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CPT code 24065: Soft-tissue biopsy, superficial upper arm or elbow2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports diagnostic sampling of superficial soft tissue in the upper arm or elbow when tissue is obtained rather than the lesion being completely excised.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality262 Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $246.54 for 24065 in the office and $140.58 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$246.54Office (non-facility)
$140.58Hospital or facility
−6.0%vs the national office rate ($262.20)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 24065 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 24065 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 24065 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 24065 covers

Code 24065 represents sampling of superficial soft tissue in the upper arm or elbow region to establish a diagnosis, rather than removing the entire lesion as definitive treatment. The surgeon obtains tissue from a mass or other abnormality in the superficial soft-tissue layer; orthopedic and other surgeons may perform the biopsy in an office procedure room or operating room. The specimen is submitted for pathologic examination. The superficial-versus-deep distinction is based on the tissue plane involved, not simply the lesion’s diameter.

Report this code when the operative note identifies the upper-arm or elbow site, superficial depth, sampling method, and reason tissue was obtained. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. For bilateral biopsies, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; 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 24065

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 24065 runs from $231.81 in Arkansas to $346.55 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $246.54. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

24065 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$246.54
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$295.46+$48.92
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$299.65+$53.11
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$284.01+$37.47
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$275.71+$29.17
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$301.83+$55.29
  7. Alaska · Alaska$304.65+$58.11

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

Every other payment area

24065 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$235.22$135.85
ArkansasArkansas$231.81$134.26
ArizonaArizona$255.17$145.12
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$277.46$153.00
Chico, CACalifornia$276.64$152.18
El Centro, CACalifornia$276.69$152.22
Fresno, CACalifornia$276.64$152.18
Hanford, CACalifornia$276.64$152.18

24065 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.

$231.81

$311.60

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

View every state and territory as a table
24065 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$304.651
AL$235.221
AR$231.811
AZ$255.171
CA$276.64–$346.5529
CO$272.721
CT$279.671
DC$299.651
DE$259.401
FL$258.83–$284.013
GA$244.19–$267.222
GU$283.381
HI$283.381
IA$240.971
ID$242.601
IL$251.51–$275.714
IN$244.001
KS$239.951
KY$241.051
LA$240.72–$252.652
MA$271.13–$299.592
MD$264.33–$299.653
ME$243.99–$257.102
MI$247.45–$262.192
MN$260.931
MO$236.65–$253.413
MS$234.271
MT$262.181
NC$246.541
ND$256.641
NE$242.261
NH$268.551
NJ$282.75–$296.552
NM$248.861
NV$260.821
NY$250.25–$309.325
OH$246.321
OK$240.491
OR$258.69–$281.272
PA$246.65–$272.772
PR$264.071
RI$268.561
SC$246.861
SD$255.991
TN$241.181
TX$245.03–$271.918
UT$250.241
VA$256.33–$299.652
VI$264.071
VT$255.741
WA$270.58–$305.582
WI$248.021
WV$242.211
WY$259.771

See 24065 in every payment locality

How the 24065 rate is calculated

Each of 24065’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 · 24065

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.08

2.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.49

5.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.28

0.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.8500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$262.20

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

2,258

Code
24065
Physician work
2.08
Practice expense
5.49
Malpractice
0.28

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 24065 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.08× 1.0002.0800
Practice expense5.49× 0.9335.1222
Malpractice0.28× 0.6390.1789
Total RVUs7.3811
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$246.54

Office: (2.08 × 1 + 5.49 × 0.933 + 0.28 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $246.54

Facility: (2.08 × 1 + 2.09 × 0.933 + 0.28 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $140.58

Open 24065 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 24065

24065 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 24065

Soft-tissue biopsy, superficial upper arm or elbow

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 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)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 24065

Soft-tissue biopsy, superficial upper arm or elbow

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

24065 without 50 · national office

$262.20

Soft-tissue biopsy, superficial upper arm or elbow

24065-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$393.30

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 24065

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

Codes related to 24065
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
24066Soft-tissue biopsy, deep arm or elbowBiopsy of deep rather than superficial soft tissue in the upper arm or elbow region.$640.30
Used instead
24075Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, under 3 cmExcision of a small superficial arm or elbow lesion when the lesion is removed.$531.73
24071Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, 3 cm or largerExcision of a larger superficial arm or elbow lesion when the lesion is removed.No office rate

How 24065 has changed in North Carolina

24065 · Office / nonfacility

$246.54

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.76 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $234.78 to $246.54 (5.0%).

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

    $234.78changed to$246.54

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.13 changed to 2.08
    • Practice expense RVU 5.33 changed to 5.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
    • 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

    $243.51changed to$234.78

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.37 changed to 5.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $239.54changed to$243.51

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $247.78changed to$239.54

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.35 changed to 5.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $255.92changed to$247.78

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.40 changed to 5.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • 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

    $255.81changed to$255.92

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.34 changed to 5.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $252.34changed to$255.81

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.00 changed to 5.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.30
    • 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

    $250.78changed to$252.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.94 changed to 5.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.28
    • 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

    $248.91changed to$250.78

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.90 changed to 4.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $247.09changed to$248.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.84 changed to 4.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.32
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $246.77changed to$247.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • 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

    $246.72changed to$246.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.82 changed to 4.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $245.49changed to$246.72

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $243.03changed to$245.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.75 changed to 4.82
    • 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

    $249.56changed to$243.03

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.36 changed to 4.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $249.56

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$246.54$140.58RVU26D
2026-07-01$246.54$140.58RVU26C
2026-04-01$246.54$140.58RVU26B
2026-01-01$246.54$140.58RVU26A
2025-10-01$234.78$150.62RVU25D
2025-07-01$234.78$150.62RVU25C
2025-04-01$234.78$150.62RVU25B
2025-01-01$234.78$150.62RVU25A
2024-10-01$243.51$154.43RVU24D
2024-07-01$243.51$154.43RVU24C
2024-04-01$243.51$154.43RVU24B
2024-03-09$243.51$154.43RVU24AR
2024-01-01$239.54$151.91RVU24A
2023-10-01$247.78$156.06RVU23D
2023-07-01$247.78$156.06RVU23C
2023-04-01$247.78$156.06RVU23B
2023-01-01$247.78$156.06RVU23A
2022-10-01$255.92$159.57RVU22D
2022-07-01$255.92$159.57RVU22C
2022-04-01$255.92$159.57RVU22B
2022-01-01$255.92$159.57RVU22A
2021-10-01$255.81$159.31RVU21D
2021-07-01$255.81$159.31RVU21C
2021-04-01$255.81$159.31RVU21B
2021-01-01$255.81$159.31RVU21A
2020-10-01$252.34$161.72RVU20D
2020-07-01$252.34$161.72RVU20C
2020-04-01$252.34$161.72RVU20B
2020-01-01$252.34$161.72RVU20A
2019-10-01$250.78$162.87RVU19D
2019-07-01$250.78$162.87RVU19C
2019-04-01$250.78$162.87RVU19B
2019-01-01$250.78$162.87RVU19A
2018-10-01$248.91$163.78RVU18D
2018-07-01$248.91$163.78RVU18C
2018-04-01$248.91$163.78RVU18B
2018-01-01$248.91$163.78RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$247.09$164.23RVU17D
2017-07-01$247.09$164.23RVU17C
2017-04-01$247.09$164.23RVU17B
2017-01-01$247.09$164.23RVU17A
2016-10-01$246.77$163.86RVU16D
2016-07-01$246.77$163.86RVU16C
2016-04-01$246.77$163.86RVU16B
2016-01-01$246.77$163.86RVU16A
2015-10-01$246.72$164.18RVU15D
2015-07-01$246.72$164.18RVU15C
2015-04-01$245.49$163.36RVU15B
2015-01-01$245.49$163.36RVU15A
2014-10-01$243.03$161.83RVU14D
2014-07-01$243.03$161.83RVU14C
2014-04-01$243.03$161.83RVU14B
2014-01-01$243.03$161.83RVU14A
2013-10-01$249.56$161.56RVU13D
2013-07-01$249.56$161.56RVU13C
2013-04-01$249.56$161.56RVU13B
2013-01-01$249.56$161.56RVU13AR

Price 24065 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

24065 billing questions

How does 24065 differ from 24066?

Use 24065 for biopsy of superficial soft tissue in the upper arm or elbow region. Code 24066 is for biopsy of deep soft tissue.

Can 24065 be reported when the entire lesion is removed?

This code describes biopsy sampling. When the surgeon removes a lesion, evaluate the applicable excision code based on the site, tissue depth, and lesion size.

What documentation supports the superficial biopsy code?

Document the upper-arm or elbow location, the tissue plane or depth, the sampling performed, and the clinical reason for obtaining tissue.

How are bilateral biopsies reported?

Modifier 50 identifies a bilateral procedure; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Are postoperative visits separately paid during the global period?

Related postoperative visits for 10 days are included in the minor-procedure global period.

How does Medicare handle an assistant or additional procedures in the same session?

An assistant at surgery is not paid for this code. If multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 24065PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,258 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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