CPT code 47531: Cholangiogram, through existing catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports contrast injection through an existing biliary catheter to outline the bile ducts, with fluoroscopic imaging and interpretation included.
Medicare pays $370.54–$411.87 for 47531 in the office in Illinois, from Rest of Illinois to Suburban Chicago, IL. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 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.
Where 47531 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$370.54 to $411.87
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $406.58 | $68.22 |
| East St. Louis, IL | $375.10 | $65.36 |
| Rest of Illinois | $370.54 | $63.15 |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $411.87 | $66.10 |
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.
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%).
47531 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 47532CholangiographyExisting access
- Both codes report percutaneous cholangiography. Choose 47531 for injection through an existing catheter and 47532 for imaging through newly created access.
- 47536Biliary catheter exchangePercutaneous
- 47531 describes a contrast study through an existing catheter; 47536 describes exchange of a biliary drainage catheter.
- 47537Biliary catheter removalPercutaneous removal
- 47531 images the biliary tree through an existing catheter. 47537 reports removal of a biliary drainage catheter.
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
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