CPT code 46285: Anal fistula surgery, staged treatment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina
Report staged surgical treatment of an anal fistula with seton placement when the operative plan treats the tract in separate stages rather than definitively at one operation.
In South Carolina, Medicare pays $593.95 for 46285 in the office and $405.38 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 46285 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 46285 covers
A colorectal or general surgeon uses this code for an operative plan that treats an anal fistula in stages, including placement of a seton to maintain drainage between procedures. Staged management may be selected when immediate division of the tract could threaten sphincter function. The procedure is generally performed in an operating room, with the operative report documenting the fistula tract, seton placement, and staged treatment plan.
Report this code for the staged seton procedure, not for a single-stage operation selected by fistula anatomy or for a repair coded by its method. The record should support that treatment is staged and describe the work performed during the encounter. CMS classifies the service as major surgery with a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that 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% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted, 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 46285
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 46285 runs from $555.47 in Arkansas to $821.31 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $593.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Carolina · this page$593.95
- Los Angeles, CA · California$704.20+$110.25
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$719.23+$125.28
- Miami, FL · Florida$698.78+$104.83
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$677.11+$83.16
- Manhattan, NY · New York$729.89+$135.94
- Alaska · Alaska$731.67+$137.72
Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $563.90 | $385.33 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $555.47 | $380.17 |
| ArizonaArizona | $613.11 | $415.36 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $661.83 | $438.16 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $659.23 | $435.56 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $759.83 | $490.85 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $700.13 | $458.91 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $669.72 | $446.05 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $690.66 | $453.31 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $688.09 | $451.56 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $703.71 | $459.63 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $802.63 | $514.88 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $801.51 | $513.75 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $821.31 | $527.03 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $816.71 | $522.43 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $677.19 | $444.74 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $709.93 | $461.97 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $690.51 | $452.55 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $717.00 | $466.39 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $758.21 | $489.23 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $659.06 | $435.39 |
| ColoradoColorado | $652.79 | $435.65 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $673.87 | $454.08 |
| DelawareDelaware | $623.43 | $421.80 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $663.14 | $456.41 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $629.03 | $433.93 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $644.86 | $437.52 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $591.77 | $409.73 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $674.77 | $442.73 |
| IowaIowa | $575.17 | $388.44 |
| IdahoIdaho | $579.80 | $392.04 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $630.75 | $443.00 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $612.89 | $426.56 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $669.09 | $459.50 |
| IndianaIndiana | $583.18 | $393.99 |
| KansasKansas | $574.08 | $389.59 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $581.34 | $399.92 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $610.57 | $418.53 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $581.08 | $400.47 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $716.31 | $472.64 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $649.39 | $434.50 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $672.37 | $453.40 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $635.05 | $428.52 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $584.72 | $396.97 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $614.95 | $412.70 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $638.87 | $441.94 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $598.54 | $412.21 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $619.89 | $409.89 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $604.47 | $412.84 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $610.78 | $416.49 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $571.91 | $396.00 |
| MississippiMississippi | $563.72 | $388.01 |
| MontanaMontana | $630.88 | $426.80 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $590.76 | $400.36 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $611.30 | $407.22 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $577.92 | $389.55 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $644.09 | $431.65 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $711.75 | $475.01 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $679.98 | $457.13 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $602.60 | $415.46 |
| NevadaNevada | $625.84 | $421.56 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $750.24 | $507.58 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $685.87 | $462.40 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $733.56 | $492.34 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $600.05 | $406.17 |
| OhioOhio | $594.54 | $408.21 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $578.47 | $396.22 |
| Portland, OROregon | $672.09 | $445.36 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $619.44 | $416.17 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $657.78 | $445.33 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $594.56 | $407.21 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $635.08 | $428.76 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $644.63 | $433.82 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $608.99 | $404.91 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $577.27 | $391.77 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $651.97 | $436.06 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $590.66 | $404.95 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $621.29 | $419.04 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $626.15 | $422.89 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $622.36 | $421.14 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $623.72 | $421.06 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $641.84 | $439.19 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $606.24 | $412.57 |
| UtahUtah | $602.28 | $410.44 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $614.06 | $413.45 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $635.08 | $428.76 |
| VermontVermont | $610.39 | $408.35 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $647.67 | $432.78 |
| King County, WAWashington | $729.39 | $478.99 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $590.36 | $394.85 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $589.98 | $412.63 |
| WyomingWyoming | $622.35 | $418.27 |
46285 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.
$555.47
$740.19
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $731.67 | 1 |
| AL | $563.90 | 1 |
| AR | $555.47 | 1 |
| AZ | $613.11 | 1 |
| CA | $659.06–$821.31 | 29 |
| CO | $652.79 | 1 |
| CT | $673.87 | 1 |
| DC | $719.23 | 1 |
| DE | $623.43 | 1 |
| FL | $629.03–$698.78 | 3 |
| GA | $591.77–$644.86 | 2 |
| GU | $674.77 | 1 |
| HI | $674.77 | 1 |
| IA | $575.17 | 1 |
| ID | $579.80 | 1 |
| IL | $612.89–$677.11 | 4 |
| IN | $583.18 | 1 |
| KS | $574.08 | 1 |
| KY | $581.34 | 1 |
| LA | $581.08–$610.57 | 2 |
| MA | $649.39–$716.31 | 2 |
| MD | $635.05–$719.23 | 3 |
| ME | $584.72–$614.95 | 2 |
| MI | $598.54–$638.87 | 2 |
| MN | $619.89 | 1 |
| MO | $571.91–$610.78 | 3 |
| MS | $563.72 | 1 |
| MT | $630.88 | 1 |
| NC | $590.76 | 1 |
| ND | $611.30 | 1 |
| NE | $577.92 | 1 |
| NH | $644.09 | 1 |
| NJ | $679.98–$711.75 | 2 |
| NM | $602.60 | 1 |
| NV | $625.84 | 1 |
| NY | $600.05–$750.24 | 5 |
| OH | $594.54 | 1 |
| OK | $578.47 | 1 |
| OR | $619.44–$672.09 | 2 |
| PA | $594.56–$657.78 | 2 |
| PR | $635.08 | 1 |
| RI | $644.63 | 1 |
| SC | $593.95 | 1 |
| SD | $608.99 | 1 |
| TN | $577.27 | 1 |
| TX | $590.66–$651.97 | 8 |
| UT | $602.28 | 1 |
| VA | $614.06–$719.23 | 2 |
| VI | $635.08 | 1 |
| VT | $610.39 | 1 |
| WA | $647.67–$729.39 | 2 |
| WI | $590.36 | 1 |
| WV | $589.98 | 1 |
| WY | $622.35 | 1 |
How the 46285 rate is calculated
Each of 46285’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 · 46285
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.28
5.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense12.62
12.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.99
0.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
18.8900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$630.94
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
5,593
- Code
- 46285
- Physician work
- 5.28
- Practice expense
- 12.62
- Malpractice
- 0.99
GPCI2026.csv
93
- Locality
- South Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.924
- Malpractice
- 0.850
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 5.28 | × 1.000 | 5.2800 |
| Practice expense | 12.62 | × 0.924 | 11.6609 |
| Malpractice | 0.99 | × 0.850 | 0.8415 |
| Total RVUs | 17.7824 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Carolina$593.95
Office: (5.28 × 1 + 12.62 × 0.924 + 0.99 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $593.95
Facility: (5.28 × 1 + 6.51 × 0.924 + 0.99 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $405.38
Payment rules and modifiers for 46285
46285 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 46285
Anal fistula surgery, staged treatment
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.09/0.81/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 46285
Anal fistula surgery, staged treatment
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
46285 without 51 · national office
$630.94
Anal fistula surgery, staged treatment
46285-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$315.47
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%).
How 46285 has changed in South Carolina
46285 · Office / nonfacility
$593.95
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $76.77 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $517.18 to $593.95 (14.8%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$517.18changed to$593.95
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 5.42 changed to 5.28
- Practice expense RVU 10.69 changed to 12.62
- Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
- Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$529.22changed to$517.18
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 10.60 changed to 10.69
- Malpractice RVU 0.98 changed to 0.99
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$520.58changed to$529.22
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$532.83changed to$520.58
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 10.59 changed to 10.60
- Malpractice RVU 0.91 changed to 0.98
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$541.42changed to$532.83
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 10.60 changed to 10.59
- Malpractice RVU 0.94 changed to 0.91
- Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$541.01changed to$541.42
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 10.46 changed to 10.60
- Malpractice RVU 0.92 changed to 0.94
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$525.63changed to$541.01
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 9.47 changed to 10.46
- Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.92
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
- Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$516.06changed to$525.63
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 9.17 changed to 9.47
- Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 0.89
- Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$512.41changed to$516.06
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 9.07 changed to 9.17
- Malpractice RVU 0.98 changed to 0.97
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$508.97changed to$512.41
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 8.94 changed to 9.07
- Malpractice RVU 0.96 changed to 0.98
- Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$507.88changed to$508.97
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 8.85 changed to 8.94
- Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 0.96
- Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$512.03changed to$507.88
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 8.96 changed to 8.85
- Malpractice RVU 0.92 changed to 0.97
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$509.48changed to$512.03
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$502.89changed to$509.48
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 8.87 changed to 8.96
- Malpractice RVU 0.87 changed to 0.92
- Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$507.30changed to$502.89
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 9.92 changed to 8.87
- Malpractice RVU 0.91 changed to 0.87
- Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
- Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $507.30
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $593.95 | $405.38 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $593.95 | $405.38 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $593.95 | $405.38 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $593.95 | $405.38 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $517.18 | $395.80 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $517.18 | $395.80 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $517.18 | $395.80 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $517.18 | $395.80 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $529.22 | $402.49 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $529.22 | $402.49 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $529.22 | $402.49 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $529.22 | $402.49 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $520.58 | $395.92 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $532.83 | $402.06 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $532.83 | $402.06 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $532.83 | $402.06 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $532.83 | $402.06 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $541.42 | $404.86 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $541.42 | $404.86 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $541.42 | $404.86 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $541.42 | $404.86 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $541.01 | $403.00 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $541.01 | $403.00 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $541.01 | $403.00 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $541.01 | $403.00 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $525.63 | $402.56 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $525.63 | $402.56 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $525.63 | $402.56 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $525.63 | $402.56 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $516.06 | $398.72 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $516.06 | $398.72 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $516.06 | $398.72 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $516.06 | $398.72 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $512.41 | $398.16 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $512.41 | $398.16 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $512.41 | $398.16 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $512.41 | $398.16 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $508.97 | $397.36 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $508.97 | $397.36 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $508.97 | $397.36 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $508.97 | $397.36 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $507.88 | $397.83 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $507.88 | $397.83 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $507.88 | $397.83 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $507.88 | $397.83 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $512.03 | $399.62 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $512.03 | $399.62 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $509.48 | $397.63 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $509.48 | $397.63 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $502.89 | $393.24 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $502.89 | $393.24 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $502.89 | $393.24 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $502.89 | $393.24 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $507.30 | $390.09 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $507.30 | $390.09 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $507.30 | $390.09 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $507.30 | $390.09 | RVU13AR |
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
46285 billing questions
When should I choose 46285 over an anatomy-specific fistula code?
Use 46285 when the operative plan is staged and includes seton placement. Codes 46270, 46275, and 46280 describe treatment selected by fistula anatomy or complexity.
Does 46285 include seton placement?
Yes. Seton placement is part of the staged fistula treatment represented by this code.
What documentation supports 46285?
Document the fistula tract, seton placement, and the plan to treat the fistula in stages. The operative report should identify the work performed during that session.
Can I report modifier 50 for bilateral fistulas?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; do not use modifier 50.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed for 46285?
CMS payment for an assistant at surgery is statutorily restricted. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted for this code.
How does the 90-day global period affect follow-up?
The global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When other procedures occur in the same session, the standard multiple-procedure reduction applies.
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
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