CPT code 50542: Renal mass ablation, laparoscopic approach2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports laparoscopic destruction of one or more renal masses, such as a tumor treated with cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 50542 in Illinois.
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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On this page 9 sections
What 50542 covers
A urologic surgeon uses laparoscopic access to destroy a renal mass while preserving the kidney when the treatment plan calls for ablation rather than excision. Common techniques include cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation. The procedure is generally performed in an operating room, and intraoperative ultrasound guidance is included when used. This code is for a renal mass, not a renal cyst or a tumor removed by partial nephrectomy.
Report the service when the operative documentation identifies the renal mass, laparoscopic approach, ablation performed, and treated side or sides. The code covers ablation of one or more masses in the procedure. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; 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 50542 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | Unavailable | $1,168.59 |
| East St. Louis, IL | Unavailable | $1,116.25 |
| Rest of Illinois | Unavailable | $1,073.47 |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | Unavailable | $1,126.76 |
How the 50542 rate is calculated
Each of 50542’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 · 50542
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work20.83
20.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.73
7.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.72
2.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
31.2800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,044.78
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 50542
50542 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 50542
Renal mass ablation, laparoscopic approach
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.08/0.83/0.09 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 50542
Renal mass ablation, laparoscopic approach
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
50542 without 50 · national facility
$1,044.78
Renal mass ablation, laparoscopic approach
50542-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,567.17
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).
50542 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 50541Renal cyst ablationLaparoscopic approach
- 50541 describes laparoscopic ablation of a renal cyst. Choose 50542 for ablation of a renal mass.
- 50543Partial nephrectomyLaparoscopic approach
- 50543 is for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, which removes renal tissue containing the mass. 50542 destroys the mass without describing its excision.
- 50592Renal tumor ablationPercutaneous radiofrequency
- 50592 is for percutaneous renal tumor ablation. 50542 applies when the surgeon performs the ablation laparoscopically.
50542 billing questions
How does this differ from laparoscopic partial nephrectomy?
Use 50542 when the renal mass is destroyed in place. Use 50543 when the surgeon removes the mass with a portion of kidney.
Can this code be used for a renal cyst?
No. Laparoscopic ablation of a renal cyst is reported with 50541; 50542 is for a renal mass.
Is intraoperative ultrasound separately reported?
The code includes intraoperative ultrasound guidance when performed. Do not separately report that guidance as though it were outside the ablation service.
How is bilateral ablation reported?
For a bilateral procedure, report modifier 50; CMS pays the service at 150%.
What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?
CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction to the other procedure or procedures. The 90-day global period includes related postoperative care.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; team surgery is 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
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