CPT code 38760: Groin lymphadenectomy, superficial, includes Cloquet's node2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $780.58 for 38760 nationally in a facility.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 38760 covers

This code describes an operative dissection of superficial lymph nodes in the inguinofemoral basin, including Cloquet's node. It is commonly performed by a surgical, gynecologic, or urologic oncologist for groin staging or treatment in cancers such as vulvar, penile, or skin malignancies. The service is typically performed in an operating room and involves more than removal of a single targeted node for biopsy.

Select the code based on the documented operative extent: superficial inguinofemoral dissection including Cloquet's node, rather than a pelvic node dissection or a limited node biopsy. The operative report should identify the side, nodal basin, and extent of tissue removed. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. For bilateral procedures reported with modifier 50, CMS pays 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and 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 38760 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

38760 rates by state

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

How the 38760 rate is calculated

Each of 38760’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 38760

38760 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

38760 compared with similar codes

How to choose

38765Groin lymphadenectomyWith pelvic node dissection

Choose 38765 when the operation includes pelvic lymph nodes in addition to the superficial inguinofemoral dissection; this code describes the superficial basin, including Cloquet's node.

38531Groin node surgeryOpen inguinofemoral nodes

38531 represents open biopsy or excision of inguinofemoral node(s). This code is for a broader superficial nodal basin dissection.

38770Pelvic lymphadenectomyExternal iliac, hypogastric, obturator

38770 describes pelvic lymphadenectomy. This code describes superficial inguinofemoral dissection, so select according to the nodal basin documented in the operative report.

Codes related to 38760

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates