CPT code 47533: Biliary drainage, external catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs
Percutaneous placement of an external biliary drainage catheter to divert bile when normal drainage through the biliary tract is impaired.
Medicare pays $1,110.91 for 47533 nationally in the office and $226.79 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $972.45–$1,526.47.
Medicare rate · 47533
Biliary drainage, external catheter
- Work RVUs
- 5.25
- Total RVUs
- 33.26
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$1,110.91
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 47533 →Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →
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 10 sections
What 47533 covers
An interventional radiologist typically places this catheter through the skin and liver into the biliary system, using imaging to guide access and catheter positioning. The external catheter directs bile out of the body into a collection bag, commonly to relieve obstruction from a stricture, stone, or tumor when external drainage is needed. Diagnostic cholangiography and imaging guidance are included when performed, along with the associated radiological supervision and interpretation.
Report 47533 for initial placement of an external drain; use 47534 when the catheter provides internal-external drainage. The record should support the access, catheter placement, drainage approach, and clinical need. The 0-day global includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and 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 47533 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$972.45 to $1526.47
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $988.09 | $214.48 |
| Alaska | $1,249.62 | $308.03 |
| Arizona | $1,079.76 | $223.05 |
| Arkansas | $972.45 | $212.99 |
| Atlanta, GA | $1,129.93 | $231.66 |
| Austin, TX | $1,162.25 | $226.85 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $1,194.79 | $225.79 |
| Baltimore area, MD | $1,185.14 | $236.48 |
| Beaumont, TX | $1,027.08 | $222.52 |
| Brazoria, TX | $1,099.88 | $223.71 |
| Chicago, IL | $1,141.38 | $252.84 |
| Chico, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Colorado | $1,167.51 | $226.80 |
| Connecticut | $1,188.99 | $236.79 |
| Dallas, TX | $1,106.12 | $225.54 |
| Delaware | $1,098.87 | $225.36 |
| Detroit, MI | $1,091.90 | $238.72 |
| East St. Louis, IL | $1,056.90 | $243.51 |
| El Centro, CA | $1,193.14 | $224.14 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $1,138.21 | $242.60 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $1,097.20 | $225.46 |
| Fresno, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Galveston, TX | $1,102.63 | $224.69 |
| Hanford, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HI | $1,228.46 | $223.22 |
| Houston, TX | $1,113.06 | $235.13 |
| Idaho | $1,027.56 | $214.17 |
| Indiana | $1,034.22 | $214.64 |
| Iowa | $1,021.53 | $212.56 |
| Kansas | $1,013.48 | $214.24 |
| Kentucky | $1,007.56 | $221.58 |
| King County, WA | $1,324.25 | $239.43 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $1,279.43 | $233.51 |
| Madera, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Manhattan, NY | $1,281.77 | $254.42 |
| Marin County, CA | $1,493.05 | $246.43 |
| Merced, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MA | $1,293.81 | $238.17 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $1,054.57 | $224.38 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PA | $1,155.32 | $234.95 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $1,066.96 | $225.28 |
| Miami, FL | $1,177.60 | $257.23 |
| Minnesota | $1,124.09 | $214.33 |
| Mississippi | $978.55 | $217.32 |
| Modesto, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Montana | $1,110.88 | $226.75 |
| Napa, CA | $1,404.05 | $238.78 |
| Nebraska | $1,028.50 | $212.46 |
| Nevada | $1,108.65 | $223.65 |
| New Hampshire | $1,146.11 | $225.74 |
| New Mexico | $1,038.67 | $227.93 |
| New Orleans, LA | $1,059.43 | $227.47 |
| North Carolina | $1,042.63 | $217.75 |
| North Dakota | $1,099.61 | $215.48 |
| Northern New Jersey | $1,269.90 | $244.32 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY | $1,311.68 | $260.45 |
| Ohio | $1,031.33 | $224.13 |
| Oklahoma | $1,008.60 | $219.08 |
| Oxnard, CA | $1,275.45 | $230.42 |
| Portland, OR | $1,210.58 | $228.32 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY | $1,209.87 | $241.76 |
| Puerto Rico | $1,120.71 | $226.86 |
| Queens, NY | $1,297.36 | $252.33 |
| Redding, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Rest of California | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Rest of Florida | $1,080.16 | $234.94 |
| Rest of Georgia | $1,015.59 | $226.95 |
| Rest of Illinois | $1,041.90 | $234.69 |
| Rest of Louisiana | $1,004.71 | $222.27 |
| Rest of Maine | $1,030.40 | $217.00 |
| Rest of Maryland | $1,122.10 | $227.37 |
| Rest of Massachusetts | $1,158.43 | $227.45 |
| Rest of Michigan | $1,033.63 | $226.43 |
| Rest of Missouri | $983.94 | $221.83 |
| Rest of New Jersey | $1,204.09 | $238.63 |
| Rest of New York | $1,059.43 | $219.52 |
| Rest of Oregon | $1,101.59 | $221.01 |
| Rest of Pennsylvania | $1,034.71 | $223.09 |
| Rest of Texas | $1,062.32 | $223.29 |
| Rest of Washington | $1,157.22 | $226.24 |
| Rhode Island | $1,142.43 | $229.14 |
| Riverside, CA | $1,199.26 | $230.26 |
| Sacramento, CA | $1,257.79 | $229.55 |
| Salinas, CA | $1,253.24 | $228.55 |
| San Benito County, CA | $1,526.47 | $251.57 |
| San Diego, CA | $1,287.09 | $229.68 |
| San Francisco, CA | $1,492.40 | $245.79 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $1,232.46 | $225.44 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $1,523.82 | $248.92 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $1,302.81 | $228.61 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $1,259.13 | $228.25 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $1,316.31 | $230.61 |
| South Carolina | $1,038.40 | $221.47 |
| South Dakota | $1,098.27 | $214.15 |
| Southern Maine, ME | $1,095.64 | $219.48 |
| Stockton, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $1,151.59 | $243.59 |
| Tennessee | $1,018.70 | $215.03 |
| Utah | $1,053.98 | $222.91 |
| Vallejo, CA | $1,403.12 | $237.84 |
| Vermont | $1,092.34 | $217.06 |
| Virgin Islands, VI | $1,120.71 | $226.86 |
| Virginia | $1,089.74 | $220.64 |
| Visalia, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Washington, DC area | $1,285.68 | $244.18 |
| West Virginia | $999.06 | $230.75 |
| Wisconsin | $1,059.25 | $212.26 |
| Wyoming | $1,105.96 | $221.84 |
| Yuba City, CA | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
47533 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.
$972.45
$1,359.76
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 | $1,249.62 | 1 |
| AL | $988.09 | 1 |
| AR | $972.45 | 1 |
| AZ | $1,079.76 | 1 |
| CA | $1,193.05–$1,526.47 | 29 |
| CO | $1,167.51 | 1 |
| CT | $1,188.99 | 1 |
| DC | $1,285.68 | 1 |
| DE | $1,098.87 | 1 |
| FL | $1,080.16–$1,177.60 | 3 |
| GA | $1,015.59–$1,129.93 | 2 |
| GU | $1,228.46 | 1 |
| HI | $1,228.46 | 1 |
| IA | $1,021.53 | 1 |
| ID | $1,027.56 | 1 |
| IL | $1,041.90–$1,151.59 | 4 |
| IN | $1,034.22 | 1 |
| KS | $1,013.48 | 1 |
| KY | $1,007.56 | 1 |
| LA | $1,004.71–$1,059.43 | 2 |
| MA | $1,158.43–$1,293.81 | 2 |
| MD | $1,122.10–$1,285.68 | 3 |
| ME | $1,030.40–$1,095.64 | 2 |
| MI | $1,033.63–$1,091.90 | 2 |
| MN | $1,124.09 | 1 |
| MO | $983.94–$1,066.96 | 3 |
| MS | $978.55 | 1 |
| MT | $1,110.88 | 1 |
| NC | $1,042.63 | 1 |
| ND | $1,099.61 | 1 |
| NE | $1,028.50 | 1 |
| NH | $1,146.11 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,204.09–$1,269.90 | 2 |
| NM | $1,038.67 | 1 |
| NV | $1,108.65 | 1 |
| NY | $1,059.43–$1,311.68 | 5 |
| OH | $1,031.33 | 1 |
| OK | $1,008.60 | 1 |
| OR | $1,101.59–$1,210.58 | 2 |
| PA | $1,034.71–$1,155.32 | 2 |
| PR | $1,120.71 | 1 |
| RI | $1,142.43 | 1 |
| SC | $1,038.40 | 1 |
| SD | $1,098.27 | 1 |
| TN | $1,018.70 | 1 |
| TX | $1,027.08–$1,162.25 | 8 |
| UT | $1,053.98 | 1 |
| VA | $1,089.74–$1,285.68 | 2 |
| VI | $1,120.71 | 1 |
| VT | $1,092.34 | 1 |
| WA | $1,157.22–$1,324.25 | 2 |
| WI | $1,059.25 | 1 |
| WV | $999.06 | 1 |
| WY | $1,105.96 | 1 |
How the 47533 rate is calculated
Each of 47533’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 · 47533
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.25
5.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense27.44
27.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.57
0.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
33.2600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,110.91
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 47533
The CMS indicators that decide how 47533 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 47533
Biliary drainage, external 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
47533 without 51 · national office
$1,110.91
Biliary drainage, external catheter
47533-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$555.46
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%).
47533 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 47534Biliary drainageInternal-external catheter
- Choose 47533 when the catheter drains bile externally. Choose 47534 when it provides internal-external drainage.
- 47535Biliary catheter conversionExternal to internal-external
- 47533 reports initial external catheter placement; 47535 reports conversion of an existing external catheter to internal-external drainage.
- 47536Biliary catheter exchangePercutaneous
- 47536 is for exchanging an existing drainage catheter, not placing the initial external drain.
- 47538Biliary stentInitial duct
- 47538 reports percutaneous biliary stent placement for internal drainage, rather than placement of an external drainage catheter.
47533 billing questions
How does 47533 differ from 47534?
47533 describes an external drainage catheter that directs bile outside the body. Use 47534 for a catheter that drains both externally and internally.
Can diagnostic cholangiography be billed separately with 47533?
Diagnostic cholangiography performed as part of the catheter placement is included in 47533. The code also includes imaging guidance and associated radiological supervision and interpretation.
Is modifier 50 appropriate for bilateral biliary drainage?
No. The descriptor and anatomy make bilateral adjustment inappropriate for 47533.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 47533. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
How is 47533 affected when other procedures are performed in the same session?
Under the standard multiple-procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%.
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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