CPT code 49322: Laparoscopic aspiration, cyst or cavity2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Report this service when a surgeon uses laparoscopy to aspirate a cavity or cyst, such as an ovarian cyst, during an operative procedure.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 49322 in Oregon.
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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What 49322 covers
A surgeon uses a laparoscope and instruments inserted through small abdominal incisions to aspirate fluid from a cavity or cyst. Gynecologic surgeons commonly perform the procedure for an ovarian cyst; other surgeons may use it for another suitable abdominal or pelvic cystic space. The code covers aspiration of one or multiple cysts or cavities during the procedure, rather than a separate service for each one.
Choose this code when the operative report documents laparoscopic aspiration, the treated site, and the procedure performed. It differs from laparoscopic biopsy, which obtains tissue rather than aspirating a cyst or cavity. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. CMS permits payment for an assistant at surgery and co-surgeons; 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 49322 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | Unavailable | $358.83 |
| Rest of Oregon | Unavailable | $340.85 |
How the 49322 rate is calculated
Each of 49322’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 · 49322
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.86
5.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.36
3.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.42
1.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
10.6400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$355.39
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 49322
49322 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 49322
Laparoscopic aspiration, cyst or cavity
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 2 | Permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 49322
Laparoscopic aspiration, cyst or cavity
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
49322 without 51 · national facility
$355.39
Laparoscopic aspiration, cyst or cavity
49322-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$177.70
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%).
49322 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 49320Diagnostic laparoscopyAbdomen and peritoneum
- 49320 describes diagnostic laparoscopy. Choose 49322 when the surgeon performs aspiration of a cyst or cavity, not merely inspection.
- 49321Laparoscopic biopsyTissue sampling
- 49321 is for obtaining tissue by laparoscopic biopsy; 49322 is for aspirating fluid from a cyst or cavity.
- 49323Lymphocele drainageLaparoscopic approach
- 49323 is specific to laparoscopic drainage of a lymphocele. Use 49322 for aspiration of another cavity or cyst, such as an ovarian cyst.
49322 billing questions
How is this different from 49321?
Use 49322 when the surgeon aspirates fluid from a cavity or cyst. Code 49321 is for laparoscopic biopsy, where tissue is obtained.
Should each aspirated cyst be reported as a separate unit?
No. The service includes aspiration of a single or multiple cysts or cavities; do not report a separate unit for each one.
Can modifier 50 be used for cysts on both sides?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 should not be used.
What postoperative care is included?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.
What happens when another related endoscopy is performed in the same session?
Endoscopy family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. Document each procedure and its distinct clinical purpose in the operative report.
May an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
CMS permits payment for an assistant at surgery and for co-surgeons. Team surgery is not permitted for this code.
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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