CPT code 43251: EGD lesion removal, snare technique2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA

Reports upper endoscopy with snare removal of a polyp or other lesion in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality64.4K Medicare services in 2024

In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $582.02 for 43251 in the office and $173.48 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$582.02Office (non-facility)
$173.48Hospital or facility
+6.6%vs the national office rate ($545.77)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 43251 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 43251 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in El Centro, CA
  2. What 43251 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 43251 covers

A gastroenterologist or other qualified endoscopist uses a flexible upper endoscope and a snare to remove a polyp or other lesion from the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. The service is commonly performed in a hospital outpatient department or an ambulatory endoscopy center, with the removed tissue typically sent for pathology. The defining feature is removal by snare, rather than sampling alone or removal by a different method.

Report the service for the snare removal performed during the EGD, not once for each lesion removed in the same session. The procedure report should identify the lesion site and describe its removal technique and the findings. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. The assistant-at-surgery statutory restriction means Medicare does not pay an assistant for this procedure; 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 El Centro, CA compares for 43251

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 43251 runs from $480.25 in Arkansas to $737.72 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $582.02. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

43251 in El Centro, CA vs other payment areas
  1. El Centro, CA · this page$582.02
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$583.13+$1.11
  3. Chico, CA · California$581.95−$0.07
  4. Fresno, CA · California$581.95−$0.07
  5. Hanford, CA · California$581.95−$0.07
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$622.85+$40.83
  7. Madera, CA · California$581.95−$0.07

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

Every other payment area

43251 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$581.95$173.41
Modesto, CACalifornia$581.95$173.41
Napa, CACalifornia$679.99$188.70
Oxnard, CACalifornia$620.43$179.84
Redding, CACalifornia$581.95$173.41
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$581.95$173.41
Riverside, CACalifornia$586.19$177.66
Sacramento, CACalifornia$612.23$178.71

43251 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.

$480.25

$659.84

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

View every state and territory as a table
43251 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$623.661
AL$487.641
AR$480.251
AZ$530.881
CA$581.95–$737.7229
CO$571.141
CT$583.091
DC$628.071
DE$539.981
FL$533.85–$582.903
GA$502.93–$555.452
GU$597.811
HI$597.811
IA$502.231
ID$505.321
IL$516.58–$567.954
IN$508.431
KS$499.001
KY$498.061
LA$496.94–$522.772
MA$567.18–$630.422
MD$550.87–$628.073
ME$507.26–$537.192
MI$510.92–$540.012
MN$548.781
MO$487.49–$525.643
MS$484.011
MT$545.741
NC$512.941
ND$538.031
NE$505.341
NH$561.361
NJ$590.18–$620.942
NM$513.541
NV$544.021
NY$520.91–$643.515
OH$509.351
OK$497.941
OR$540.22–$590.852
PA$510.63–$567.532
PR$550.191
RI$560.361
SC$511.911
SD$537.121
TN$501.531
TX$507.06–$568.868
UT$519.251
VA$534.80–$628.072
VI$550.191
VT$535.141
WA$566.38–$644.342
WI$519.121
WV$496.381
WY$542.381

See 43251 in every payment locality

How the 43251 rate is calculated

Each of 43251’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 · 43251

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.38

3.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense12.57

12.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.39

0.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

16.3400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$545.77

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

The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,180

Code
43251
Physician work
3.38
Practice expense
12.57
Malpractice
0.39

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office calculation for 43251 in El Centro, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.38× 1.0173.4375
Practice expense12.57× 1.09613.7767
Malpractice0.39× 0.5410.2110
Total RVUs17.4252
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, El Centro, CA$582.02

Office: (3.38 × 1.017 + 12.57 × 1.096 + 0.39 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $582.02

Facility: (3.38 × 1.017 + 1.41 × 1.096 + 0.39 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $173.48

Open 43251 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 43251

The CMS indicators that decide how 43251 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 43251

EGD lesion removal, snare technique

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures3Endoscopy family rules apply.
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

43251 without 51 · national office

$545.77

EGD lesion removal, snare technique

43251-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$272.89

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 43251 has changed in El Centro, CA

43251 · Office / nonfacility

$582.02

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $86.58 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $495.44 to $582.02 (17.5%).

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

    $495.44changed to$582.02

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.47 changed to 3.38
    • Practice expense RVU 10.57 changed to 12.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.39
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $521.67changed to$495.44

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 10.90 changed to 10.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $513.16changed to$521.67

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $531.83changed to$513.16

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 11.03 changed to 10.90
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $553.54changed to$531.83

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.44 changed to 11.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $551.91changed to$553.54

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 11.28 changed to 11.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $511.94changed to$551.91

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 9.71 changed to 11.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $489.62changed to$511.94

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 9.11 changed to 9.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $471.06changed to$489.62

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.64 changed to 9.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.46
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $469.46changed to$471.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.57 changed to 8.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.47
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$469.46

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. 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$582.02$173.48RVU26D
2026-07-01$582.02$173.48RVU26C
2026-04-01$582.02$173.48RVU26B
2026-01-01$582.02$173.48RVU26A
2025-10-01$495.44$188.92RVU25D
2025-07-01$495.44$188.92RVU25C
2025-04-01$495.44$188.92RVU25B
2025-01-01$495.44$188.92RVU25A
2024-10-01$521.67$193.86RVU24D
2024-07-01$521.67$193.86RVU24C
2024-04-01$521.67$193.86RVU24B
2024-03-09$521.67$193.86RVU24AR
2024-01-01$513.16$190.69RVU24A
2023-10-01$531.83$196.54RVU23D
2023-07-01$531.83$196.54RVU23C
2023-04-01$531.83$196.54RVU23B
2023-01-01$531.83$196.54RVU23A
2022-10-01$553.54$200.46RVU22D
2022-07-01$553.54$200.46RVU22C
2022-04-01$553.54$200.46RVU22B
2022-01-01$553.54$200.46RVU22A
2021-10-01$551.91$201.11RVU21D
2021-07-01$551.91$201.11RVU21C
2021-04-01$551.91$201.11RVU21B
2021-01-01$551.91$201.11RVU21A
2020-10-01$511.94$206.11RVU20D
2020-07-01$511.94$206.11RVU20C
2020-04-01$511.94$206.11RVU20B
2020-01-01$511.94$206.11RVU20A
2019-10-01$489.62$207.06RVU19D
2019-07-01$489.62$207.06RVU19C
2019-04-01$489.62$207.06RVU19B
2019-01-01$489.62$207.06RVU19A
2018-10-01$471.06$208.15RVU18D
2018-07-01$471.06$208.15RVU18C
2018-04-01$471.06$208.15RVU18B
2018-01-01$471.06$208.15RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$469.46$208.46RVU17D
2017-07-01$469.46$208.46RVU17C
2017-04-01$469.46$208.46RVU17B
2017-01-01$469.46$208.46RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Not available in this settingRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Not available in this settingRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Not available in this settingRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Not available in this settingRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 43251 for an earlier date of service

Where the El Centro, CA rate applies

El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • El Centro
  • Bombay Beach
  • Brawley
  • Calexico
  • Calipatria
  • Desert Shores
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
  • Heber

Browse all communities in California

43251 billing questions

When should this code be used instead of 43239?

Use this code when a snare is used to remove the lesion. Code 43239 describes biopsy sampling rather than snare removal.

Is the code reported once for each polyp?

No. Report the snare-removal service once for the EGD session, even when more than one lesion is removed by snare.

How does this differ from 43250?

This code describes snare removal. Code 43250 is used when a lesion is removed with hot biopsy forceps or bipolar cautery.

Can a separate biopsy code be reported during the same EGD?

A biopsy code describes sampling, while this code describes snare removal. Document each service and lesion clearly; do not assume both are separately reportable for the same lesion.

Can modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; the anatomy or descriptor does not support modifier 50.

Does Medicare pay an assistant or co-surgeon for this procedure?

The assistant-at-surgery statutory restriction prevents Medicare payment for an assistant. 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 43251PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,180 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El Centro, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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