CPT code 50548: Nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic, total ureterectomy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Louisiana
Reports laparoscopic removal of a kidney with the entire ureter, commonly performed for upper urinary tract cancer requiring nephroureterectomy.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 50548 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 50548 covers
The surgeon uses laparoscopic access to remove a kidney together with the full ureter on that side. Urologists most often perform this operation for upper tract urothelial cancer involving the renal pelvis or ureter. It is typically done in an operating room with facility support; the operative report should establish the laparoscopic approach and the extent of the tissue removed.
Report this code when the kidney and entire ureter are removed laparoscopically, rather than when only part of the ureter is removed with a nephrectomy. The procedure has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons require 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 50548 pays more and less in Louisiana
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | Unavailable | $1,190.51 |
| Rest of Louisiana | Unavailable | $1,156.94 |
How the 50548 rate is calculated
Each of 50548’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 · 50548
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work24.73
24.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.71
7.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice3.22
3.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
35.6600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,191.08
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 50548
50548 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 50548
Nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic, total ureterectomy
| 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 · 50548
Nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic, total ureterectomy
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
50548 without 50 · national facility
$1,191.08
Nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic, total ureterectomy
50548-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,786.62
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).
50548 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 50545Radical nephrectomyLaparoscopic approach
- Use 50548 when the entire ureter is removed with the kidney. Use 50545 for laparoscopic radical nephrectomy when the ureter is removed only in part.
- 50546NephrectomyLaparoscopic, partial ureterectomy
- 50546 describes laparoscopic nephrectomy with partial ureter removal. 50548 is distinguished by removal of the entire ureter.
- 50547Donor nephrectomyLaparoscopic procurement
- 50547 is for laparoscopic kidney removal from a living donor. 50548 is for kidney and total ureter removal, not donor nephrectomy.
50548 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from laparoscopic radical nephrectomy?
This code represents removal of the kidney with the entire ureter. The radical nephrectomy code is used when the ureter is only partially removed as part of the kidney operation.
What operative documentation supports reporting this code?
Document the laparoscopic approach, removal of the kidney, and removal of the entire ureter. Include the clinical indication, such as upper tract urothelial cancer, when applicable.
Does this code have a 90-day global period?
Yes. The global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures in that session are paid at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeons are paid only with 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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