CPT code 50435: Nephrostomy exchange, existing percutaneous access2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Merced, CA

Report this service when a clinician exchanges an existing percutaneous nephrostomy catheter through its established renal access tract, with imaging guidance.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality39.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Merced, CA, Medicare pays $609.16 for 50435 in the office and $87.87 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$609.16Office (non-facility)
$87.87Hospital or facility
+8.1%vs the national office rate ($563.47)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 50435 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 50435 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Merced, CA
  2. What 50435 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 50435 covers

An interventional radiologist or urologist exchanges a nephrostomy catheter through the patient’s established percutaneous tract into the renal collecting system. The service is used for routine catheter maintenance or when an existing tube is obstructed, damaged, or no longer functioning adequately. Imaging guides the exchange; contrast evaluation of the collecting system or ureter may be performed as part of the service. It is commonly furnished in a hospital or outpatient imaging setting.

Document the existing access, the catheter exchange, the treated side, and the imaging guidance used. When performed during the exchange, the diagnostic nephrostogram or ureterogram and associated imaging are included. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. With modifier 50, a bilateral procedure is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 Merced, CA compares for 50435

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 50435 runs from $490.06 in Arkansas to $786.85 in San Benito County, CA. Merced, CA pays $609.16. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

50435 in Merced, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Merced, CA · this page$609.16
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$609.76+$0.60
  3. Chico, CA · California$609.16
  4. El Centro, CA · California$609.19+$0.03
  5. Fresno, CA · California$609.16
  6. Hanford, CA · California$609.16
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$654.73+$45.57

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

Every other payment area

50435 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$609.16$87.87
Modesto, CACalifornia$609.16$87.87
Napa, CACalifornia$722.17$95.29
Oxnard, CACalifornia$653.19$90.99
Redding, CACalifornia$609.16$87.87
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$609.16$87.87
Riverside, CACalifornia$611.33$90.04
Sacramento, CACalifornia$643.62$90.47

50435 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.

$490.06

$698.01

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

View every state and territory as a table
50435 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$622.381
AL$498.361
AR$490.061
AZ$547.081
CA$609.16–$786.8529
CO$594.571
CT$604.381
DC$656.011
DE$557.121
FL$544.94–$594.093
GA$511.01–$572.962
GU$628.841
HI$628.841
IA$517.141
ID$520.141
IL$523.94–$582.484
IN$523.711
KS$512.381
KY$507.661
LA$505.96–$535.022
MA$589.44–$661.712
MD$569.49–$656.013
ME$521.13–$556.532
MI$521.04–$550.642
MN$573.201
MO$494.62–$539.603
MS$492.551
MT$563.461
NC$527.721
ND$559.511
NE$521.001
NH$583.041
NJ$612.27–$647.282
NM$523.511
NV$562.861
NY$536.61–$667.045
OH$520.231
OK$508.731
OR$559.50–$617.952
PA$522.30–$586.232
PR$568.851
RI$580.301
SC$524.651
SD$559.041
TN$515.091
TX$518.21–$591.698
UT$532.931
VA$553.05–$656.012
VI$568.851
VT$555.201
WA$589.02–$678.182
WI$537.951
WV$501.161
WY$561.741

See 50435 in every payment locality

How the 50435 rate is calculated

Each of 50435’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 · 50435

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.77

1.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense14.90

14.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

16.8700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$563.47

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

The exact Merced, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,922

Code
50435
Physician work
1.77
Practice expense
14.90
Malpractice
0.20

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 50435 in Merced, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.77× 1.0171.8001
Practice expense14.90× 1.09616.3304
Malpractice0.20× 0.5360.1072
Total RVUs18.2377
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Merced, CA$609.16

Office: (1.77 × 1.017 + 14.9 × 1.096 + 0.2 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $609.16

Facility: (1.77 × 1.017 + 0.66 × 1.096 + 0.2 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $87.87

Open 50435 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 50435

The CMS indicators that decide how 50435 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 50435

Nephrostomy exchange, existing percutaneous access

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

50435 without 50 · national office

$563.47

Nephrostomy exchange, existing percutaneous access

50435-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$845.21

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

How 50435 has changed in Merced, CA

50435 · Office / nonfacility

$609.16

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $12.70 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $596.46 to $609.16 (2.1%).

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

    $596.46changed to$609.16

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.82 changed to 1.77
    • Practice expense RVU 15.09 changed to 14.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.20
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $632.19changed to$596.46

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 15.59 changed to 15.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $621.87changed to$632.19

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $658.31changed to$621.87

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 16.18 changed to 15.59
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $683.52changed to$658.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 16.69 changed to 16.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.19
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $669.98changed to$683.52

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 16.19 changed to 16.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $613.34changed to$669.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 14.06 changed to 16.19
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $559.77changed to$613.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 12.65 changed to 14.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $512.38changed to$559.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 11.44 changed to 12.65

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $512.23changed to$512.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 11.41 changed to 11.44
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$512.23

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$609.16$87.87RVU26D
2026-07-01$609.16$87.87RVU26C
2026-04-01$609.16$87.87RVU26B
2026-01-01$609.16$87.87RVU26A
2025-10-01$596.46$96.19RVU25D
2025-07-01$596.46$96.19RVU25C
2025-04-01$596.46$96.19RVU25B
2025-01-01$596.46$96.19RVU25A
2024-10-01$632.19$98.08RVU24D
2024-07-01$632.19$98.08RVU24C
2024-04-01$632.19$98.08RVU24B
2024-03-09$632.19$98.08RVU24AR
2024-01-01$621.87$96.48RVU24A
2023-10-01$658.31$99.97RVU23D
2023-07-01$658.31$99.97RVU23C
2023-04-01$658.31$99.97RVU23B
2023-01-01$658.31$99.97RVU23A
2022-10-01$683.52$101.20RVU22D
2022-07-01$683.52$101.20RVU22C
2022-04-01$683.52$101.20RVU22B
2022-01-01$683.52$101.20RVU22A
2021-10-01$669.98$101.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$669.98$101.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$669.98$101.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$669.98$101.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$613.34$105.54RVU20D
2020-07-01$613.34$105.54RVU20C
2020-04-01$613.34$105.54RVU20B
2020-01-01$613.34$105.54RVU20A
2019-10-01$559.77$105.75RVU19D
2019-07-01$559.77$105.75RVU19C
2019-04-01$559.77$105.75RVU19B
2019-01-01$559.77$105.75RVU19A
2018-10-01$512.38$106.02RVU18D
2018-07-01$512.38$106.02RVU18C
2018-04-01$512.38$106.02RVU18B
2018-01-01$512.38$106.02RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$512.23$107.18RVU17D
2017-07-01$512.23$107.18RVU17C
2017-04-01$512.23$107.18RVU17B
2017-01-01$512.23$107.18RVU17A
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
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
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 50435 for an earlier date of service

Where the Merced, CA rate applies

Merced, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Merced
  • Atwater
  • Ballico
  • Bear Creek
  • Cressey
  • Delhi
  • Dos Palos
  • Dos Palos Y

Browse all communities in California

50435 billing questions

How is an exchange different from placing a nephrostomy catheter?

Use 50435 when the clinician exchanges a catheter through an existing percutaneous renal access tract. Placement through new access is represented by 50432.

Can the nephrostogram be billed separately during the exchange?

No. The diagnostic nephrostogram or ureterogram, when performed as part of the exchange, is included in 50435.

When is 50434 more appropriate?

Use 50434 when the existing nephrostomy catheter is converted to a nephroureteral catheter, rather than exchanged for another nephrostomy catheter.

How should bilateral exchanges be reported?

CMS identifies 50435 as a bilateral procedure; report modifier 50 when both sides are treated. The bilateral payment is 150%.

What same-session payment reduction may apply?

When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and the others at 50%.

What documentation supports reporting 50435?

Record that a nephrostomy catheter was already present, that it was exchanged through the existing access, the side treated, and the imaging guidance used.

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 50435PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,922 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Merced, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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