CPT code 47533: Biliary drainage, external catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Percutaneous placement of an external biliary drainage catheter to divert bile when normal drainage through the biliary tract is impaired.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $988.09 for 47533 in the office and $214.48 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 47533 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 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.
How Alabama compares for 47533
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 47533 runs from $972.45 in Arkansas to $1,526.47 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $988.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$988.09
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,279.43+$291.34
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,285.68+$297.59
- Miami, FL · Florida$1,177.60+$189.51
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,141.38+$153.29
- Manhattan, NY · New York$1,281.77+$293.68
- Alaska · Alaska$1,249.62+$261.53
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $972.45 | $212.99 |
| ArizonaArizona | $1,079.76 | $223.05 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $1,194.79 | $225.79 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $1,193.14 | $224.14 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $1,404.05 | $238.78 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $1,275.45 | $230.42 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $1,199.26 | $230.26 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $1,257.79 | $229.55 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $1,253.24 | $228.55 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $1,287.09 | $229.68 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $1,493.05 | $246.43 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $1,492.40 | $245.79 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $1,526.47 | $251.57 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $1,523.82 | $248.92 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $1,232.46 | $225.44 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $1,302.81 | $228.61 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $1,259.13 | $228.25 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $1,316.31 | $230.61 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $1,403.12 | $237.84 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $1,193.05 | $224.05 |
| ColoradoColorado | $1,167.51 | $226.80 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $1,188.99 | $236.79 |
| DelawareDelaware | $1,098.87 | $225.36 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $1,138.21 | $242.60 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $1,080.16 | $234.94 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $1,129.93 | $231.66 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $1,015.59 | $226.95 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $1,228.46 | $223.22 |
| IowaIowa | $1,021.53 | $212.56 |
| IdahoIdaho | $1,027.56 | $214.17 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $1,056.90 | $243.51 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $1,041.90 | $234.69 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $1,151.59 | $243.59 |
| IndianaIndiana | $1,034.22 | $214.64 |
| KansasKansas | $1,013.48 | $214.24 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $1,007.56 | $221.58 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $1,059.43 | $227.47 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $1,004.71 | $222.27 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $1,293.81 | $238.17 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $1,158.43 | $227.45 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $1,185.14 | $236.48 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $1,122.10 | $227.37 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $1,030.40 | $217.00 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $1,095.64 | $219.48 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $1,091.90 | $238.72 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $1,033.63 | $226.43 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $1,124.09 | $214.33 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $1,054.57 | $224.38 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $1,066.96 | $225.28 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $983.94 | $221.83 |
| MississippiMississippi | $978.55 | $217.32 |
| MontanaMontana | $1,110.88 | $226.75 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $1,042.63 | $217.75 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $1,099.61 | $215.48 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $1,028.50 | $212.46 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $1,146.11 | $225.74 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $1,269.90 | $244.32 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $1,204.09 | $238.63 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $1,038.67 | $227.93 |
| NevadaNevada | $1,108.65 | $223.65 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $1,311.68 | $260.45 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $1,209.87 | $241.76 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $1,297.36 | $252.33 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $1,059.43 | $219.52 |
| OhioOhio | $1,031.33 | $224.13 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $1,008.60 | $219.08 |
| Portland, OROregon | $1,210.58 | $228.32 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $1,101.59 | $221.01 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $1,155.32 | $234.95 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $1,034.71 | $223.09 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $1,120.71 | $226.86 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $1,142.43 | $229.14 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $1,038.40 | $221.47 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $1,098.27 | $214.15 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $1,018.70 | $215.03 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $1,162.25 | $226.85 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $1,027.08 | $222.52 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $1,099.88 | $223.71 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $1,106.12 | $225.54 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $1,097.20 | $225.46 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $1,102.63 | $224.69 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $1,113.06 | $235.13 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $1,062.32 | $223.29 |
| UtahUtah | $1,053.98 | $222.91 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $1,089.74 | $220.64 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $1,120.71 | $226.86 |
| VermontVermont | $1,092.34 | $217.06 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $1,157.22 | $226.24 |
| King County, WAWashington | $1,324.25 | $239.43 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $1,059.25 | $212.26 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $999.06 | $230.75 |
| WyomingWyoming | $1,105.96 | $221.84 |
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.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
5,685
- Code
- 47533
- Physician work
- 5.25
- Practice expense
- 27.44
- Malpractice
- 0.57
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 5.25 | × 1.000 | 5.2500 |
| Practice expense | 27.44 | × 0.875 | 24.0100 |
| Malpractice | 0.57 | × 0.566 | 0.3226 |
| Total RVUs | 29.5826 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$988.09
Office: (5.25 × 1 + 27.44 × 0.875 + 0.57 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $988.09
Facility: (5.25 × 1 + 0.97 × 0.875 + 0.57 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $214.48
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%).
How 47533 has changed in Alabama
47533 · Office / nonfacility
$988.09
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $30.84 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $957.25 to $988.09 (3.2%).
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
$957.25changed to$988.09
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 5.38 changed to 5.25
- Practice expense RVU 27.50 changed to 27.44
- Malpractice RVU 0.55 changed to 0.57
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$1008.82changed to$957.25
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 28.32 changed to 27.50
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$992.36changed to$1008.82
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$1069.21changed to$992.36
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 29.34 changed to 28.32
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$1132.02changed to$1069.21
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 30.26 changed to 29.34
- Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.55
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$1179.80changed to$1132.02
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 31.52 changed to 30.26
- Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.50
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$1166.99changed to$1179.80
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 29.94 changed to 31.52
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$1144.76changed to$1166.99
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 29.38 changed to 29.94
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$1135.99changed to$1144.76
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 29.14 changed to 29.38
- Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$1135.99
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
No ratechanged toNo rate
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
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 | $988.09 | $214.48 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $988.09 | $214.48 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $988.09 | $214.48 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $988.09 | $214.48 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $957.25 | $234.29 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $957.25 | $234.29 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $957.25 | $234.29 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $957.25 | $234.29 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $1,008.82 | $239.08 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $1,008.82 | $239.08 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $1,008.82 | $239.08 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $1,008.82 | $239.08 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $992.36 | $235.18 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $1,069.21 | $248.92 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $1,069.21 | $248.92 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $1,069.21 | $248.92 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $1,069.21 | $248.92 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $1,132.02 | $256.82 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $1,132.02 | $256.82 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $1,132.02 | $256.82 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $1,132.02 | $256.82 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $1,179.80 | $258.61 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $1,179.80 | $258.61 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $1,179.80 | $258.61 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $1,179.80 | $258.61 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $1,166.99 | $266.09 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $1,166.99 | $266.09 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $1,166.99 | $266.09 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $1,166.99 | $266.09 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $1,144.76 | $262.70 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $1,144.76 | $262.70 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $1,144.76 | $262.70 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $1,144.76 | $262.70 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $1,135.99 | $263.23 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $1,135.99 | $263.23 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $1,135.99 | $263.23 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | 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 Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
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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