CPT code 46050: Perianal abscess drainage, superficial abscess2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports incision and drainage of a superficial abscess beside the anus, rather than drainage of a deeper perirectal or ischiorectal collection.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.4K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $249.66 for 46050 in the office and $96.96 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$249.66Office (non-facility)
$96.96Hospital or facility
−6.6%vs the national office rate ($267.21)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 46050 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 46050 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 46050 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 46050 covers

This service drains a superficial collection in the perianal tissues through an incision, allowing the abscess contents to escape. It is typically performed by a surgeon or other qualified clinician in an office or outpatient setting. The key distinction is the abscess location and depth: a collection confined to superficial perianal tissue differs from a deeper ischiorectal or perirectal abscess, or one drained through a transanal approach under anesthesia.

Report the code when the operative or procedure note identifies a superficial perianal abscess and documents incision and drainage. Related postoperative visits are included in the 10-day global period. If another procedure subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction is performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 North Carolina compares for 46050

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 46050 runs from $232.47 in Arkansas to $364.63 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $249.66. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

46050 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$249.66
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$306.21+$56.55
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$309.24+$59.58
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$288.43+$38.77
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$278.96+$29.30
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$309.93+$60.27
  7. Alaska · Alaska$298.04+$48.38

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

Every other payment area

46050 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$236.38$93.17
ArkansasArkansas$232.47$91.88
ArizonaArizona$259.27$100.68
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$285.84$106.47
Chico, CACalifornia$285.18$105.80
El Centro, CACalifornia$285.22$105.84
Fresno, CACalifornia$285.18$105.80
Hanford, CACalifornia$285.18$105.80

46050 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.

$232.47

$324.91

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

View every state and territory as a table
46050 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$298.041
AL$236.381
AR$232.471
AZ$259.271
CA$285.18–$364.6329
CO$279.941
CT$286.541
DC$309.241
DE$263.971
FL$261.61–$288.433
GA$245.12–$272.442
GU$293.801
HI$293.801
IA$243.781
ID$245.481
IL$252.69–$279.594
IN$247.121
KS$242.231
KY$242.241
LA$241.71–$255.392
MA$277.82–$310.422
MD$269.58–$309.243
ME$246.67–$262.282
MI$249.21–$265.052
MN$267.911
MO$236.81–$256.723
MS$234.711
MT$267.191
NC$249.661
ND$262.451
NE$245.381
NH$275.171
NJ$289.73–$305.302
NM$250.661
NV$266.091
NY$253.89–$318.015
OH$248.241
OK$242.011
OR$263.95–$290.092
PA$248.83–$278.452
PR$269.491
RI$274.331
SC$249.381
SD$261.881
TN$243.591
TX$246.95–$279.068
UT$253.261
VA$261.13–$309.242
VI$269.491
VT$261.061
WA$277.41–$317.422
WI$252.471
WV$242.001
WY$265.121

See 46050 in every payment locality

How the 46050 rate is calculated

Each of 46050’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 · 46050

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.21

1.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.55

6.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.0000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$267.21

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

5,574

Code
46050
Physician work
1.21
Practice expense
6.55
Malpractice
0.24

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 46050 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.21× 1.0001.2100
Practice expense6.55× 0.9336.1112
Malpractice0.24× 0.6390.1534
Total RVUs7.4745
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$249.66

Office: (1.21 × 1 + 6.55 × 0.933 + 0.24 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $249.66

Facility: (1.21 × 1 + 1.65 × 0.933 + 0.24 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $96.96

Open 46050 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 46050

46050 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 46050

Perianal abscess drainage, superficial abscess

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 · 46050

Perianal abscess drainage, superficial abscess

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

46050 without 51 · national office

$267.21

Perianal abscess drainage, superficial abscess

46050-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$133.61

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 46050 has changed in North Carolina

46050 · Office / nonfacility

$249.66

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $37.85 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $211.81 to $249.66 (17.9%).

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

    $211.81changed to$249.66

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.24 changed to 1.21
    • Practice expense RVU 5.56 changed to 6.55
    • 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

    $220.44changed to$211.81

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.56

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $216.84changed to$220.44

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $226.11changed to$216.84

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.66 changed to 5.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $233.09changed to$226.11

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.71 changed to 5.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.25
    • 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

    $230.13changed to$233.09

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.55 changed to 5.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $212.01changed to$230.13

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.78 changed to 5.55
    • 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

    $201.77changed to$212.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.51 changed to 4.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.25
    • 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

    $196.52changed to$201.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.36 changed to 4.51

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $193.55changed to$196.52

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.28 changed to 4.36
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $192.90changed to$193.55

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.27 changed to 4.28
    • 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

    $194.27changed to$192.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.29 changed to 4.27

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $193.30changed to$194.27

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $191.22changed to$193.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.23 changed to 4.29
    • 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

    $198.62changed to$191.22

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.78 changed to 4.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • 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: $198.62

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$249.66$96.96RVU26D
2026-07-01$249.66$96.96RVU26C
2026-04-01$249.66$96.96RVU26B
2026-01-01$249.66$96.96RVU26A
2025-10-01$211.81$93.80RVU25D
2025-07-01$211.81$93.80RVU25C
2025-04-01$211.81$93.80RVU25B
2025-01-01$211.81$93.80RVU25A
2024-10-01$220.44$95.60RVU24D
2024-07-01$220.44$95.60RVU24C
2024-04-01$220.44$95.60RVU24B
2024-03-09$220.44$95.60RVU24AR
2024-01-01$216.84$94.04RVU24A
2023-10-01$226.11$97.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$226.11$97.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$226.11$97.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$226.11$97.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$233.09$97.89RVU22D
2022-07-01$233.09$97.89RVU22C
2022-04-01$233.09$97.89RVU22B
2022-01-01$233.09$97.89RVU22A
2021-10-01$230.13$97.69RVU21D
2021-07-01$230.13$97.69RVU21C
2021-04-01$230.13$97.69RVU21B
2021-01-01$230.13$97.69RVU21A
2020-10-01$212.01$97.23RVU20D
2020-07-01$212.01$97.23RVU20C
2020-04-01$212.01$97.23RVU20B
2020-01-01$212.01$97.23RVU20A
2019-10-01$201.77$95.75RVU19D
2019-07-01$201.77$95.75RVU19C
2019-04-01$201.77$95.75RVU19B
2019-01-01$201.77$95.75RVU19A
2018-10-01$196.52$95.30RVU18D
2018-07-01$196.52$95.30RVU18C
2018-04-01$196.52$95.30RVU18B
2018-01-01$196.52$95.30RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$193.55$95.32RVU17D
2017-07-01$193.55$95.32RVU17C
2017-04-01$193.55$95.32RVU17B
2017-01-01$193.55$95.32RVU17A
2016-10-01$192.90$95.01RVU16D
2016-07-01$192.90$95.01RVU16C
2016-04-01$192.90$95.01RVU16B
2016-01-01$192.90$95.01RVU16A
2015-10-01$194.27$95.69RVU15D
2015-07-01$194.27$95.69RVU15C
2015-04-01$193.30$95.21RVU15B
2015-01-01$193.30$95.21RVU15A
2014-10-01$191.22$94.71RVU14D
2014-07-01$191.22$94.71RVU14C
2014-04-01$191.22$94.71RVU14B
2014-01-01$191.22$94.71RVU14A
2013-10-01$198.62$94.86RVU13D
2013-07-01$198.62$94.86RVU13C
2013-04-01$198.62$94.86RVU13B
2013-01-01$198.62$94.86RVU13AR

Price 46050 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

46050 billing questions

How does this differ from drainage of an ischiorectal abscess?

Use 46050 for a superficial perianal collection. A deeper ischiorectal or perirectal abscess points to a different drainage code, such as 46040 or 46060, depending on the documented site and procedure.

When is 46045 a better fit?

46045 describes transanal drainage of an abscess under anesthesia. Code 46050 is for incision and drainage of a superficial perianal abscess, not the transanal approach.

Are postoperative visits included?

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

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral abscesses?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 46050, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other affected procedures are paid at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 46050, and 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 46050PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,574 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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