CPT code 40490: Lip biopsy, lip tissue2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Reports a biopsy of lip tissue to obtain a specimen from a suspicious lip lesion for diagnostic examination.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality26.4K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $113.83 for 40490 in the office and $54.57 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$113.83Office (non-facility)
$54.57Hospital or facility
−5.3%vs the national office rate ($120.24)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 40490 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 40490 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 40490 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 40490 covers

A clinician removes a tissue sample from a lip lesion for diagnostic evaluation. This service is commonly performed by dermatologists, otolaryngologists, oral surgeons, and other clinicians who evaluate lip abnormalities in an office or facility setting. The target must be on the lip; a lesion elsewhere in the mouth has a site-specific biopsy code. A biopsy obtains a diagnostic sample rather than removing a lesion as definitive treatment.

Select the code from the documented biopsy site and procedure, and retain the operative note describing the lip location, lesion, and tissue sampled. The specimen may be sent for separate pathology evaluation. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. CMS does not pay for an assistant at surgery, co-surgeons, or team surgery for this service.

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 South Carolina compares for 40490

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 40490 runs from $107.51 in Arkansas to $156.56 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $113.83. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

40490 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$113.83
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$134.52+$20.69
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$136.46+$22.63
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$129.51+$15.68
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$126.09+$12.26
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$137.53+$23.70
  7. Alaska · Alaska$143.29+$29.46

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

Every other payment area

40490 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$108.94$52.83
ArkansasArkansas$107.51$52.43
ArizonaArizona$117.29$55.15
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$126.77$56.49
Chico, CACalifornia$126.40$56.12
El Centro, CACalifornia$126.42$56.14
Fresno, CACalifornia$126.40$56.12
Hanford, CACalifornia$126.40$56.12

40490 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.

$107.51

$143.29

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

View every state and territory as a table
40490 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$143.291
AL$108.941
AR$107.511
AZ$117.291
CA$126.40–$156.5629
CO$124.741
CT$127.771
DC$136.461
DE$119.121
FL$118.89–$129.513
GA$112.75–$122.392
GU$129.031
HI$129.031
IA$111.321
ID$112.011
IL$115.85–$126.094
IN$112.601
KS$110.911
KY$111.411
LA$111.28–$116.282
MA$124.12–$136.272
MD$121.23–$136.463
ME$112.61–$118.082
MI$114.11–$120.322
MN$119.641
MO$109.58–$116.583
MS$108.571
MT$120.241
NC$113.671
ND$117.861
NE$111.861
NH$122.881
NJ$129.26–$135.262
NM$114.701
NV$119.651
NY$115.23–$140.685
OH$113.621
OK$111.171
OR$118.75–$128.342
PA$113.75–$124.872
PR$121.021
RI$123.091
SC$113.831
SD$117.581
TN$111.431
TX$113.07–$124.308
UT$115.251
VA$117.76–$136.462
VI$121.021
VT$117.501
WA$123.86–$138.862
WI$114.261
WV$111.951
WY$119.201

See 40490 in every payment locality

How the 40490 rate is calculated

Each of 40490’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 · 40490

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.29

2.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.6000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$120.24

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

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,819

Code
40490
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
2.29
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 40490 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense2.29× 0.9242.1160
Malpractice0.12× 0.8500.1020
Total RVUs3.4080
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$113.83

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 2.29 × 0.924 + 0.12 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $113.83

Facility: (1.19 × 1 + 0.37 × 0.924 + 0.12 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $54.57

Open 40490 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 40490

The CMS indicators that decide how 40490 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 40490

Lip biopsy, lip tissue

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)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

40490 without 51 · national office

$120.24

Lip biopsy, lip tissue

40490-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$60.12

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%).

When to use modifier 51

How 40490 has changed in South Carolina

40490 · Office / nonfacility

$113.83

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.71 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $111.12 to $113.83 (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

    $111.12changed to$113.83

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $114.96changed to$111.12

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.33 changed to 2.31

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $113.08changed to$114.96

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $116.42changed to$113.08

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $117.36changed to$116.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.32 changed to 2.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $119.45changed to$117.36

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $119.17changed to$119.45

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $119.66changed to$119.17

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $122.49changed to$119.66

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 2.20

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $122.93changed to$122.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.30 changed to 2.29
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $122.81changed to$122.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 2.30
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $123.32changed to$122.81

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.30 changed to 2.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $122.71changed to$123.32

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $120.24changed to$122.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.23 changed to 2.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $122.63changed to$120.24

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.52 changed to 2.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $122.63

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$113.83$54.57RVU26D
2026-07-01$113.83$54.57RVU26C
2026-04-01$113.83$54.57RVU26B
2026-01-01$113.83$54.57RVU26A
2025-10-01$111.12$64.46RVU25D
2025-07-01$111.12$64.46RVU25C
2025-04-01$111.12$64.46RVU25B
2025-01-01$111.12$64.46RVU25A
2024-10-01$114.96$65.72RVU24D
2024-07-01$114.96$65.72RVU24C
2024-04-01$114.96$65.72RVU24B
2024-03-09$114.96$65.72RVU24AR
2024-01-01$113.08$64.65RVU24A
2023-10-01$116.42$66.26RVU23D
2023-07-01$116.42$66.26RVU23C
2023-04-01$116.42$66.26RVU23B
2023-01-01$116.42$66.26RVU23A
2022-10-01$117.36$66.11RVU22D
2022-07-01$117.36$66.11RVU22C
2022-04-01$117.36$66.11RVU22B
2022-01-01$117.36$66.11RVU22A
2021-10-01$119.45$67.15RVU21D
2021-07-01$119.45$67.15RVU21C
2021-04-01$119.45$67.15RVU21B
2021-01-01$119.45$67.15RVU21A
2020-10-01$119.17$69.42RVU20D
2020-07-01$119.17$69.42RVU20C
2020-04-01$119.17$69.42RVU20B
2020-01-01$119.17$69.42RVU20A
2019-10-01$119.66$70.36RVU19D
2019-07-01$119.66$70.36RVU19C
2019-04-01$119.66$70.36RVU19B
2019-01-01$119.66$70.36RVU19A
2018-10-01$122.49$70.94RVU18D
2018-07-01$122.49$70.94RVU18C
2018-04-01$122.49$70.94RVU18B
2018-01-01$122.49$70.94RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$122.93$71.87RVU17D
2017-07-01$122.93$71.87RVU17C
2017-04-01$122.93$71.87RVU17B
2017-01-01$122.93$71.87RVU17A
2016-10-01$122.81$71.87RVU16D
2016-07-01$122.81$71.87RVU16C
2016-04-01$122.81$71.87RVU16B
2016-01-01$122.81$71.87RVU16A
2015-10-01$123.32$71.87RVU15D
2015-07-01$123.32$71.87RVU15C
2015-04-01$122.71$71.52RVU15B
2015-01-01$122.71$71.52RVU15A
2014-10-01$120.24$70.96RVU14D
2014-07-01$120.24$70.96RVU14C
2014-04-01$120.24$70.96RVU14B
2014-01-01$120.24$70.96RVU14A
2013-10-01$122.63$69.12RVU13D
2013-07-01$122.63$69.12RVU13C
2013-04-01$122.63$69.12RVU13B
2013-01-01$122.63$69.12RVU13AR

Price 40490 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

40490 billing questions

How is 40490 distinguished from a biopsy elsewhere in the mouth?

Use 40490 when the sampled tissue is on the lip. Biopsies of the tongue, floor of mouth, palate, or oral vestibule have site-specific codes.

Is 40490 a biopsy or an excision?

It reports obtaining a diagnostic tissue sample from the lip. If the procedure removes a lesion rather than sampling it for diagnosis, evaluate the applicable excision code instead.

Can modifier 50 be used when both lips are sampled?

No. CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 40490, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this descriptor and anatomy.

What same-day care is included?

The 0-day global period includes the related preoperative and postoperative care furnished on the procedure date.

How does CMS handle 40490 with another procedure in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction, with payment at 50%.

What documentation supports reporting 40490?

Document that the sampled lesion is on the lip, its location and clinical description, and the tissue obtained. Include the procedure details and specimen disposition.

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 40490PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,819 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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