.40−$162.20

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

23066 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$546.55$323.91
ArizonaArizona$607.07$355.92
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$659.92$375.84
Chico, CACalifornia$657.39$373.32
El Centro, CACalifornia$657.55$373.47
Fresno, CACalifornia$657.39$373.32
Hanford, CACalifornia$657.39$373.32
Madera, CACalifornia$657.39$373.32

23066 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$546.55

$742.60

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

View every state and territory as a table
23066 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$711.351
AL$555.401
AR$546.551
AZ$607.071
CA$657.39–$827.8129
CO$649.661
CT$669.881
DC$717.601
DE$617.741
FL$621.04–$691.233
GA$582.37–$639.472
GU$674.991
HI$674.991
IA$568.401
ID$573.011
IL$603.32–$668.654
IN$576.601
KS$566.691
KY$572.491
LA$571.99–$602.942
MA$645.71–$716.212
MD$629.94–$717.603
ME$577.59–$610.172
MI$589.98–$630.762
MN$617.161
MO$562.02–$603.823
MS$554.341
MT$625.541
NC$584.031
ND$607.351
NE$571.461
NH$640.411
NJ$676.03–$709.292
NM$594.021
NV$620.921
NY$593.73–$746.875
OH$586.271
OK$570.071
OR$614.65–$670.472
PA$586.61–$652.702
PR$630.141
RI$639.951
SC$586.421
SD$605.191
TN$569.971
TX$582.47–$648.768
UT$595.171
VA$608.83–$717.602
VI$630.141
VT$605.871
WA$644.18–$730.242
WI$585.231
WV$579.251
WY$617.611

See 23066 in every payment locality

How the 23066 rate is calculated

Each of 23066’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 · 23066

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.19

4.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense13.62

13.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.92

0.92 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

18.7300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$625.60

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

2,156

Code
23066
Physician work
4.19
Practice expense
13.62
Malpractice
0.92

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 23066 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.19× 1.0544.4163
Practice expense13.62× 1.17816.0444
Malpractice0.92× 1.1131.0240
Total RVUs21.4846
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$717.60

Office: (4.19 × 1.054 + 13.62 × 1.178 + 0.92 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $717.60

Facility: (4.19 × 1.054 + 5.86 × 1.178 + 0.92 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $412.28

Open 23066 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 23066

23066 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 23066

Shoulder biopsy, deep tissue

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.69/0.21Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 23066

Shoulder biopsy, deep tissue

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

23066 without 50 · national office

$625.60

Shoulder biopsy, deep tissue

23066-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$938.40

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 23066

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 23066
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
23065Shoulder biopsy, deep soft tissueSuperficial shoulder-tissue biopsy; 23066 represents deep tissue.$262.63
Used instead
23076Shoulder tumor excision, deep, under 5 cmConsider for excision of a deep shoulder tumor smaller than 5 cm instead of sampling alone.No office rate
23073Shoulder tumor excision, deep, 5 cm or largerConsider for excision of a deep shoulder tumor 5 cm or larger instead of sampling alone.No office rate

How 23066 has changed in Washington, DC area

23066 · Office / nonfacility

$717.60

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $66.18 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $651.42 to $717.60 (10.2%).

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

    $651.42changed to$717.60

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.30 changed to 4.19
    • Practice expense RVU 12.20 changed to 13.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.92
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $667.98changed to$651.42

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 12.13 changed to 12.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.91 changed to 0.90

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $657.08changed to$667.98

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $678.89changed to$657.08

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 11.89 changed to 12.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.91
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $699.28changed to$678.89

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.75 changed to 11.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.86
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $718.82changed to$699.28

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 12.10 changed to 11.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.89

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $691.11changed to$718.82

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 11.09 changed to 12.10
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $679.67changed to$691.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 10.98 changed to 11.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.86
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $671.51changed to$679.67

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 10.83 changed to 10.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.88 changed to 0.90

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $666.35changed to$671.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 10.73 changed to 10.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.88
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $663.41changed to$666.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.67 changed to 10.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.89
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $667.59changed to$663.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.69 changed to 10.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.92 changed to 0.90

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $664.26changed to$667.59

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $650.12changed to$664.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 10.54 changed to 10.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 0.92
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $655.31changed to$650.12

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.52 changed to 10.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.84 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $655.31

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$717.60$412.28RVU26D
2026-07-01$717.60$412.28RVU26C
2026-04-01$717.60$412.28RVU26B
2026-01-01$717.60$412.28RVU26A
2025-10-01$651.42$422.39RVU25D
2025-07-01$651.42$422.39RVU25C
2025-04-01$651.42$422.39RVU25B
2025-01-01$651.42$422.39RVU25A
2024-10-01$667.98$427.53RVU24D
2024-07-01$667.98$427.53RVU24C
2024-04-01$667.98$427.53RVU24B
2024-03-09$667.98$427.53RVU24AR
2024-01-01$657.08$420.55RVU24A
2023-10-01$678.89$431.65RVU23D
2023-07-01$678.89$431.65RVU23C
2023-04-01$678.89$431.65RVU23B
2023-01-01$678.89$431.65RVU23A
2022-10-01$699.28$438.79RVU22D
2022-07-01$699.28$438.79RVU22C
2022-04-01$699.28$438.79RVU22B
2022-01-01$699.28$438.79RVU22A
2021-10-01$718.82$441.08RVU21D
2021-07-01$718.82$441.08RVU21C
2021-04-01$718.82$441.08RVU21B
2021-01-01$718.82$441.08RVU21A
2020-10-01$691.11$433.33RVU20D
2020-07-01$691.11$433.33RVU20C
2020-04-01$691.11$433.33RVU20B
2020-01-01$691.11$433.33RVU20A
2019-10-01$679.67$428.66RVU19D
2019-07-01$679.67$428.66RVU19C
2019-04-01$679.67$428.66RVU19B
2019-01-01$679.67$428.66RVU19A
2018-10-01$671.51$423.38RVU18D
2018-07-01$671.51$423.38RVU18C
2018-04-01$671.51$423.38RVU18B
2018-01-01$671.51$423.38RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$666.35$421.58RVU17D
2017-07-01$666.35$421.58RVU17C
2017-04-01$666.35$421.58RVU17B
2017-01-01$666.35$421.58RVU17A
2016-10-01$663.41$420.50RVU16D
2016-07-01$663.41$420.50RVU16C
2016-04-01$663.41$420.50RVU16B
2016-01-01$663.41$420.50RVU16A
2015-10-01$667.59$422.51RVU15D
2015-07-01$667.59$422.51RVU15C
2015-04-01$664.26$420.41RVU15B
2015-01-01$664.26$420.41RVU15A
2014-10-01$650.12$411.57RVU14D
2014-07-01$650.12$411.57RVU14C
2014-04-01$650.12$411.57RVU14B
2014-01-01$650.12$411.57RVU14A
2013-10-01$655.31$405.46RVU13D
2013-07-01$655.31$405.46RVU13C
2013-04-01$655.31$405.46RVU13B
2013-01-01$655.31$405.46RVU13AR

Price 23066 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

23066 billing questions

How does this differ from 23065?

23066 is for biopsy of deep shoulder-area tissue; 23065 is the superficial-tissue sibling. The operative documentation should support the depth selected.

When should an excision code be considered instead?

Use an applicable shoulder-lesion excision code when the operation removes the lesion rather than taking a diagnostic sample. Deep excision codes are selected in part by lesion size.

Is the pathologist's examination included?

This code represents the surgeon's operative tissue sampling. A pathologist's examination is a distinct service when performed and appropriately reported.

What is included in the global period?

The 90-day global includes the related preoperative visit on the day before surgery and related postoperative care for 90 days.

How are bilateral biopsies and other same-session procedures handled?

Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 23066PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,156 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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