CPT code 38505: Lymph node biopsy, needle, superficial node2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA
Percutaneous needle sampling of a superficial lymph node for tissue diagnosis, commonly used to evaluate palpable or imaging-detected cervical, axillary, or inguinal adenopathy.
In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $179.46 for 38505 in the office and $74.76 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 38505 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 38505 covers
Code 38505 describes needle sampling of a superficial lymph node to obtain tissue for diagnostic evaluation. It is commonly performed for enlarged or suspicious cervical, axillary, or inguinal nodes, including nodes identified on examination or imaging. Radiologists, surgeons, and other qualified physicians may perform the procedure in an office, imaging department, or facility setting. The needle technique distinguishes this service from open removal or biopsy of a node.
Report the code when the documented procedure involves needle biopsy of a superficial node; record the sampled site and the technique used. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in its 0-day global period. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral service, modifier 50 results in payment at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and 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 El Centro, CA compares for 38505
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 38505 runs from $151.67 in Arkansas to $223.30 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $179.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- El Centro, CA · this page$179.46
- Bakersfield, CA · California$179.95+$0.49
- Chico, CA · California$179.43−$0.03
- Fresno, CA · California$179.43−$0.03
- Hanford, CA · California$179.43−$0.03
- Los Angeles, CA · California$191.22+$11.76
- Madera, CA · California$179.43−$0.03
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CACalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $206.71 | $80.81 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $190.20 | $77.29 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $181.28 | $76.58 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $187.98 | $76.88 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $187.27 | $76.55 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $191.42 | $77.17 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $218.48 | $83.79 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $218.28 | $83.59 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $223.30 | $85.56 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $222.52 | $84.77 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $184.28 | $75.48 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $193.07 | $77.00 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $187.90 | $76.52 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $195.00 | $77.70 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $206.43 | $80.53 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $179.43 | $74.73 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $193.88 | $81.35 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $183.66 | $84.21 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $178.62 | $82.62 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $195.27 | $84.27 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $201.02 | $99.28 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $153.77 | $70.18 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $151.67 | $69.62 |
| ArizonaArizona | $166.03 | $73.46 |
| ColoradoColorado | $176.95 | $75.31 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $181.27 | $78.38 |
| DelawareDelaware | $168.68 | $74.29 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $176.40 | $79.63 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $168.23 | $76.91 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $173.45 | $76.39 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $159.24 | $74.03 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $183.42 | $74.81 |
| IowaIowa | $157.32 | $69.92 |
| IdahoIdaho | $158.32 | $70.44 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $167.07 | $79.19 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $163.72 | $76.50 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $178.14 | $80.03 |
| IndianaIndiana | $159.18 | $70.63 |
| KansasKansas | $156.69 | $70.33 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $157.33 | $72.41 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $164.46 | $74.57 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $157.12 | $72.58 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $193.74 | $79.69 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $176.00 | $75.41 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $180.76 | $78.26 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $171.75 | $75.08 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $159.17 | $71.28 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $167.23 | $72.57 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $170.29 | $78.11 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $161.26 | $74.04 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $169.62 | $71.32 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $163.33 | $73.63 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $164.94 | $74.00 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $154.62 | $72.27 |
| MississippiMississippi | $153.17 | $70.92 |
| MontanaMontana | $170.33 | $74.81 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $160.73 | $71.60 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $166.97 | $71.45 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $158.12 | $69.95 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $174.26 | $74.82 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $192.06 | $81.24 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $183.35 | $79.04 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $162.12 | $74.52 |
| NevadaNevada | $169.51 | $73.89 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $199.86 | $86.28 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $184.59 | $79.99 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $196.71 | $83.80 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $163.01 | $72.26 |
| OhioOhio | $160.57 | $73.35 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $157.00 | $71.69 |
| Portland, OROregon | $182.25 | $76.12 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $168.21 | $73.06 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $177.00 | $77.56 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $160.77 | $73.08 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $171.50 | $74.92 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $174.44 | $75.76 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $160.91 | $72.65 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $166.57 | $71.05 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $157.44 | $70.61 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $176.35 | $75.28 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $159.78 | $72.85 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $168.49 | $73.83 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $169.55 | $74.41 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $168.50 | $74.31 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $168.99 | $74.13 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $172.10 | $77.25 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $164.04 | $73.38 |
| UtahUtah | $162.99 | $73.20 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $166.76 | $72.85 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $171.50 | $74.92 |
| VermontVermont | $166.41 | $71.84 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $175.64 | $75.05 |
| King County, WAWashington | $197.52 | $80.31 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $161.67 | $70.16 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $158.00 | $74.99 |
| WyomingWyoming | $168.87 | $73.34 |
38505 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.
$151.67
$201.37
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $201.02 | 1 |
| AL | $153.77 | 1 |
| AR | $151.67 | 1 |
| AZ | $166.03 | 1 |
| CA | $179.43–$223.30 | 29 |
| CO | $176.95 | 1 |
| CT | $181.27 | 1 |
| DC | $193.88 | 1 |
| DE | $168.68 | 1 |
| FL | $168.23–$183.66 | 3 |
| GA | $159.24–$173.45 | 2 |
| GU | $183.42 | 1 |
| HI | $183.42 | 1 |
| IA | $157.32 | 1 |
| ID | $158.32 | 1 |
| IL | $163.72–$178.62 | 4 |
| IN | $159.18 | 1 |
| KS | $156.69 | 1 |
| KY | $157.33 | 1 |
| LA | $157.12–$164.46 | 2 |
| MA | $176.00–$193.74 | 2 |
| MD | $171.75–$193.88 | 3 |
| ME | $159.17–$167.23 | 2 |
| MI | $161.26–$170.29 | 2 |
| MN | $169.62 | 1 |
| MO | $154.62–$164.94 | 3 |
| MS | $153.17 | 1 |
| MT | $170.33 | 1 |
| NC | $160.73 | 1 |
| ND | $166.97 | 1 |
| NE | $158.12 | 1 |
| NH | $174.26 | 1 |
| NJ | $183.35–$192.06 | 2 |
| NM | $162.12 | 1 |
| NV | $169.51 | 1 |
| NY | $163.01–$199.86 | 5 |
| OH | $160.57 | 1 |
| OK | $157.00 | 1 |
| OR | $168.21–$182.25 | 2 |
| PA | $160.77–$177.00 | 2 |
| PR | $171.50 | 1 |
| RI | $174.44 | 1 |
| SC | $160.91 | 1 |
| SD | $166.57 | 1 |
| TN | $157.44 | 1 |
| TX | $159.78–$176.35 | 8 |
| UT | $162.99 | 1 |
| VA | $166.76–$193.88 | 2 |
| VI | $171.50 | 1 |
| VT | $166.41 | 1 |
| WA | $175.64–$197.52 | 2 |
| WI | $161.67 | 1 |
| WV | $158.00 | 1 |
| WY | $168.87 | 1 |
How the 38505 rate is calculated
Each of 38505’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 · 38505
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.55
1.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.38
3.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.17
0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.1000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$170.34
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,742
- Code
- 38505
- Physician work
- 1.55
- Practice expense
- 3.38
- Malpractice
- 0.17
GPCI2026.csv
10
- Locality
- El Centro, CA
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.541
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.55 | × 1.017 | 1.5763 |
| Practice expense | 3.38 | × 1.096 | 3.7045 |
| Malpractice | 0.17 | × 0.541 | 0.0920 |
| Total RVUs | 5.3728 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, El Centro, CA$179.46
Office: (1.55 × 1.017 + 3.38 × 1.096 + 0.17 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $179.46
Facility: (1.55 × 1.017 + 0.52 × 1.096 + 0.17 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $74.76
Payment rules and modifiers for 38505
The CMS indicators that decide how 38505 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 38505
Lymph node biopsy, needle, superficial node
| 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) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| 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 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
38505 without 50 · national office
$170.34
Lymph node biopsy, needle, superficial node
38505-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$255.51
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).
How 38505 has changed in El Centro, CA
38505 · Office / nonfacility
$179.46
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $4.15 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $175.31 to $179.46 (2.4%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$175.31changed to$179.46
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.59 changed to 1.55
- Practice expense RVU 3.40 changed to 3.38
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$182.59changed to$175.31
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 3.46 changed to 3.40
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$179.61changed to$182.59
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$187.88changed to$179.61
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.46
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$192.19changed to$187.88
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.60 changed to 3.54
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.17
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$130.92changed to$192.19
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Work RVU 1.14 changed to 1.59
- Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 3.60
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.14
- Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$133.35changed to$130.92
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 2.30 changed to 2.36
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$133.58changed to$133.35
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.30
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$134.19changed to$133.58
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 2.33 changed to 2.31
- Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$134.92changed to$134.19
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.33
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$134.92
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $179.46 | $74.76 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $179.46 | $74.76 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $179.46 | $74.76 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $179.46 | $74.76 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $175.31 | $83.38 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $175.31 | $83.38 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $175.31 | $83.38 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $175.31 | $83.38 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $182.59 | $85.08 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $182.59 | $85.08 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $182.59 | $85.08 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $182.59 | $85.08 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $179.61 | $83.69 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $187.88 | $86.96 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $187.88 | $86.96 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $187.88 | $86.96 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $187.88 | $86.96 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $192.19 | $87.89 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $192.19 | $87.89 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $192.19 | $87.89 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $192.19 | $87.89 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $130.92 | $71.83 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $130.92 | $71.83 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $130.92 | $71.83 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $130.92 | $71.83 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $133.35 | $74.27 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $133.35 | $74.27 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $133.35 | $74.27 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $133.35 | $74.27 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $133.58 | $73.97 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $133.58 | $73.97 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $133.58 | $73.97 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $133.58 | $73.97 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $134.19 | $74.65 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $134.19 | $74.65 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $134.19 | $74.65 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $134.19 | $74.65 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $134.92 | $75.67 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $134.92 | $75.67 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $134.92 | $75.67 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $134.92 | $75.67 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the El Centro, CA rate applies
El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- El Centro
- Bombay Beach
- Brawley
- Calexico
- Calipatria
- Desert Shores
- El Centro Naval Air Facility
- Heber
38505 billing questions
When should 38505 be used instead of 38500?
Use 38505 for needle sampling of a superficial lymph node. Code 38500 describes an open biopsy or removal of a superficial node.
How does 38505 differ from fine needle aspiration?
38505 represents needle biopsy of a superficial node, commonly performed to obtain tissue. Fine needle aspiration codes apply when the service is aspiration sampling, with code selection depending on whether imaging guidance is used.
Can modifier 50 be reported for bilateral node biopsies?
Yes. CMS identifies 38505 as bilateral, and modifier 50 results in payment at 150% when the procedure is performed bilaterally.
Does the code include same-day postoperative care?
Yes. The code has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for 38505?
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
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