CPT code 50545: Radical nephrectomy, laparoscopic approach2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Louisiana
Reports laparoscopic removal of a kidney with surrounding tissue, typically as an oncologic operation for renal cancer.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 50545 in Louisiana.
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 50545 covers
A urologist typically performs this operation in a hospital operating room, using laparoscopic access to remove the kidney and surrounding perinephric tissue as a radical procedure. It is commonly used for renal cancer when the planned operation removes the whole kidney rather than preserving part of it. The operative report should establish the laparoscopic approach and the extent of tissue removed.
Select this code for the radical operation actually performed, not solely because the diagnosis is cancer. A partial kidney resection, simple nephrectomy, or operation that also removes the ureter may point to a different code. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. 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 50545 pays more and less in Louisiana
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | Unavailable | $1,185.26 |
| Rest of Louisiana | Unavailable | $1,151.56 |
How the 50545 rate is calculated
Each of 50545’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 · 50545
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work24.43
24.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.91
7.91 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice3.18
3.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
35.5200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,186.40
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 50545
50545 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 50545
Radical nephrectomy, 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 · 50545
Radical nephrectomy, 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
50545 without 50 · national facility
$1,186.40
Radical nephrectomy, laparoscopic approach
50545-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,779.60
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).
50545 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 50543Partial nephrectomyLaparoscopic approach
- 50543 describes laparoscopic removal of part of the kidney. Use 50545 when the operative report supports radical removal of the whole kidney and surrounding tissue.
- 50546NephrectomyLaparoscopic, partial ureterectomy
- Both codes describe laparoscopic kidney removal, but 50545 identifies a radical operation. Choose based on the documented extent and nature of the procedure.
- 50548NephroureterectomyLaparoscopic, total ureterectomy
- 50548 is for laparoscopic removal of the kidney with the ureter. Use 50545 when the documented procedure is radical nephrectomy without that nephroureterectomy scope.
- 50542Renal mass ablationLaparoscopic approach
- 50542 reports laparoscopic ablation of a renal mass; 50545 reports removal of the kidney and surrounding tissue.
50545 billing questions
How does this differ from laparoscopic partial nephrectomy?
This code is for a radical operation that removes the whole kidney with surrounding tissue. Use the partial nephrectomy code when the surgeon removes only part of the kidney.
When would laparoscopic nephrectomy be a better match?
Compare the operative extent: this code represents radical nephrectomy, while 50546 represents laparoscopic nephrectomy without the radical designation. The operative report should support the procedure actually performed.
Can the ureter removal be reported with this code?
When the operation removes the kidney and ureter, compare the documentation with 50548, the laparoscopic nephroureterectomy code. Report the procedure that matches the operative extent rather than treating ureter removal as an automatic separate service.
What does the 90-day global period include?
It includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. The period is attached to this major surgery.
How is bilateral surgery handled?
For a bilateral procedure, modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid?
Assistant-at-surgery services 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
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