CPT code 45331: Sigmoidoscopy, with biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Reports flexible sigmoidoscopy with one or more tissue biopsies when a clinician samples the rectum or distal colon for diagnosis.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality35.9K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $300.91 for 45331 in the office and $64.20 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$300.91Office (non-facility)
$64.20Hospital or facility
−6.8%vs the national office rate ($322.99)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 45331 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 45331 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 45331 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 45331 covers

A clinician advances a flexible endoscope through the anus to examine the rectum and distal colon, then collects mucosal tissue for analysis. Gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons commonly perform this service in an endoscopy unit, hospital outpatient department, or office. Typical reasons include evaluating suspected colitis, unexplained rectal bleeding, or an abnormality seen on prior testing. The biopsy may involve one or multiple tissue samples during the same examination.

Report this code when the procedure includes tissue biopsy, rather than inspection alone; the number of samples does not determine separate units. The record should identify the sampled site and clinical reason, and support that tissue was obtained. The service has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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 South Carolina compares for 45331

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 45331 runs from $281.06 in Arkansas to $449.20 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $300.91. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

45331 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$300.91
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$374.40+$73.49
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$375.58+$74.67
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$341.67+$40.76
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$330.71+$29.80
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$373.66+$72.75
  7. Alaska · Alaska$357.70+$56.79

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

Every other payment area

45331 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$285.80$61.64
ArkansasArkansas$281.06$61.00
ArizonaArizona$313.60$65.35
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$348.86$68.08
Chico, CACalifornia$348.45$67.67
El Centro, CACalifornia$348.47$67.69
Fresno, CACalifornia$348.45$67.67
Hanford, CACalifornia$348.45$67.67

45331 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.

$281.06

$398.83

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

View every state and territory as a table
45331 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$357.701
AL$285.801
AR$281.061
AZ$313.601
CA$348.45–$449.2029
CO$340.411
CT$346.371
DC$375.581
DE$319.321
FL$312.96–$341.673
GA$293.51–$328.542
GU$359.551
HI$359.551
IA$296.261
ID$298.021
IL$301.15–$334.454
IN$300.051
KS$293.671
KY$291.371
LA$290.45–$307.032
MA$337.54–$378.552
MD$326.35–$375.583
ME$298.72–$318.732
MI$299.12–$316.352
MN$327.851
MO$284.05–$309.503
MS$282.671
MT$322.981
NC$302.461
ND$320.211
NE$298.421
NH$333.931
NJ$350.80–$370.642
NM$300.581
NV$322.491
NY$307.54–$382.525
OH$298.561
OK$291.851
OR$320.47–$353.602
PA$299.67–$336.092
PR$326.011
RI$332.471
SC$300.911
SD$319.881
TN$295.231
TX$297.34–$338.848
UT$305.641
VA$316.83–$375.582
VI$326.011
VT$317.861
WA$337.26–$387.832
WI$307.941
WV$288.161
WY$321.771

See 45331 in every payment locality

How the 45331 rate is calculated

Each of 45331’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 · 45331

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.11

1.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.42

8.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.6700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$322.99

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

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,499

Code
45331
Physician work
1.11
Practice expense
8.42
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 45331 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.11× 1.0001.1100
Practice expense8.42× 0.9247.7801
Malpractice0.14× 0.8500.1190
Total RVUs9.0091
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$300.91

Office: (1.11 × 1 + 8.42 × 0.924 + 0.14 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $300.91

Facility: (1.11 × 1 + 0.75 × 0.924 + 0.14 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $64.20

Open 45331 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 45331

The CMS indicators that decide how 45331 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 45331

Sigmoidoscopy, with biopsy

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

45331 without 51 · national office

$322.99

Sigmoidoscopy, with biopsy

45331-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$161.50

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 45331 has changed in South Carolina

45331 · Office / nonfacility

$300.91

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $49.83 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $251.08 to $300.91 (19.8%).

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

    $251.08changed to$300.91

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.14 changed to 1.11
    • Practice expense RVU 7.11 changed to 8.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $263.58changed to$251.08

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.29 changed to 7.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $259.28changed to$263.58

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $268.37changed to$259.28

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.35 changed to 7.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $279.21changed to$268.37

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.58 changed to 7.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $279.49changed to$279.21

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.50 changed to 7.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $258.80changed to$279.49

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.56 changed to 7.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $251.47changed to$258.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 6.31 changed to 6.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $243.31changed to$251.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 6.07 changed to 6.31

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $240.05changed to$243.31

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.98 changed to 6.07
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $239.92changed to$240.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $154.49changed to$239.92

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 1.15 changed to 1.14
    • Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 5.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $153.72changed to$154.49

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $152.65changed to$153.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.30 changed to 3.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $160.14changed to$152.65

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $160.14

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$300.91$64.20RVU26D
2026-07-01$300.91$64.20RVU26C
2026-04-01$300.91$64.20RVU26B
2026-01-01$300.91$64.20RVU26A
2025-10-01$251.08$66.80RVU25D
2025-07-01$251.08$66.80RVU25C
2025-04-01$251.08$66.80RVU25B
2025-01-01$251.08$66.80RVU25A
2024-10-01$263.58$68.16RVU24D
2024-07-01$263.58$68.16RVU24C
2024-04-01$263.58$68.16RVU24B
2024-03-09$263.58$68.16RVU24AR
2024-01-01$259.28$67.05RVU24A
2023-10-01$268.37$68.06RVU23D
2023-07-01$268.37$68.06RVU23C
2023-04-01$268.37$68.06RVU23B
2023-01-01$268.37$68.06RVU23A
2022-10-01$279.21$68.27RVU22D
2022-07-01$279.21$68.27RVU22C
2022-04-01$279.21$68.27RVU22B
2022-01-01$279.21$68.27RVU22A
2021-10-01$279.49$68.70RVU21D
2021-07-01$279.49$68.70RVU21C
2021-04-01$279.49$68.70RVU21B
2021-01-01$279.49$68.70RVU21A
2020-10-01$258.80$69.93RVU20D
2020-07-01$258.80$69.93RVU20C
2020-04-01$258.80$69.93RVU20B
2020-01-01$258.80$69.93RVU20A
2019-10-01$251.47$70.04RVU19D
2019-07-01$251.47$70.04RVU19C
2019-04-01$251.47$70.04RVU19B
2019-01-01$251.47$70.04RVU19A
2018-10-01$243.31$70.62RVU18D
2018-07-01$243.31$70.62RVU18C
2018-04-01$243.31$70.62RVU18B
2018-01-01$243.31$70.62RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$240.05$71.17RVU17D
2017-07-01$240.05$71.17RVU17C
2017-04-01$240.05$71.17RVU17B
2017-01-01$240.05$71.17RVU17A
2016-10-01$239.92$71.11RVU16D
2016-07-01$239.92$71.11RVU16C
2016-04-01$239.92$71.11RVU16B
2016-01-01$239.92$71.11RVU16A
2015-10-01$154.49$73.22RVU15D
2015-07-01$154.49$73.22RVU15C
2015-04-01$153.72$72.85RVU15B
2015-01-01$153.72$72.85RVU15A
2014-10-01$152.65$72.37RVU14D
2014-07-01$152.65$72.37RVU14C
2014-04-01$152.65$72.37RVU14B
2014-01-01$152.65$72.37RVU14A
2013-10-01$160.14$72.00RVU13D
2013-07-01$160.14$72.00RVU13C
2013-04-01$160.14$72.00RVU13B
2013-01-01$160.14$72.00RVU13AR

Price 45331 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

45331 billing questions

How does this differ from diagnostic sigmoidoscopy?

Use 45331 when the flexible examination includes tissue sampling. Use 45330 when the examination is diagnostic without biopsy or another reportable intervention.

Can multiple biopsy samples be reported as multiple units?

No. The code covers one or multiple biopsies during the sigmoidoscopy; the number of specimens alone does not create additional units.

Can the biopsy and a polypectomy be reported together?

A biopsy that is simply part of removing the same lesion should not be represented separately as a diagnostic biopsy. Distinct sampling or treatment requires documentation of what was done and where.

Should modifier 50 be used for biopsies on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, and modifier 50 should not be used.

Is same-day care included in the payment?

Yes. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be billed?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 45331PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,499 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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