CPT code 38573: Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, bilateral pelvic with para-aortic sampling2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports laparoscopic removal of grossly visible bilateral pelvic lymph nodes with para-aortic node sampling, commonly during surgical cancer staging.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 38573 in Texas.
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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What 38573 covers
A surgeon, often a gynecologic oncologist, performs this laparoscopic procedure to remove grossly visible lymph nodes from both sides of the pelvis, including external iliac, hypogastric, and obturator groups, while sampling para-aortic nodes. It is commonly part of operative staging for pelvic malignancies, such as endometrial or ovarian cancer, in a hospital operating room. The pelvic dissection and para-aortic sampling are part of the coded service rather than separate descriptions of the same work.
Report the code when the documented laparoscopic procedure includes the bilateral pelvic dissection and para-aortic sampling; document the approach, nodal regions addressed, and extent of removal. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, including related postoperative visits during that period. The service is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. An assistant at surgery may be paid, and co-surgeons are permitted; team surgery is 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 38573 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Unavailable | $1,082.83 |
| Beaumont, TX | Unavailable | $1,044.87 |
| Brazoria, TX | Unavailable | $1,052.46 |
| Dallas, TX | Unavailable | $1,065.55 |
| Fort Worth, TX | Unavailable | $1,064.49 |
| Galveston, TX | Unavailable | $1,059.80 |
| Houston, TX | Unavailable | $1,137.04 |
| Rest of Texas | Unavailable | $1,052.46 |
How the 38573 rate is calculated
Each of 38573’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 · 38573
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work19.50
19.50 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense8.64
8.64 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice4.22
4.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
32.3600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,080.85
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 38573
38573 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 38573
Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, bilateral pelvic with para-aortic sampling
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 2 | Permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 38573
Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, bilateral pelvic with para-aortic sampling
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.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
38573 without 51 · national facility
$1,080.85
Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, bilateral pelvic with para-aortic sampling
38573-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$540.43
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%).
38573 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 38571Pelvic lymphadenectomyLaparoscopic, bilateral
- Use 38571 for bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy without para-aortic sampling. Code 38573 includes para-aortic sampling and the specified grossly visible pelvic-node removal.
- 38572Laparoscopic lymphadenectomyPelvic dissection plus para-aortic sampling
- Both codes describe bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy with peri-aortic sampling. For 38573, the operative documentation must support the more specifically described removal of grossly visible pelvic nodes.
- 38570Laparoscopic node biopsyRetroperitoneal sampling
- Code 38570 is for laparoscopic retroperitoneal node sampling. It is not the choice for the bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy with para-aortic sampling represented by 38573.
38573 billing questions
How does this differ from 38571?
Code 38571 describes bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy. Code 38573 also includes para-aortic node sampling and removal of grossly visible pelvic nodes.
When would 38572 be considered instead?
Code 38572 covers bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy with peri-aortic sampling. Select 38573 when the documented service includes the specified grossly visible pelvic-node removal along with para-aortic sampling.
Should modifier 50 be appended for the bilateral dissection?
CMS prices 38573 as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
CMS permits payment for an assistant at surgery and permits co-surgeons. Team surgery is not permitted.
What documentation supports reporting 38573?
Document the laparoscopic approach, bilateral pelvic nodal dissection and the pelvic regions treated, plus the para-aortic sampling. The operative report should support the extent represented by this code.
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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