FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 41105: Tongue biopsy, posterior one-third2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports tissue sampling from the posterior one-third of the tongue to evaluate a suspicious lesion or other abnormal tissue.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $216.74 for 41105 in the office and $112.08 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$216.74Office (non-facility)
$112.08Hospital or facility
+14.4%vs the national office rate ($189.38)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 41105 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 41105 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 41105 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 41105 covers

This service is a tissue sample taken from the posterior one-third of the tongue for diagnostic evaluation, such as investigation of a suspicious ulcer, mass, or mucosal change. An otolaryngologist, head-and-neck surgeon, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon may perform it in an office, procedure room, or operating room, depending on access and the patient’s needs. The sample is submitted for pathologic examination; this code describes the biopsy procedure, not the pathology interpretation.

Choose this code for a biopsy from the posterior tongue, rather than the anterior two-thirds or the floor of the mouth. The note should identify the sampled site and the lesion or abnormal tissue prompting the biopsy. It has a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures subject to the standard reduction are performed in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Washington, DC area compares for 41105

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 41105 runs from $167.12 in Arkansas to $251.18 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $216.74. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

41105 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$216.74
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$213.79−$2.95
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$205.13−$11.61
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$199.04−$17.70
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$218.21+$1.47
  6. Alaska · Alaska$219.04+$2.30
  7. Alabama · Alabama$169.62−$47.12

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

41105 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$167.12$90.80
ArizonaArizona$184.24$98.15
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$200.63$103.26
Chico, CACalifornia$200.05$102.67
El Centro, CACalifornia$200.08$102.71
Fresno, CACalifornia$200.05$102.67
Hanford, CACalifornia$200.05$102.67
Madera, CACalifornia$200.05$102.67

41105 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$167.12

$225.62

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

View every state and territory as a table
41105 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$219.041
AL$169.621
AR$167.121
AZ$184.241
CA$200.05–$251.1829
CO$197.131
CT$202.131
DC$216.741
DE$187.331
FL$186.81–$205.133
GA$176.09–$193.032
GU$205.061
HI$205.061
IA$173.891
ID$175.071
IL$181.40–$199.044
IN$176.101
KS$173.121
KY$173.841
LA$173.58–$182.332
MA$195.94–$216.782
MD$190.93–$216.743
ME$176.06–$185.702
MI$178.51–$189.242
MN$188.591
MO$170.59–$182.923
MS$168.881
MT$189.371
NC$177.931
ND$185.421
NE$174.841
NH$194.081
NJ$204.36–$214.442
NM$179.531
NV$188.401
NY$180.65–$223.675
OH$177.701
OK$173.451
OR$186.86–$203.422
PA$177.95–$197.062
PR$190.771
RI$194.021
SC$178.131
SD$184.951
TN$174.011
TX$176.76–$196.548
UT$180.611
VA$185.13–$216.742
VI$190.771
VT$184.731
WA$195.56–$221.182
WI$179.091
WV$174.591
WY$187.651

See 41105 in every payment locality

How the 41105 rate is calculated

Each of 41105’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 · 41105

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.43

1.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.04

4.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.6700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$189.38

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,896

Code
41105
Physician work
1.43
Practice expense
4.04
Malpractice
0.20

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 41105 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.43× 1.0541.5072
Practice expense4.04× 1.1784.7591
Malpractice0.20× 1.1130.2226
Total RVUs6.4889
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$216.74

Office: (1.43 × 1.054 + 4.04 × 1.178 + 0.2 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $216.74

Facility: (1.43 × 1.054 + 1.38 × 1.178 + 0.2 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $112.08

Open 41105 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 41105

41105 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 41105

Tongue biopsy, posterior one-third

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 41105

Tongue biopsy, posterior one-third

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.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

41105 without 51 · national office

$189.38

Tongue biopsy, posterior one-third

41105-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$94.69

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

Codes related to 41105

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

Codes related to 41105
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
41100Tongue biopsy, anterior two-thirdsBiopsy of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.$215.39
Used instead
41108Oral biopsy, floor of mouthBiopsy code for a lesion sampled from the floor of the mouth.$195.52
41110Tongue lesion excision, without closureTongue lesion excision when the lesion is removed rather than sampled.$260.41
41112Tongue excision, anterior two-thirds, with closureTongue lesion excision with closure, rather than diagnostic tissue sampling.$391.04
41113Tongue lesion excision, complicated closurePosterior tongue lesion excision with closure, rather than biopsy.$419.37

How 41105 has changed in Washington, DC area

41105 · Office / nonfacility

$216.74

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.99 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $209.75 to $216.74 (3.3%).

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

    $209.75changed to$216.74

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.47 changed to 1.43
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 4.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.20
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $218.22changed to$209.75

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.01 changed to 3.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $214.66changed to$218.22

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $225.09changed to$214.66

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.00 changed to 4.01
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $231.51changed to$225.09

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 4.00
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $229.51changed to$231.51

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.89 changed to 3.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.19

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $213.77changed to$229.51

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.40 changed to 3.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $209.99changed to$213.77

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.18
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $205.42changed to$209.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.22 changed to 3.32

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $205.90changed to$205.42

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.24 changed to 3.22
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $207.37changed to$205.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.28 changed to 3.24
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $207.69changed to$207.37

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 3.28

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $206.65changed to$207.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $204.73changed to$206.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.28 changed to 3.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $207.70changed to$204.73

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.62 changed to 3.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.19
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $207.70

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$216.74$112.08RVU26D
2026-07-01$216.74$112.08RVU26C
2026-04-01$216.74$112.08RVU26B
2026-01-01$216.74$112.08RVU26A
2025-10-01$209.75$122.61RVU25D
2025-07-01$209.75$122.61RVU25C
2025-04-01$209.75$122.61RVU25B
2025-01-01$209.75$122.61RVU25A
2024-10-01$218.22$125.37RVU24D
2024-07-01$218.22$125.37RVU24C
2024-04-01$218.22$125.37RVU24B
2024-03-09$218.22$125.37RVU24AR
2024-01-01$214.66$123.33RVU24A
2023-10-01$225.09$128.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$225.09$128.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$225.09$128.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$225.09$128.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$231.51$129.71RVU22D
2022-07-01$231.51$129.71RVU22C
2022-04-01$231.51$129.71RVU22B
2022-01-01$231.51$129.71RVU22A
2021-10-01$229.51$129.45RVU21D
2021-07-01$229.51$129.45RVU21C
2021-04-01$229.51$129.45RVU21B
2021-01-01$229.51$129.45RVU21A
2020-10-01$213.77$128.28RVU20D
2020-07-01$213.77$128.28RVU20C
2020-04-01$213.77$128.28RVU20B
2020-01-01$213.77$128.28RVU20A
2019-10-01$209.99$130.52RVU19D
2019-07-01$209.99$130.52RVU19C
2019-04-01$209.99$130.52RVU19B
2019-01-01$209.99$130.52RVU19A
2018-10-01$205.42$131.68RVU18D
2018-07-01$205.42$131.68RVU18C
2018-04-01$205.42$131.68RVU18B
2018-01-01$205.42$131.68RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$205.90$133.24RVU17D
2017-07-01$205.90$133.24RVU17C
2017-04-01$205.90$133.24RVU17B
2017-01-01$205.90$133.24RVU17A
2016-10-01$207.37$133.59RVU16D
2016-07-01$207.37$133.59RVU16C
2016-04-01$207.37$133.59RVU16B
2016-01-01$207.37$133.59RVU16A
2015-10-01$207.69$134.08RVU15D
2015-07-01$207.69$134.08RVU15C
2015-04-01$206.65$133.41RVU15B
2015-01-01$206.65$133.41RVU15A
2014-10-01$204.73$131.96RVU14D
2014-07-01$204.73$131.96RVU14C
2014-04-01$204.73$131.96RVU14B
2014-01-01$204.73$131.96RVU14A
2013-10-01$207.70$130.67RVU13D
2013-07-01$207.70$130.67RVU13C
2013-04-01$207.70$130.67RVU13B
2013-01-01$207.70$130.67RVU13AR

Price 41105 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

41105 billing questions

How is 41105 distinguished from 41100?

41105 is for a biopsy of the posterior one-third of the tongue; 41100 is for the anterior two-thirds. The documentation should identify which part of the tongue was sampled.

Can 41105 be used for a floor-of-mouth biopsy?

No. A biopsy of the floor of the mouth is reported with 41108; 41105 is for the posterior tongue.

When would a tongue lesion excision code be more appropriate?

Use a biopsy code when tissue is sampled for diagnosis. When the lesion is removed rather than sampled, consider the applicable tongue lesion excision code, such as 41110.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for a biopsy of both sides of the tongue?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so do not append modifier 50.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be billed?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 41105PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,896 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 41105 pays in Washington, DC area?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 41105 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist