CPT code 41105: Tongue biopsy, posterior one-third2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

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 North Carolina, Medicare pays $177.93 for 41105 in the office and $95.04 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$177.93Office (non-facility)
$95.04Hospital or facility
−6.0%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 North Carolina
  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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $177.93. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

41105 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$177.93
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$213.79+$35.86
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$216.74+$38.81
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$205.13+$27.20
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$199.04+$21.11
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$218.21+$40.28
  7. Alaska · Alaska$219.04+$41.11

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

Every other payment area

41105 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$169.62$91.88
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

41105 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.

$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 North Carolina 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

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 41105 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.43× 1.0001.4300
Practice expense4.04× 0.9333.7693
Malpractice0.20× 0.6390.1278
Total RVUs5.3271
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$177.93

Office: (1.43 × 1 + 4.04 × 0.933 + 0.2 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $177.93

Facility: (1.43 × 1 + 1.38 × 0.933 + 0.2 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $95.04

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

How 41105 has changed in North Carolina

41105 · Office / nonfacility

$177.93

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.90 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $170.03 to $177.93 (4.6%).

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

    $170.03changed to$177.93

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $176.74changed to$170.03

    • 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

    $173.86changed to$176.74

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $180.25changed to$173.86

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.00 changed to 4.01
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $183.43changed to$180.25

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 4.00
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $182.11changed to$183.43

    • 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

    $172.08changed to$182.11

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $170.13changed to$172.08

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $166.59changed to$170.13

    • 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

    $167.05changed to$166.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.24 changed to 3.22
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $168.17changed to$167.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.28 changed to 3.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $168.45changed to$168.17

    • 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

    $167.61changed to$168.45

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $166.80changed to$167.61

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $168.92changed to$166.80

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $168.92

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$177.93$95.04RVU26D
2026-07-01$177.93$95.04RVU26C
2026-04-01$177.93$95.04RVU26B
2026-01-01$177.93$95.04RVU26A
2025-10-01$170.03$102.34RVU25D
2025-07-01$170.03$102.34RVU25C
2025-04-01$170.03$102.34RVU25B
2025-01-01$170.03$102.34RVU25A
2024-10-01$176.74$104.61RVU24D
2024-07-01$176.74$104.61RVU24C
2024-04-01$176.74$104.61RVU24B
2024-03-09$176.74$104.61RVU24AR
2024-01-01$173.86$102.91RVU24A
2023-10-01$180.25$106.11RVU23D
2023-07-01$180.25$106.11RVU23C
2023-04-01$180.25$106.11RVU23B
2023-01-01$180.25$106.11RVU23A
2022-10-01$183.43$107.00RVU22D
2022-07-01$183.43$107.00RVU22C
2022-04-01$183.43$107.00RVU22B
2022-01-01$183.43$107.00RVU22A
2021-10-01$182.11$106.99RVU21D
2021-07-01$182.11$106.99RVU21C
2021-04-01$182.11$106.99RVU21B
2021-01-01$182.11$106.99RVU21A
2020-10-01$172.08$106.97RVU20D
2020-07-01$172.08$106.97RVU20C
2020-04-01$172.08$106.97RVU20B
2020-01-01$172.08$106.97RVU20A
2019-10-01$170.13$108.73RVU19D
2019-07-01$170.13$108.73RVU19C
2019-04-01$170.13$108.73RVU19B
2019-01-01$170.13$108.73RVU19A
2018-10-01$166.59$109.62RVU18D
2018-07-01$166.59$109.62RVU18C
2018-04-01$166.59$109.62RVU18B
2018-01-01$166.59$109.62RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$167.05$110.92RVU17D
2017-07-01$167.05$110.92RVU17C
2017-04-01$167.05$110.92RVU17B
2017-01-01$167.05$110.92RVU17A
2016-10-01$168.17$111.23RVU16D
2016-07-01$168.17$111.23RVU16C
2016-04-01$168.17$111.23RVU16B
2016-01-01$168.17$111.23RVU16A
2015-10-01$168.45$111.64RVU15D
2015-07-01$168.45$111.64RVU15C
2015-04-01$167.61$111.08RVU15B
2015-01-01$167.61$111.08RVU15A
2014-10-01$166.80$110.56RVU14D
2014-07-01$166.80$110.56RVU14C
2014-04-01$166.80$110.56RVU14B
2014-01-01$166.80$110.56RVU14A
2013-10-01$168.92$109.31RVU13D
2013-07-01$168.92$109.31RVU13C
2013-04-01$168.92$109.31RVU13B
2013-01-01$168.92$109.31RVU13AR

Price 41105 for an earlier date of service

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

Browse all communities in North Carolina

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 North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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