CPT code 38770: Pelvic lymphadenectomy, external iliac, hypogastric, obturator2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 38770 in California.

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

What 38770 covers

This code describes an open pelvic lymphadenectomy involving nodal tissue in the external iliac, hypogastric, and obturator regions. Urologists and gynecologic oncologists commonly perform it during cancer surgery, such as prostate, bladder, or gynecologic cancer operations. The service is distinct from removing groin nodes or performing a laparoscopic pelvic dissection. The operative report should identify the pelvic nodal fields dissected and the extent of the removal.

Report the code when the documented operation includes this pelvic lymph node dissection, rather than a limited sentinel-node procedure or a dissection confined to another region. It has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. 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. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; 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 38770 pays more and less in California

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

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 38770 rate is calculated

Each of 38770’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 38770

38770 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

38770 compared with similar codes

How to choose

38571Pelvic lymphadenectomyLaparoscopic, bilateral

Use 38571 for laparoscopic bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy; this code describes an open pelvic dissection.

38572Laparoscopic lymphadenectomyPelvic dissection plus para-aortic sampling

Use 38572 when the laparoscopic pelvic dissection also includes peri-aortic node sampling. This code describes open pelvic lymphadenectomy.

38780Abdominal node dissectionExtensive retroperitoneal dissection

This code covers pelvic nodal dissection. 38780 is for a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with a broader abdominal nodal field.

38760Groin lymphadenectomySuperficial, includes Cloquet's node

This code covers pelvic nodes; 38760 is for superficial inguinal nodes in the groin.

Codes related to 38770

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