CPT code 42806: Nasopharyngeal biopsy, directly visualized tissue sampling2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Hampshire

ENT clinicians use this code to obtain tissue from a nasopharyngeal abnormality under direct visualization when surgical biopsy, rather than brush or wash sampling, is performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality97 Medicare services in 2024

In New Hampshire, Medicare pays $246.95 for 42806 in the office and $130.47 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$246.95Office (non-facility)
$130.47Hospital or facility
+2.7%vs the national office rate ($240.49)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 42806 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 42806 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Hampshire
  2. What 42806 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 42806 covers

An otolaryngologist uses directly visualized surgical instruments to obtain tissue from an abnormal area in the nasopharynx, the space behind the nasal cavity and above the soft palate. Typical indications include a visible mass, irregular mucosa, or other suspicious finding requiring tissue diagnosis. The procedure may be performed in an operating room or another setting where the clinician can directly visualize and sample the target.

Choose this code for a nasopharyngeal tissue biopsy performed under direct visualization; brush or washing-based sampling is represented by a different code. The operative note should identify the nasopharyngeal target, the direct-visualization approach, and the tissue sampling performed. Medicare includes related postoperative visits for 10 days in the procedure’s global period. 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. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, 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 New Hampshire compares for 42806

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 42806 runs from $211.54 in Arkansas to $322.49 in San Benito County, CA. New Hampshire pays $246.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

42806 in New Hampshire vs other payment areas
  1. New Hampshire · this page$246.95
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$273.14+$26.19
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$276.23+$29.28
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$259.10+$12.15
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$251.27+$4.32
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$277.36+$30.41
  7. Alaska · Alaska$275.44+$28.49

Other areas in New Hampshire first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

42806 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$214.79$116.89
ArkansasArkansas$211.54$115.42
ArizonaArizona$233.85$125.42
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$255.91$133.27
Chico, CACalifornia$255.26$132.63
El Centro, CACalifornia$255.30$132.66
Fresno, CACalifornia$255.26$132.63
Hanford, CACalifornia$255.26$132.63

42806 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.

$211.54

$288.88

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

View every state and territory as a table
42806 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$275.441
AL$214.791
AR$211.541
AZ$233.851
CA$255.26–$322.4929
CO$251.041
CT$256.951
DC$276.231
DE$237.851
FL$236.26–$259.103
GA$222.45–$245.002
GU$262.061
HI$262.061
IA$220.751
ID$222.211
IL$228.96–$251.394
IN$223.571
KS$219.561
KY$219.881
LA$219.47–$230.862
MA$249.39–$276.782
MD$242.58–$276.233
ME$223.31–$236.152
MI$225.77–$239.232
MN$240.531
MO$215.45–$231.863
MS$213.541
MT$240.471
NC$225.771
ND$236.121
NE$222.051
NH$246.951
NJ$259.89–$273.142
NM$227.021
NV$239.441
NY$229.30–$284.215
OH$224.881
OK$219.581
OR$237.58–$259.442
PA$225.32–$250.242
PR$242.361
RI$246.641
SC$225.701
SD$235.611
TN$220.701
TX$223.76–$250.208
UT$228.941
VA$235.27–$276.232
VI$242.361
VT$235.061
WA$248.96–$282.662
WI$227.841
WV$220.071
WY$238.581

See 42806 in every payment locality

How the 42806 rate is calculated

Each of 42806’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 · 42806

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.59

1.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.39

5.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.22

0.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.2000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$240.49

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

The exact New Hampshire inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,073

Code
42806
Physician work
1.59
Practice expense
5.39
Malpractice
0.22

GPCI2026.csv

74

Locality
New Hampshire
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.041
Malpractice
0.875
Office calculation for 42806 in New Hampshire
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.59× 1.0001.5900
Practice expense5.39× 1.0415.6110
Malpractice0.22× 0.8750.1925
Total RVUs7.3935
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Hampshire$246.95

Office: (1.59 × 1 + 5.39 × 1.041 + 0.22 × 0.875) × $33.4009 = $246.95

Facility: (1.59 × 1 + 2.04 × 1.041 + 0.22 × 0.875) × $33.4009 = $130.47

Open 42806 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 42806

42806 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 42806

Nasopharyngeal biopsy, directly visualized tissue sampling

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 · 42806

Nasopharyngeal biopsy, directly visualized tissue sampling

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

42806 without 51 · national office

$240.49

Nasopharyngeal biopsy, directly visualized tissue sampling

42806-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$120.25

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 42806 has changed in New Hampshire

42806 · Office / nonfacility

$246.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.94 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $238.01 to $246.95 (3.8%).

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

    $238.01changed to$246.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.63 changed to 1.59
    • Practice expense RVU 5.34 changed to 5.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.041
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.898 changed to 0.875

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $247.99changed to$238.01

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.42 changed to 5.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $243.94changed to$247.99

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $252.59changed to$243.94

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.898
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $255.53changed to$252.59

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.34 changed to 5.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.036
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.917 changed to 0.907

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $246.46changed to$255.53

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.04 changed to 5.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $235.09changed to$246.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.47 changed to 5.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.917

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $235.42changed to$235.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.45 changed to 4.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.050 changed to 0.984

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $231.40changed to$235.42

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.35 changed to 4.45

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $233.66changed to$231.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.42 changed to 4.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.962 changed to 1.050

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $236.71changed to$233.66

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.51 changed to 4.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.052
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.873 changed to 0.962

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $235.66changed to$236.71

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.46 changed to 4.51

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $234.49changed to$235.66

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $235.47changed to$234.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.53 changed to 4.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.058
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.867 changed to 0.873

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$235.47

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$246.95$130.47RVU26D
2026-07-01$246.95$130.47RVU26C
2026-04-01$246.95$130.47RVU26B
2026-01-01$246.95$130.47RVU26A
2025-10-01$238.01$141.01RVU25D
2025-07-01$238.01$141.01RVU25C
2025-04-01$238.01$141.01RVU25B
2025-01-01$238.01$141.01RVU25A
2024-10-01$247.99$145.07RVU24D
2024-07-01$247.99$145.07RVU24C
2024-04-01$247.99$145.07RVU24B
2024-03-09$247.99$145.07RVU24AR
2024-01-01$243.94$142.70RVU24A
2023-10-01$252.59$146.21RVU23D
2023-07-01$252.59$146.21RVU23C
2023-04-01$252.59$146.21RVU23B
2023-01-01$252.59$146.21RVU23A
2022-10-01$255.53$146.33RVU22D
2022-07-01$255.53$146.33RVU22C
2022-04-01$255.53$146.33RVU22B
2022-01-01$255.53$146.33RVU22A
2021-10-01$246.46$141.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$246.46$141.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$246.46$141.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$246.46$141.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$235.09$140.32RVU20D
2020-07-01$235.09$140.32RVU20C
2020-04-01$235.09$140.32RVU20B
2020-01-01$235.09$140.32RVU20A
2019-10-01$235.42$140.89RVU19D
2019-07-01$235.42$140.89RVU19C
2019-04-01$235.42$140.89RVU19B
2019-01-01$235.42$140.89RVU19A
2018-10-01$231.40$139.23RVU18D
2018-07-01$231.40$139.23RVU18C
2018-04-01$231.40$139.23RVU18B
2018-01-01$231.40$139.23RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$233.66$139.65RVU17D
2017-07-01$233.66$139.65RVU17C
2017-04-01$233.66$139.65RVU17B
2017-01-01$233.66$139.65RVU17A
2016-10-01$236.71$140.87RVU16D
2016-07-01$236.71$140.87RVU16C
2016-04-01$236.71$140.87RVU16B
2016-01-01$236.71$140.87RVU16A
2015-10-01$235.66$140.61RVU15D
2015-07-01$235.66$140.61RVU15C
2015-04-01$234.49$139.92RVU15B
2015-01-01$234.49$139.92RVU15A
2014-10-01$235.47$139.84RVU14D
2014-07-01$235.47$139.84RVU14C
2014-04-01$235.47$139.84RVU14B
2014-01-01$235.47$139.84RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 42806 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Hampshire rate applies

New Hampshire is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 100 cities and communities in New Hampshire. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Alton
  • Amherst
  • Antrim
  • Ashland
  • Bartlett
  • Belmont
  • Bennington
  • Berlin

Browse all communities in New Hampshire

42806 billing questions

How do I distinguish this code from 42804?

Use this code for a directly visualized surgical tissue biopsy of the nasopharynx. Code 42804 describes nasopharyngeal sampling by brush or washings.

When is 42800 a better choice?

Code 42800 is for biopsy of the pharynx. Choose this code when the sampled target is in the nasopharynx and the biopsy is performed under direct visualization.

Does excising a lesion support this biopsy code?

A tissue sample taken for diagnosis supports a biopsy. When the procedure removes a pharyngeal lesion rather than sampling it, compare the documentation with code 42808.

What documentation supports reporting this service?

Document the nasopharyngeal site, the abnormality sampled, direct visualization, and the tissue biopsy performed. The note should distinguish tissue sampling from brush or washing collection.

Are postoperative visits included?

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

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral sampling?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this service.

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 42806PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,073 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New HampshireGPCI2026.csv, line 74 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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