CPT code 47531: Cholangiogram, through existing catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado
Reports contrast injection through an existing biliary catheter to outline the bile ducts, with fluoroscopic imaging and interpretation included.
In Colorado, Medicare pays $420.45 for 47531 in the office and $62.22 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 47531 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 47531 covers
This service uses an existing percutaneous biliary catheter to inject contrast and image the biliary tree under fluoroscopy. It can show duct anatomy, catheter position, or whether contrast passes through the ducts and into the bowel. Interventional radiologists and other physicians performing image-guided biliary procedures commonly provide it in a hospital or outpatient interventional setting. The code includes fluoroscopic guidance, image documentation, and the imaging report.
Report 47531 when the injection is performed through an already established catheter; use 47532 when the cholangiogram is performed through newly created access. The record should identify the existing catheter, document the contrast injection and fluoroscopic findings, and support the medical reason for imaging. This is a minor procedure with a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. 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 Colorado compares for 47531
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 47531 runs from $346.66 in Arkansas to $556.28 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $420.45. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Colorado · this page$420.45
- Los Angeles, CA · California$462.94+$42.49
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$463.84+$43.39
- Miami, FL · Florida$420.03−$0.42
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$406.58−$13.87
- Manhattan, NY · New York$460.85+$40.40
- Alaska · Alaska$440.42+$19.97
Other areas in Colorado first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $352.52 | $57.93 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $346.66 | $57.45 |
| ArizonaArizona | $386.91 | $60.66 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $431.18 | $62.18 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $430.78 | $61.78 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $510.58 | $66.84 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $461.85 | $63.89 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $432.28 | $63.28 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $455.10 | $63.54 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $453.49 | $63.27 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $466.47 | $63.80 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $544.04 | $69.32 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $543.88 | $69.16 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $556.28 | $70.78 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $555.63 | $70.13 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $445.87 | $62.39 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $472.74 | $63.67 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $455.82 | $63.25 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $477.69 | $64.25 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $510.35 | $66.61 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $430.76 | $61.75 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $427.36 | $64.75 |
| DelawareDelaware | $394.00 | $61.36 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $406.82 | $65.76 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $385.36 | $63.50 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $405.16 | $63.09 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $361.42 | $61.10 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $444.64 | $61.84 |
| IowaIowa | $365.79 | $57.72 |
| IdahoIdaho | $367.90 | $58.15 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $375.10 | $65.36 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $370.54 | $63.15 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $411.87 | $66.10 |
| IndianaIndiana | $370.42 | $58.32 |
| KansasKansas | $362.42 | $58.06 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $359.07 | $59.76 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $378.38 | $61.56 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $357.87 | $59.91 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $467.86 | $65.87 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $416.83 | $62.30 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $425.91 | $64.65 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $402.73 | $62.01 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $368.59 | $58.85 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $393.58 | $59.93 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $389.38 | $64.49 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $368.51 | $61.12 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $405.37 | $58.93 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $376.93 | $60.79 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $381.62 | $61.10 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $349.86 | $59.64 |
| MississippiMississippi | $348.41 | $58.53 |
| MontanaMontana | $398.46 | $61.78 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $373.24 | $59.12 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $395.70 | $59.01 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $368.51 | $57.75 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $412.29 | $61.81 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $457.68 | $67.13 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $432.95 | $65.29 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $370.25 | $61.51 |
| NevadaNevada | $398.04 | $61.03 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $471.61 | $71.29 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $434.74 | $66.08 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $467.21 | $69.25 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $379.52 | $59.67 |
| OhioOhio | $367.94 | $60.55 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $359.83 | $59.18 |
| Portland, OROregon | $436.96 | $62.90 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $395.68 | $60.34 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $414.55 | $64.06 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $369.40 | $60.33 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $402.27 | $61.88 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $410.37 | $62.58 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $371.07 | $59.97 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $395.37 | $58.69 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $364.33 | $58.29 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $418.40 | $62.20 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $366.52 | $60.14 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $394.62 | $60.97 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $396.78 | $61.45 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $393.33 | $61.36 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $395.55 | $61.22 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $398.11 | $63.79 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $380.10 | $60.59 |
| UtahUtah | $376.91 | $60.43 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $391.12 | $60.17 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $402.27 | $61.88 |
| VermontVermont | $392.65 | $59.33 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $416.53 | $62.00 |
| King County, WAWashington | $479.50 | $66.39 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $380.48 | $57.94 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $354.46 | $61.88 |
| WyomingWyoming | $397.26 | $60.58 |
47531 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.
$346.66
$493.52
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 | $440.42 | 1 |
| AL | $352.52 | 1 |
| AR | $346.66 | 1 |
| AZ | $386.91 | 1 |
| CA | $430.76–$556.28 | 29 |
| CO | $420.45 | 1 |
| CT | $427.36 | 1 |
| DC | $463.84 | 1 |
| DE | $394.00 | 1 |
| FL | $385.36–$420.03 | 3 |
| GA | $361.42–$405.16 | 2 |
| GU | $444.64 | 1 |
| HI | $444.64 | 1 |
| IA | $365.79 | 1 |
| ID | $367.90 | 1 |
| IL | $370.54–$411.87 | 4 |
| IN | $370.42 | 1 |
| KS | $362.42 | 1 |
| KY | $359.07 | 1 |
| LA | $357.87–$378.38 | 2 |
| MA | $416.83–$467.86 | 2 |
| MD | $402.73–$463.84 | 3 |
| ME | $368.59–$393.58 | 2 |
| MI | $368.51–$389.38 | 2 |
| MN | $405.37 | 1 |
| MO | $349.86–$381.62 | 3 |
| MS | $348.41 | 1 |
| MT | $398.46 | 1 |
| NC | $373.24 | 1 |
| ND | $395.70 | 1 |
| NE | $368.51 | 1 |
| NH | $412.29 | 1 |
| NJ | $432.95–$457.68 | 2 |
| NM | $370.25 | 1 |
| NV | $398.04 | 1 |
| NY | $379.52–$471.61 | 5 |
| OH | $367.94 | 1 |
| OK | $359.83 | 1 |
| OR | $395.68–$436.96 | 2 |
| PA | $369.40–$414.55 | 2 |
| PR | $402.27 | 1 |
| RI | $410.37 | 1 |
| SC | $371.07 | 1 |
| SD | $395.37 | 1 |
| TN | $364.33 | 1 |
| TX | $366.52–$418.40 | 8 |
| UT | $376.91 | 1 |
| VA | $391.12–$463.84 | 2 |
| VI | $402.27 | 1 |
| VT | $392.65 | 1 |
| WA | $416.53–$479.50 | 2 |
| WI | $380.48 | 1 |
| WV | $354.46 | 1 |
| WY | $397.26 | 1 |
How the 47531 rate is calculated
Each of 47531’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 · 47531
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.27
1.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense10.52
10.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.14
0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
11.9300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$398.47
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
5,683
- Code
- 47531
- Physician work
- 1.27
- Practice expense
- 10.52
- Malpractice
- 0.14
GPCI2026.csv
37
- Locality
- Colorado
- Physician work
- 1.012
- Practice expense
- 1.064
- Malpractice
- 0.781
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.27 | × 1.012 | 1.2852 |
| Practice expense | 10.52 | × 1.064 | 11.1933 |
| Malpractice | 0.14 | × 0.781 | 0.1093 |
| Total RVUs | 12.5879 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Colorado$420.45
Office: (1.27 × 1.012 + 10.52 × 1.064 + 0.14 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $420.45
Facility: (1.27 × 1.012 + 0.44 × 1.064 + 0.14 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $62.22
Payment rules and modifiers for 47531
The CMS indicators that decide how 47531 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 47531
Cholangiogram, through existing catheter
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
47531 without 51 · national office
$398.47
Cholangiogram, through existing catheter
47531-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$199.24
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 47531 has changed in Colorado
47531 · Office / nonfacility
$420.45
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $10.13 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $410.32 to $420.45 (2.5%).
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
$410.32changed to$420.45
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.30 changed to 1.27
- Practice expense RVU 10.70 changed to 10.52
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
- Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
- Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
- Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$434.52changed to$410.32
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 11.05 changed to 10.70
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$427.43changed to$434.52
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$454.57changed to$427.43
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 11.44 changed to 11.05
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
- Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
- Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
- Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$474.77changed to$454.57
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 11.78 changed to 11.44
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
- Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
- Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
- Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$460.25changed to$474.77
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 11.26 changed to 11.78
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$407.66changed to$460.25
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 9.58 changed to 11.26
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
- Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
- Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$362.10changed to$407.66
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 8.47 changed to 9.58
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
- Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
- Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$329.09changed to$362.10
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 7.58 changed to 8.47
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$322.99changed to$329.09
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 7.46 changed to 7.58
- Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
- Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$383.11changed to$322.99
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Work RVU 1.80 changed to 1.30
- Practice expense RVU 8.62 changed to 7.46
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.12
- Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
- Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
No ratechanged to$383.11
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $420.45 | $62.22 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $420.45 | $62.22 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $420.45 | $62.22 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $420.45 | $62.22 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $410.32 | $68.00 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $410.32 | $68.00 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $410.32 | $68.00 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $410.32 | $68.00 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $434.52 | $69.28 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $434.52 | $69.28 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $434.52 | $69.28 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $434.52 | $69.28 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $427.43 | $68.15 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $454.57 | $69.93 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $454.57 | $69.93 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $454.57 | $69.93 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $454.57 | $69.93 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $474.77 | $70.42 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $474.77 | $70.42 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $474.77 | $70.42 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $474.77 | $70.42 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $460.25 | $71.54 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $460.25 | $71.54 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $460.25 | $71.54 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $460.25 | $71.54 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $407.66 | $74.00 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $407.66 | $74.00 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $407.66 | $74.00 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $407.66 | $74.00 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $362.10 | $74.84 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $362.10 | $74.84 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $362.10 | $74.84 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $362.10 | $74.84 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $329.09 | $75.12 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $329.09 | $75.12 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $329.09 | $75.12 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $329.09 | $75.12 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $322.99 | $74.56 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $322.99 | $74.56 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $322.99 | $74.56 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $322.99 | $74.56 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $383.11 | $100.40 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $383.11 | $100.40 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $383.11 | $100.40 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $383.11 | $100.40 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the Colorado rate applies
Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Acres Green
- Aetna Estates
- Aguilar
- Air Force Academy
- Akron
- Alamosa
- Alamosa East
- Allenspark
47531 billing questions
When should 47531 be chosen over 47532?
Use 47531 for contrast injection through a catheter already in place. Use 47532 when the cholangiogram is performed through newly created access.
Is fluoroscopic guidance separately reported?
No. Fluoroscopic guidance, image documentation, and the imaging report are included in 47531.
Can modifier 50 be appended?
No. The bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.
How does the multiple procedure rule affect payment?
For procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction.
What documentation supports reporting 47531?
Document that an existing biliary catheter was used, the contrast injection and fluoroscopic findings, and the clinical purpose of the study.
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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