CPT code 49406: Catheter drainage, peritoneal or retroperitoneal2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Report percutaneous, image-guided catheter placement to drain a fluid collection in the peritoneal or retroperitoneal space.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality27.5K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $782.27 for 49406 in the office and $162.87 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$782.27Office (non-facility)
$162.87Hospital or facility
−6.5%vs the national office rate ($837.03)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 49406 nationwide

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

We’ll open 49406 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 49406 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 49406 covers

This service places a catheter through the skin into a fluid collection in the peritoneal or retroperitoneal space so the collection can be drained. Typical cases include image-guided drainage of an abdominal abscess, hematoma, or cyst. An interventional radiologist commonly performs the procedure in a hospital imaging suite or other procedural setting, using imaging to guide access and catheter position.

Select this code when the collection is peritoneal or retroperitoneal; collections in a visceral organ or another specified access route belong to different codes. The report should identify the collection’s location and nature, the imaging guidance and access used, and catheter placement and drainage. This is a minor procedure with a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, 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 South Carolina compares for 49406

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 49406 runs from $732.55 in Arkansas to $1,151.04 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $782.27. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

49406 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$782.27
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$964.42+$182.15
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$968.95+$186.68
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$886.88+$104.61
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$859.57+$77.30
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$965.81+$183.54
  7. Alaska · Alaska$940.89+$158.62

Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

49406 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$744.35$157.78
ArkansasArkansas$732.55$156.71
ArizonaArizona$813.53$163.96
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$900.52$165.81
Chico, CACalifornia$899.23$164.52
El Centro, CACalifornia$899.30$164.59
Fresno, CACalifornia$899.23$164.52
Hanford, CACalifornia$899.23$164.52

49406 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.

$732.55

$1,025.14

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
49406 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$940.891
AL$744.351
AR$732.551
AZ$813.531
CA$899.23–$1,151.0429
CO$879.851
CT$895.921
DC$968.951
DE$827.951
FL$813.60–$886.883
GA$764.90–$851.322
GU$926.031
HI$926.031
IA$769.681
ID$774.211
IL$784.66–$867.474
IN$779.251
KS$763.571
KY$758.941
LA$756.77–$798.062
MA$872.98–$975.212
MD$845.49–$968.953
ME$776.31–$825.622
MI$778.57–$822.402
MN$847.241
MO$741.06–$803.803
MS$737.081
MT$837.001
NC$785.551
ND$828.691
NE$774.961
NH$863.681
NJ$907.33–$957.022
NM$782.351
NV$835.381
NY$798.22–$988.315
OH$776.871
OK$759.781
OR$830.09–$912.412
PA$779.45–$870.482
PR$844.441
RI$860.851
SC$782.271
SD$827.711
TN$767.491
TX$773.68–$875.878
UT$794.031
VA$821.13–$968.952
VI$844.441
VT$823.171
WA$872.08–$998.222
WI$798.221
WV$752.321
WY$833.381

See 49406 in every payment locality

How the 49406 rate is calculated

Each of 49406’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 · 49406

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.90

3.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense20.74

20.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.42

0.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

25.0600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$837.03

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,795

Code
49406
Physician work
3.90
Practice expense
20.74
Malpractice
0.42

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 49406 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.90× 1.0003.9000
Practice expense20.74× 0.92419.1638
Malpractice0.42× 0.8500.3570
Total RVUs23.4208
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$782.27

Office: (3.9 × 1 + 20.74 × 0.924 + 0.42 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $782.27

Facility: (3.9 × 1 + 0.67 × 0.924 + 0.42 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $162.87

Open 49406 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 49406

The CMS indicators that decide how 49406 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 49406

Catheter drainage, peritoneal or retroperitoneal

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

49406 without 51 · national office

$837.03

Catheter drainage, peritoneal or retroperitoneal

49406-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$418.52

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%).

When to use modifier 51

How 49406 has changed in South Carolina

49406 · Office / nonfacility

$782.27

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $19.77 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $762.50 to $782.27 (2.6%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $762.50changed to$782.27

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.00 changed to 3.90
    • Practice expense RVU 21.08 changed to 20.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $803.83changed to$762.50

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 21.71 changed to 21.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $790.71changed to$803.83

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $836.37changed to$790.71

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 22.46 changed to 21.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $867.14changed to$836.37

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 23.05 changed to 22.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $872.20changed to$867.14

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 22.99 changed to 23.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $832.54changed to$872.20

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 20.79 changed to 22.99
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $794.35changed to$832.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 19.57 changed to 20.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $761.76changed to$794.35

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 18.61 changed to 19.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $759.32changed to$761.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 18.57 changed to 18.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $824.51changed to$759.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 4.25 changed to 4.00
    • Practice expense RVU 20.30 changed to 18.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $826.73changed to$824.51

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 20.23 changed to 20.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.37

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $822.62changed to$826.73

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $816.72changed to$822.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 20.11 changed to 20.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$816.72

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$782.27$162.87RVU26D
2026-07-01$782.27$162.87RVU26C
2026-04-01$782.27$162.87RVU26B
2026-01-01$782.27$162.87RVU26A
2025-10-01$762.50$178.64RVU25D
2025-07-01$762.50$178.64RVU25C
2025-04-01$762.50$178.64RVU25B
2025-01-01$762.50$178.64RVU25A
2024-10-01$803.83$182.63RVU24D
2024-07-01$803.83$182.63RVU24C
2024-04-01$803.83$182.63RVU24B
2024-03-09$803.83$182.63RVU24AR
2024-01-01$790.71$179.64RVU24A
2023-10-01$836.37$185.28RVU23D
2023-07-01$836.37$185.28RVU23C
2023-04-01$836.37$185.28RVU23B
2023-01-01$836.37$185.28RVU23A
2022-10-01$867.14$187.47RVU22D
2022-07-01$867.14$187.47RVU22C
2022-04-01$867.14$187.47RVU22B
2022-01-01$867.14$187.47RVU22A
2021-10-01$872.20$189.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$872.20$189.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$872.20$189.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$872.20$189.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$832.54$196.53RVU20D
2020-07-01$832.54$196.53RVU20C
2020-04-01$832.54$196.53RVU20B
2020-01-01$832.54$196.53RVU20A
2019-10-01$794.35$196.16RVU19D
2019-07-01$794.35$196.16RVU19C
2019-04-01$794.35$196.16RVU19B
2019-01-01$794.35$196.16RVU19A
2018-10-01$761.76$196.07RVU18D
2018-07-01$761.76$196.07RVU18C
2018-04-01$761.76$196.07RVU18B
2018-01-01$761.76$196.07RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$759.32$198.00RVU17D
2017-07-01$759.32$198.00RVU17C
2017-04-01$759.32$198.00RVU17B
2017-01-01$759.32$198.00RVU17A
2016-10-01$824.51$211.27RVU16D
2016-07-01$824.51$211.27RVU16C
2016-04-01$824.51$211.27RVU16B
2016-01-01$824.51$211.27RVU16A
2015-10-01$826.73$213.58RVU15D
2015-07-01$826.73$213.58RVU15C
2015-04-01$822.62$212.51RVU15B
2015-01-01$822.62$212.51RVU15A
2014-10-01$816.72$210.70RVU14D
2014-07-01$816.72$210.70RVU14C
2014-04-01$816.72$210.70RVU14B
2014-01-01$816.72$210.70RVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 49406 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

49406 billing questions

How does this differ from 49405?

Use 49406 for a peritoneal or retroperitoneal collection. Code 49405 is for a collection in a visceral site, such as an organ.

When is 49407 more appropriate?

Code 49407 is for catheter drainage reached through a transvaginal or transrectal route. Code 49406 covers percutaneous drainage of a peritoneal or retroperitoneal collection.

Can the imaging guidance be billed separately?

Image guidance is part of this catheter-drainage service. The procedure documentation should identify the guidance used and how it directed access and catheter placement.

Can modifier 50 be used for collections on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 should not be used.

How does the multiple-procedure rule affect another procedure in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedure or procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

Is an assistant or co-surgeon payable for this procedure?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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
RVUs for 49406PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,795 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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