CPT code 47552: Biliary endoscopy, diagnostic, through existing access2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $254.85 for 47552 nationally in a facility.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 47552 covers

An interventional radiologist typically passes an endoscope through an established percutaneous biliary tract to inspect the ducts, often while evaluating a stricture, unexplained obstruction, or suspected intraductal lesion. The service may include collecting cells with brushings or washings. It uses existing access rather than creating a new tract, and is generally performed in a hospital procedural setting.

Report this code when the documented service is diagnostic endoscopy through that existing access; brushings or washings are included when performed. A biopsy is distinguished from brush or wash sampling and may point to code 47553. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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 47552 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

47552 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 47552 rate is calculated

Each of 47552’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 47552

The CMS indicators that decide how 47552 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

47552 compared with similar codes

How to choose

47553Biliary endoscopyWith biopsy

Choose 47552 for diagnostic inspection with brush or wash sampling when performed. Choose 47553 when the endoscopic service includes biopsy.

47531CholangiogramThrough existing catheter

47531 reports contrast injection through existing access for cholangiographic imaging. 47552 reports endoscopic inspection through existing access.

47543Biliary biopsyPercutaneous endoluminal sampling

47543 describes endoluminal biopsy of the biliary tree. 47552 is the diagnostic endoscopic service with brushing or washing when performed.

Codes related to 47552

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates