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CPT code 32998: Lung tumor ablation, percutaneous, radiofrequency2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation reduces or destroys one or more pulmonary tumors, with imaging guidance included when performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality230 Medicare services in 2024

In Virginia, Medicare pays $2,868.45 for 32998 in the office and $369.86 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$2,868.45Office (non-facility)
$369.86Hospital or facility
−1.9%vs the national office rate ($2,922.58)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32998 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 32998 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Virginia
  2. What 32998 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 32998 covers

Code 32998 covers percutaneous radiofrequency treatment intended to destroy or reduce one or more lung tumors. An interventional radiologist or thoracic specialist typically advances an RF probe through the chest wall into the target, often using CT or other imaging. It is performed in a procedural setting for selected patients with a primary lung tumor or pulmonary metastasis; imaging guidance, when performed, is included in the service.

Report this code for radiofrequency ablation, not cryoablation or a diagnostic needle biopsy. One service covers one or more tumors treated during the procedure; document the targets, laterality, percutaneous approach, and RF technique. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Bilateral treatment with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; 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 Virginia compares for 32998

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32998 runs from $2,540.22 in Arkansas to $4,085.91 in San Benito County, CA. Virginia pays $2,868.45. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32998 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$2,868.45
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$3,397.99+$529.54
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$3,404.14+$535.69
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$3,081.05+$212.60
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$2,981.73+$113.28
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$3,381.68+$513.23
  7. Alaska · Alaska$3,222.89+$354.44

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

Every other payment area

32998 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$2,583.47$359.39
ArkansasArkansas$2,540.22$356.81
ArizonaArizona$2,837.24$374.23
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$3,163.92$378.10
Chico, CACalifornia$3,160.85$375.03
El Centro, CACalifornia$3,161.02$375.20
Fresno, CACalifornia$3,160.85$375.03
Hanford, CACalifornia$3,160.85$375.03

32998 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.

$2,540.22

$3,623.38

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

View every state and territory as a table
32998 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$3,222.891
AL$2,583.471
AR$2,540.221
AZ$2,837.241
CA$3,160.85–$4,085.9129
CO$3,084.701
CT$3,135.391
DC$3,404.141
DE$2,889.471
FL$2,825.55–$3,081.053
GA$2,648.91–$2,971.822
GU$3,263.691
HI$3,263.691
IA$2,681.501
ID$2,697.061
IL$2,716.03–$3,020.994
IN$2,715.661
KS$2,656.601
KY$2,631.681
LA$2,622.77–$2,774.132
MA$3,057.88–$3,434.232
MD$2,953.86–$3,404.143
ME$2,702.13–$2,886.662
MI$2,701.25–$2,855.142
MN$2,973.841
MO$2,563.64–$2,798.113
MS$2,553.041
MT$2,922.511
NC$2,736.441
ND$2,902.341
NE$2,701.611
NH$3,024.701
NJ$3,176.34–$3,358.552
NM$2,714.081
NV$2,919.481
NY$2,782.73–$3,460.965
OH$2,697.121
OK$2,637.361
OR$2,902.08–$3,206.562
PA$2,707.95–$3,040.822
PR$2,950.611
RI$3,010.111
SC$2,720.281
SD$2,899.961
TN$2,670.701
TX$2,686.65–$3,069.778
UT$2,763.431
VA$2,868.45–$3,404.142
VI$2,950.611
VT$2,879.801
WA$3,055.77–$3,520.012
WI$2,790.031
WV$2,597.371
WY$2,913.721

See 32998 in every payment locality

How the 32998 rate is calculated

Each of 32998’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 · 32998

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work8.80

8.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense77.68

77.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.02

1.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

87.5000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$2,922.58

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

The exact Virginia inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,811

Code
32998
Physician work
8.80
Practice expense
77.68
Malpractice
1.02

GPCI2026.csv

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 32998 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work8.80× 1.0008.8000
Practice expense77.68× 0.98376.3594
Malpractice1.02× 0.7060.7201
Total RVUs85.8796
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$2868.45

Office: (8.8 × 1 + 77.68 × 0.983 + 1.02 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $2868.45

Facility: (8.8 × 1 + 1.58 × 0.983 + 1.02 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $369.86

Open 32998 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 32998

The CMS indicators that decide how 32998 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 32998

Lung tumor ablation, percutaneous, radiofrequency

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)2Paid.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

32998 without 50 · national office

$2,922.58

Lung tumor ablation, percutaneous, radiofrequency

32998-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$4,383.87

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 32998

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

Codes related to 32998
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Virginia
Used instead
32994Lung tumor ablation, percutaneous cryoablationPercutaneous cryoablation is the alternative when cryotherapy, rather than radiofrequency, is used.$4,463.01
32999Unlisted lung procedure, lungs and pleuraUnlisted pulmonary procedure code for a service without a specific listed code.No office rate

How 32998 has changed in Virginia

32998 · Office / nonfacility

$2868.45

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $66.34 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $2802.11 to $2868.45 (2.4%).

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

    $2802.11changed to$2868.45

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 9.03 changed to 8.80
    • Practice expense RVU 78.12 changed to 77.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.94 changed to 1.02
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $2975.44changed to$2802.11

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 80.90 changed to 78.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 0.94

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $2926.87changed to$2975.44

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $3163.74changed to$2926.87

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 84.39 changed to 80.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.95 changed to 0.97
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $3338.32changed to$3163.74

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 87.10 changed to 84.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $3561.63changed to$3338.32

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 92.78 changed to 87.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.81 changed to 0.86

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $3561.52changed to$3561.63

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 89.75 changed to 92.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.81
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $3577.79changed to$3561.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 90.79 changed to 89.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 0.79
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $3655.07changed to$3577.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 93.05 changed to 90.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.83 changed to 0.80

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1943.34changed to$3655.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 5.68 changed to 9.03
    • Practice expense RVU 48.75 changed to 93.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.83
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $2394.91changed to$1943.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 61.84 changed to 48.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.52
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $2968.26changed to$2394.91

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 77.76 changed to 61.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.51

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $2953.49changed to$2968.26

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $2931.68changed to$2953.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 77.26 changed to 77.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.57 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $3016.66changed to$2931.68

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 84.49 changed to 77.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.57
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $3016.66

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$2,868.45$369.86RVU26D
2026-07-01$2,868.45$369.86RVU26C
2026-04-01$2,868.45$369.86RVU26B
2026-01-01$2,868.45$369.86RVU26A
2025-10-01$2,802.11$408.25RVU25D
2025-07-01$2,802.11$408.25RVU25C
2025-04-01$2,802.11$408.25RVU25B
2025-01-01$2,802.11$408.25RVU25A
2024-10-01$2,975.44$416.95RVU24D
2024-07-01$2,975.44$416.95RVU24C
2024-04-01$2,975.44$416.95RVU24B
2024-03-09$2,975.44$416.95RVU24AR
2024-01-01$2,926.87$410.15RVU24A
2023-10-01$3,163.74$428.54RVU23D
2023-07-01$3,163.74$428.54RVU23C
2023-04-01$3,163.74$428.54RVU23B
2023-01-01$3,163.74$428.54RVU23A
2022-10-01$3,338.32$435.95RVU22D
2022-07-01$3,338.32$435.95RVU22C
2022-04-01$3,338.32$435.95RVU22B
2022-01-01$3,338.32$435.95RVU22A
2021-10-01$3,561.63$438.69RVU21D
2021-07-01$3,561.63$438.69RVU21C
2021-04-01$3,561.63$438.69RVU21B
2021-01-01$3,561.63$438.69RVU21A
2020-10-01$3,561.52$457.14RVU20D
2020-07-01$3,561.52$457.14RVU20C
2020-04-01$3,561.52$457.14RVU20B
2020-01-01$3,561.52$457.14RVU20A
2019-10-01$3,577.79$457.86RVU19D
2019-07-01$3,577.79$457.86RVU19C
2019-04-01$3,577.79$457.86RVU19B
2019-01-01$3,577.79$457.86RVU19A
2018-10-01$3,655.07$462.24RVU18D
2018-07-01$3,655.07$462.24RVU18C
2018-04-01$3,655.07$462.24RVU18B
2018-01-01$3,655.07$462.24RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,943.34$290.36RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,943.34$290.36RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,943.34$290.36RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,943.34$290.36RVU17A
2016-10-01$2,394.91$290.57RVU16D
2016-07-01$2,394.91$290.57RVU16C
2016-04-01$2,394.91$290.57RVU16B
2016-01-01$2,394.91$290.57RVU16A
2015-10-01$2,968.26$293.63RVU15D
2015-07-01$2,968.26$293.63RVU15C
2015-04-01$2,953.49$292.17RVU15B
2015-01-01$2,953.49$292.17RVU15A
2014-10-01$2,931.68$291.68RVU14D
2014-07-01$2,931.68$291.68RVU14C
2014-04-01$2,931.68$291.68RVU14B
2014-01-01$2,931.68$291.68RVU14A
2013-10-01$3,016.66$279.64RVU13D
2013-07-01$3,016.66$279.64RVU13C
2013-04-01$3,016.66$279.64RVU13B
2013-01-01$3,016.66$279.64RVU13AR

Price 32998 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

32998 billing questions

When should 32998 be chosen instead of 32994?

Use 32998 for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary tumor tissue. Code 32994 describes the cryoablation method.

Can imaging guidance be billed separately?

Imaging guidance, when performed for the ablation, is included in 32998. Do not separately report guidance for that same service.

How should bilateral lung treatment be reported?

For bilateral treatment, report modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Does the number of tumors determine the units?

The code covers treatment of one or more pulmonary tumors. Document the treated targets and do not assign units solely by counting tumors.

What documentation supports reporting 32998?

Document the pulmonary tumor targets, laterality, percutaneous approach, use of radiofrequency, and imaging guidance when performed.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 32998PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,811 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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