CPT code 41018: Abscess drainage, parapharyngeal space, external approach2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports surgical drainage of an abscess in the parapharyngeal space through an external approach, typically for a deep neck infection requiring operative access.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $516.12 for 41018 in the office and $354.07 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 41018 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 41018 covers
This service involves surgically opening and draining an infected collection in the parapharyngeal space through an external, typically transcervical, approach. It is generally performed by an otolaryngologist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon in an operating room when the infection’s location or extent calls for operative access to this deep space. The operative work addresses the parapharyngeal collection, rather than a more superficial mouth or neck abscess.
Report the code when the documented site is the parapharyngeal space and the surgeon performs external drainage. The operative note should identify the involved space, approach, and drainage performed; a general diagnosis of a neck abscess alone does not establish the specific service. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 North Carolina compares for 41018
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 41018 runs from $486.93 in Arkansas to $712.93 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $516.12. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$516.12
- Los Angeles, CA · California$612.36+$96.24
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$623.44+$107.32
- Miami, FL · Florida$599.25+$83.13
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$582.12+$66.00
- Manhattan, NY · New York$630.68+$114.56
- Alaska · Alaska$645.86+$129.74
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $493.81 | $341.84 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $486.93 | $337.73 |
| ArizonaArizona | $534.03 | $365.73 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $576.45 | $386.10 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $574.50 | $384.14 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $660.29 | $431.37 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $608.82 | $403.53 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $582.07 | $391.71 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $601.38 | $399.38 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $599.11 | $397.81 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $612.21 | $404.48 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $697.20 | $452.30 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $696.39 | $451.50 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $712.93 | $462.47 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $709.63 | $459.18 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $589.64 | $391.81 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $617.27 | $406.25 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $601.08 | $398.57 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $623.42 | $410.13 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $659.12 | $430.21 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $574.38 | $384.02 |
| ColoradoColorado | $567.99 | $383.19 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $584.14 | $397.08 |
| DelawareDelaware | $542.64 | $371.04 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $572.22 | $396.27 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $544.76 | $378.72 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $559.39 | $382.93 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $514.69 | $359.76 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $587.06 | $389.58 |
| IowaIowa | $503.99 | $345.07 |
| IdahoIdaho | $507.57 | $347.78 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $544.11 | $384.32 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $530.93 | $372.36 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $577.52 | $399.14 |
| IndianaIndiana | $510.36 | $349.35 |
| KansasKansas | $502.63 | $345.62 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $507.05 | $352.65 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $530.74 | $367.30 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $506.65 | $352.94 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $621.62 | $414.24 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $565.15 | $382.26 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $582.68 | $396.31 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $552.45 | $376.69 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $511.10 | $351.31 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $536.50 | $364.38 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $552.30 | $384.69 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $520.64 | $362.07 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $542.03 | $363.31 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $526.26 | $363.17 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $531.46 | $366.12 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $498.88 | $349.16 |
| MississippiMississippi | $492.95 | $343.41 |
| MontanaMontana | $548.40 | $374.71 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $534.36 | $360.67 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $506.38 | $346.07 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $560.02 | $379.22 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $617.52 | $416.05 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $590.18 | $400.51 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $523.77 | $364.50 |
| NevadaNevada | $544.84 | $370.98 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $646.69 | $440.18 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $594.77 | $404.59 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $634.36 | $429.07 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $523.66 | $358.66 |
| OhioOhio | $517.77 | $359.20 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $505.20 | $350.10 |
| Portland, OROregon | $584.47 | $391.50 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $539.98 | $366.99 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $570.62 | $389.82 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $518.05 | $358.61 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $551.99 | $376.39 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $560.82 | $381.40 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $517.93 | $357.44 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $532.70 | $359.01 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $505.18 | $347.30 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $566.65 | $382.89 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $514.83 | $356.78 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $541.39 | $369.27 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $545.19 | $372.20 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $541.95 | $370.69 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $543.24 | $370.77 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $556.24 | $383.77 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $528.05 | $363.23 |
| UtahUtah | $524.74 | $361.48 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $535.44 | $364.71 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $551.99 | $376.39 |
| VermontVermont | $533.18 | $361.23 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $563.79 | $380.90 |
| King County, WAWashington | $633.12 | $420.01 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $517.13 | $350.74 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $512.20 | $361.26 |
| WyomingWyoming | $542.28 | $368.59 |
41018 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.
$486.93
$645.86
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 | $645.86 | 1 |
| AL | $493.81 | 1 |
| AR | $486.93 | 1 |
| AZ | $534.03 | 1 |
| CA | $574.38–$712.93 | 29 |
| CO | $567.99 | 1 |
| CT | $584.14 | 1 |
| DC | $623.44 | 1 |
| DE | $542.64 | 1 |
| FL | $544.76–$599.25 | 3 |
| GA | $514.69–$559.39 | 2 |
| GU | $587.06 | 1 |
| HI | $587.06 | 1 |
| IA | $503.99 | 1 |
| ID | $507.57 | 1 |
| IL | $530.93–$582.12 | 4 |
| IN | $510.36 | 1 |
| KS | $502.63 | 1 |
| KY | $507.05 | 1 |
| LA | $506.65–$530.74 | 2 |
| MA | $565.15–$621.62 | 2 |
| MD | $552.45–$623.44 | 3 |
| ME | $511.10–$536.50 | 2 |
| MI | $520.64–$552.30 | 2 |
| MN | $542.03 | 1 |
| MO | $498.88–$531.46 | 3 |
| MS | $492.95 | 1 |
| MT | $548.40 | 1 |
| NC | $516.12 | 1 |
| ND | $534.36 | 1 |
| NE | $506.38 | 1 |
| NH | $560.02 | 1 |
| NJ | $590.18–$617.52 | 2 |
| NM | $523.77 | 1 |
| NV | $544.84 | 1 |
| NY | $523.66–$646.69 | 5 |
| OH | $517.77 | 1 |
| OK | $505.20 | 1 |
| OR | $539.98–$584.47 | 2 |
| PA | $518.05–$570.62 | 2 |
| PR | $551.99 | 1 |
| RI | $560.82 | 1 |
| SC | $517.93 | 1 |
| SD | $532.70 | 1 |
| TN | $505.18 | 1 |
| TX | $514.83–$566.65 | 8 |
| UT | $524.74 | 1 |
| VA | $535.44–$623.44 | 2 |
| VI | $551.99 | 1 |
| VT | $533.18 | 1 |
| WA | $563.79–$633.12 | 2 |
| WI | $517.13 | 1 |
| WV | $512.20 | 1 |
| WY | $542.28 | 1 |
How the 41018 rate is calculated
Each of 41018’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 · 41018
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.09
5.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense10.62
10.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.71
0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
16.4200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$548.44
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,893
- Code
- 41018
- Physician work
- 5.09
- Practice expense
- 10.62
- Malpractice
- 0.71
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 5.09 | × 1.000 | 5.0900 |
| Practice expense | 10.62 | × 0.933 | 9.9085 |
| Malpractice | 0.71 | × 0.639 | 0.4537 |
| Total RVUs | 15.4521 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$516.12
Office: (5.09 × 1 + 10.62 × 0.933 + 0.71 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $516.12
Facility: (5.09 × 1 + 5.42 × 0.933 + 0.71 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $354.07
Payment rules and modifiers for 41018
41018 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 41018
Abscess drainage, parapharyngeal space, external approach
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.09/0.81/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 41018
Abscess drainage, parapharyngeal space, external approach
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
41018 without 51 · national office
$548.44
Abscess drainage, parapharyngeal space, external approach
41018-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$274.22
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%).
How 41018 has changed in North Carolina
41018 · Office / nonfacility
$516.12
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $34.54 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $481.58 to $516.12 (7.2%).
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
$481.58changed to$516.12
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 5.22 changed to 5.09
- Practice expense RVU 10.01 changed to 10.62
- Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.71
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$493.21changed to$481.58
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 9.94 changed to 10.01
- Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.60
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$485.16changed to$493.21
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$505.42changed to$485.16
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 10.01 changed to 9.94
- Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.59
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$510.92changed to$505.42
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 9.79 changed to 10.01
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$511.74changed to$510.92
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 9.72 changed to 9.79
- Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.56
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$499.29changed to$511.74
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 8.84 changed to 9.72
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$499.98changed to$499.29
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 8.66 changed to 8.84
- Malpractice RVU 0.85 changed to 0.52
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$497.00changed to$499.98
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 8.58 changed to 8.66
- Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.85
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$498.69changed to$497.00
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 8.65 changed to 8.58
- Malpractice RVU 0.85 changed to 0.86
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$501.18changed to$498.69
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 8.72 changed to 8.65
- Malpractice RVU 0.87 changed to 0.85
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$501.10changed to$501.18
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 8.68 changed to 8.72
- Malpractice RVU 0.85 changed to 0.87
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$498.61changed to$501.10
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$491.98changed to$498.61
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 8.66 changed to 8.68
- Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.85
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$501.58changed to$491.98
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 9.77 changed to 8.66
- Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.64
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $501.58
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $516.12 | $354.07 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $516.12 | $354.07 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $516.12 | $354.07 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $516.12 | $354.07 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $481.58 | $371.66 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $481.58 | $371.66 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $481.58 | $371.66 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $481.58 | $371.66 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $493.21 | $377.93 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $493.21 | $377.93 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $493.21 | $377.93 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $493.21 | $377.93 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $485.16 | $371.76 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $505.42 | $385.11 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $505.42 | $385.11 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $505.42 | $385.11 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $505.42 | $385.11 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $510.92 | $388.24 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $510.92 | $388.24 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $510.92 | $388.24 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $510.92 | $388.24 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $511.74 | $390.64 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $511.74 | $390.64 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $511.74 | $390.64 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $511.74 | $390.64 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $499.29 | $394.58 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $499.29 | $394.58 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $499.29 | $394.58 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $499.29 | $394.58 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $499.98 | $404.02 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $499.98 | $404.02 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $499.98 | $404.02 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $499.98 | $404.02 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $497.00 | $408.18 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $497.00 | $408.18 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $497.00 | $408.18 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $497.00 | $408.18 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $498.69 | $410.81 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $498.69 | $410.81 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $498.69 | $410.81 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $498.69 | $410.81 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $501.18 | $413.27 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $501.18 | $413.27 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $501.18 | $413.27 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $501.18 | $413.27 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $501.10 | $412.21 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $501.10 | $412.21 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $498.61 | $410.16 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $498.61 | $410.16 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $491.98 | $405.12 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $491.98 | $405.12 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $491.98 | $405.12 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $491.98 | $405.12 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $501.58 | $403.49 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $501.58 | $403.49 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $501.58 | $403.49 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $501.58 | $403.49 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
41018 billing questions
How is this distinguished from drainage of a masticator-space abscess?
Use this code for drainage of a parapharyngeal-space collection by an external approach. A collection in the masticator space belongs to the code for that space, even when the infection is also described as a deep neck infection.
Does an intraoral drainage approach qualify?
This code describes external drainage. Confirm the documented operative approach and the infected space rather than selecting the code from the diagnosis alone.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
The operative report should identify the parapharyngeal space, describe the external approach, and document that the collection was surgically drained.
Is the related postoperative care separately reported during the global period?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. The code’s global period does not make unrelated services part of that package.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.
How is payment adjusted when another procedure is performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedure or procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for 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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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