CPT code 49465: Tube examination, fluoroscopic contrast study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA

Fluoroscopic contrast evaluation checks the position and function of an indwelling gastric, intestinal, or colostomy tube when a tube problem is suspected.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality10K Medicare services in 2024

In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $139.71 for 49465 in the office and $25.49 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$139.71Office (non-facility)
$25.49Hospital or facility
+7.5%vs the national office rate ($129.93)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 49465 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 49465 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in El Centro, CA
  2. What 49465 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 49465 covers

A physician, commonly a radiologist, evaluates an indwelling gastrostomy, duodenostomy, jejunostomy, gastrojejunostomy, or colostomy tube by injecting contrast through it and observing the flow under fluoroscopy. The study can help assess tube position, patency, or suspected leakage. It is performed in a radiology department or another setting equipped for fluoroscopic imaging when the clinical question calls for a contrast examination of the existing tube.

Report 49465 for the fluoroscopic examination, including the contrast injection or injections, image documentation, and report. The record should identify the tube examined, the reason for the study, the contrast findings, and the interpretation. This is a diagnostic examination, not a tube replacement or repositioning service. It has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 El Centro, CA compares for 49465

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 49465 runs from $113.75 in Arkansas to $178.89 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $139.71. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

49465 in El Centro, CA vs other payment areas
  1. El Centro, CA · this page$139.71
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$139.88+$0.17
  3. Chico, CA · California$139.70−$0.01
  4. Fresno, CA · California$139.70−$0.01
  5. Hanford, CA · California$139.70−$0.01
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$149.82+$10.11
  7. Madera, CA · California$139.70−$0.01

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

Every other payment area

49465 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$139.70$25.48
Modesto, CACalifornia$139.70$25.48
Napa, CACalifornia$164.51$27.16
Oxnard, CACalifornia$149.37$26.19
Redding, CACalifornia$139.70$25.48
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$139.70$25.48
Riverside, CACalifornia$140.35$26.14
Sacramento, CACalifornia$147.31$26.11

49465 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.

$113.75

$159.30

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

View every state and territory as a table
49465 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$146.061
AL$115.571
AR$113.751
AZ$126.301
CA$139.70–$178.8929
CO$136.641
CT$139.061
DC$150.441
DE$128.531
FL$126.19–$137.423
GA$118.66–$132.122
GU$143.871
HI$143.871
IA$119.551
ID$120.241
IL$121.67–$134.534
IN$121.021
KS$118.581
KY$117.781
LA$117.44–$123.842
MA$135.56–$151.462
MD$131.26–$150.443
ME$120.54–$128.222
MI$120.80–$127.532
MN$131.651
MO$114.99–$124.763
MS$114.411
MT$129.931
NC$121.981
ND$128.741
NE$120.381
NH$134.101
NJ$140.85–$148.592
NM$121.381
NV$129.701
NY$123.94–$153.325
OH$120.561
OK$117.941
OR$128.90–$141.712
PA$120.97–$135.102
PR$131.091
RI$133.651
SC$121.431
SD$128.601
TN$119.181
TX$120.08–$136.008
UT$123.251
VA$127.51–$150.442
VI$131.091
VT$127.861
WA$135.43–$155.052
WI$124.011
WV$116.661
WY$129.411

See 49465 in every payment locality

How the 49465 rate is calculated

Each of 49465’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 · 49465

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.60

0.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.23

3.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.06

0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.8900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$129.93

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

The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,820

Code
49465
Physician work
0.60
Practice expense
3.23
Malpractice
0.06

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office calculation for 49465 in El Centro, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.60× 1.0170.6102
Practice expense3.23× 1.0963.5401
Malpractice0.06× 0.5410.0325
Total RVUs4.1827
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, El Centro, CA$139.71

Office: (0.6 × 1.017 + 3.23 × 1.096 + 0.06 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $139.71

Facility: (0.6 × 1.017 + 0.11 × 1.096 + 0.06 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $25.49

Open 49465 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 49465

The CMS indicators that decide how 49465 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 49465

Tube examination, fluoroscopic contrast study

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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
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

49465 without 51 · national office

$129.93

Tube examination, fluoroscopic contrast study

49465-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$64.97

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 49465 has changed in El Centro, CA

49465 · Office / nonfacility

$139.71

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $138.99 to $139.71 (0.5%).

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

    $138.99changed to$139.71

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.62 changed to 0.60
    • Practice expense RVU 3.33 changed to 3.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $145.40changed to$138.99

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.39 changed to 3.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $143.03changed to$145.40

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $148.08changed to$143.03

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.43 changed to 3.39
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $149.52changed to$148.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $160.42changed to$149.52

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.69 changed to 3.43
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $165.73changed to$160.42

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.67 changed to 3.69
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $171.29changed to$165.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.67
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $178.05changed to$171.29

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.99 changed to 3.81
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $178.39changed to$178.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$178.39

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$139.71$25.49RVU26D
2026-07-01$139.71$25.49RVU26C
2026-04-01$139.71$25.49RVU26B
2026-01-01$139.71$25.49RVU26A
2025-10-01$138.99$29.04RVU25D
2025-07-01$138.99$29.04RVU25C
2025-04-01$138.99$29.04RVU25B
2025-01-01$138.99$29.04RVU25A
2024-10-01$145.40$29.71RVU24D
2024-07-01$145.40$29.71RVU24C
2024-04-01$145.40$29.71RVU24B
2024-03-09$145.40$29.71RVU24AR
2024-01-01$143.03$29.22RVU24A
2023-10-01$148.08$30.71RVU23D
2023-07-01$148.08$30.71RVU23C
2023-04-01$148.08$30.71RVU23B
2023-01-01$148.08$30.71RVU23A
2022-10-01$149.52$30.85RVU22D
2022-07-01$149.52$30.85RVU22C
2022-04-01$149.52$30.85RVU22B
2022-01-01$149.52$30.85RVU22A
2021-10-01$160.42$31.47RVU21D
2021-07-01$160.42$31.47RVU21C
2021-04-01$160.42$31.47RVU21B
2021-01-01$160.42$31.47RVU21A
2020-10-01$165.73$32.50RVU20D
2020-07-01$165.73$32.50RVU20C
2020-04-01$165.73$32.50RVU20B
2020-01-01$165.73$32.50RVU20A
2019-10-01$171.29$32.33RVU19D
2019-07-01$171.29$32.33RVU19C
2019-04-01$171.29$32.33RVU19B
2019-01-01$171.29$32.33RVU19A
2018-10-01$178.05$32.29RVU18D
2018-07-01$178.05$32.29RVU18C
2018-04-01$178.05$32.29RVU18B
2018-01-01$178.05$32.29RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$178.39$32.79RVU17D
2017-07-01$178.39$32.79RVU17C
2017-04-01$178.39$32.79RVU17B
2017-01-01$178.39$32.79RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 49465 for an earlier date of service

Where the El Centro, CA rate applies

El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • El Centro
  • Bombay Beach
  • Brawley
  • Calexico
  • Calipatria
  • Desert Shores
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
  • Heber

Browse all communities in California

49465 billing questions

When should 49465 be selected instead of a tube replacement code?

Use 49465 when the service is a fluoroscopic contrast examination of the existing tube. Use a replacement code when the tube is actually exchanged.

Are contrast injection and image documentation separately reported?

They are included in 49465 along with the fluoroscopic examination and report.

Can modifier 50 be used for tubes on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

What documentation supports reporting 49465?

Document the tube examined, the clinical reason for the study, contrast administration, fluoroscopic findings, and the interpretation.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect 49465?

When it is performed in the same session as other procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. 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 49465PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,820 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El Centro, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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