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CPT code 51610: Bladder injection, for x-ray imaging2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports injection of contrast into the bladder to support x-ray imaging, separate from the radiographic acquisition and interpretation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.6K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $146.60 for 51610 in the office and $63.58 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$146.60Office (non-facility)
$63.58Hospital or facility
+14.3%vs the national office rate ($128.26)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 51610 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 51610 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 51610 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 51610 covers

A clinician introduces contrast into the bladder so it can be assessed on x-ray. The contrast is commonly delivered through a urinary catheter. This service may be part of a cystographic evaluation when the ordering clinician needs to assess the bladder, such as when investigating a suspected leak. Urologists and radiologists may perform the injection in a hospital, imaging department, or other procedure setting. The radiographic images and their interpretation are distinct from the injection service.

Report 51610 when the documented bladder contrast injection matches this service; the record should identify the clinical reason, the injection performed, and the associated imaging study. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple 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. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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 Washington, DC area compares for 51610

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 51610 runs from $113.60 in Arkansas to $170.01 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $146.60. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51610 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$146.60
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$144.81−$1.79
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$138.09−$8.51
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$134.14−$12.46
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$147.40+$0.80
  6. Alaska · Alaska$149.36+$2.76
  7. Alabama · Alabama$115.25−$31.35

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

51610 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$113.60$53.06
ArizonaArizona$124.89$56.60
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$136.00$58.76
Chico, CACalifornia$135.64$58.39
El Centro, CACalifornia$135.66$58.41
Fresno, CACalifornia$135.64$58.39
Hanford, CACalifornia$135.64$58.39
Madera, CACalifornia$135.64$58.39

51610 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$113.60

$152.83

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

View every state and territory as a table
51610 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$149.361
AL$115.251
AR$113.601
AZ$124.891
CA$135.64–$170.0129
CO$133.561
CT$136.731
DC$146.601
DE$126.941
FL$126.31–$138.093
GA$119.29–$130.612
GU$138.931
HI$138.931
IA$118.181
ID$118.931
IL$122.67–$134.144
IN$119.621
KS$117.611
KY$117.911
LA$117.72–$123.482
MA$132.77–$146.712
MD$129.35–$146.603
ME$119.53–$125.972
MI$120.93–$127.852
MN$128.051
MO$115.71–$123.943
MS$114.681
MT$128.251
NC$120.771
ND$125.881
NE$118.821
NH$131.461
NJ$138.31–$145.112
NM$121.581
NV$127.681
NY$122.56–$150.925
OH$120.451
OK$117.721
OR$126.71–$137.792
PA$120.64–$133.342
PR$129.191
RI$131.451
SC$120.801
SD$125.601
TN$118.201
TX$119.86–$133.108
UT$122.441
VA$125.55–$146.602
VI$129.191
VT$125.381
WA$132.52–$149.702
WI$121.701
WV$118.171
WY$127.221

See 51610 in every payment locality

How the 51610 rate is calculated

Each of 51610’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 · 51610

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.02

1.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.70

2.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.8400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$128.26

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,044

Code
51610
Physician work
1.02
Practice expense
2.70
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 51610 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.02× 1.0541.0751
Practice expense2.70× 1.1783.1806
Malpractice0.12× 1.1130.1336
Total RVUs4.3892
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$146.60

Office: (1.02 × 1.054 + 2.7 × 1.178 + 0.12 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $146.60

Facility: (1.02 × 1.054 + 0.59 × 1.178 + 0.12 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $63.58

Open 51610 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 51610

The CMS indicators that decide how 51610 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 51610

Bladder injection, for x-ray imaging

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)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 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

51610 without 51 · national office

$128.26

Bladder injection, for x-ray imaging

51610-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$64.13

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

Codes related to 51610

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 51610
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
51600Bladder injection, cystography or voiding studyRelated bladder contrast injection code; select according to the service documented.$240.58
51605Bladder study prep, before contrast imagingRelated bladder x-ray preparation service, distinct from this injection code.No office rate
Often billed with
74430Bladder imaging, retrograde contrastRadiographic cystography imaging may be reported with the injection service.$47.83

How 51610 has changed in Washington, DC area

51610 · Office / nonfacility

$146.60

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.00 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $142.60 to $146.60 (2.8%).

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

    $142.60changed to$146.60

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.05 changed to 1.02
    • Practice expense RVU 2.64 changed to 2.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $148.35changed to$142.60

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.69 changed to 2.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $145.92changed to$148.35

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $153.66changed to$145.92

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.70 changed to 2.69
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $160.00changed to$153.66

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.73 changed to 2.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $155.72changed to$160.00

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.60 changed to 2.73

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $144.85changed to$155.72

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.60
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $133.55changed to$144.85

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 2.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $126.89changed to$133.55

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.91 changed to 2.06

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $125.79changed to$126.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 1.91
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $125.21changed to$125.79

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.88 changed to 1.89
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $126.12changed to$125.21

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $125.49changed to$126.12

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $123.04changed to$125.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.84 changed to 1.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $122.02changed to$123.04

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 1.84
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $122.02

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$146.60$63.58RVU26D
2026-07-01$146.60$63.58RVU26C
2026-04-01$146.60$63.58RVU26B
2026-01-01$146.60$63.58RVU26A
2025-10-01$142.60$70.50RVU25D
2025-07-01$142.60$70.50RVU25C
2025-04-01$142.60$70.50RVU25B
2025-01-01$142.60$70.50RVU25A
2024-10-01$148.35$70.97RVU24D
2024-07-01$148.35$70.97RVU24C
2024-04-01$148.35$70.97RVU24B
2024-03-09$148.35$70.97RVU24AR
2024-01-01$145.92$69.81RVU24A
2023-10-01$153.66$72.20RVU23D
2023-07-01$153.66$72.20RVU23C
2023-04-01$153.66$72.20RVU23B
2023-01-01$153.66$72.20RVU23A
2022-10-01$160.00$73.17RVU22D
2022-07-01$160.00$73.17RVU22C
2022-04-01$160.00$73.17RVU22B
2022-01-01$160.00$73.17RVU22A
2021-10-01$155.72$73.34RVU21D
2021-07-01$155.72$73.34RVU21C
2021-04-01$155.72$73.34RVU21B
2021-01-01$155.72$73.34RVU21A
2020-10-01$144.85$75.23RVU20D
2020-07-01$144.85$75.23RVU20C
2020-04-01$144.85$75.23RVU20B
2020-01-01$144.85$75.23RVU20A
2019-10-01$133.55$74.49RVU19D
2019-07-01$133.55$74.49RVU19C
2019-04-01$133.55$74.49RVU19B
2019-01-01$133.55$74.49RVU19A
2018-10-01$126.89$74.41RVU18D
2018-07-01$126.89$74.41RVU18C
2018-04-01$126.89$74.41RVU18B
2018-01-01$126.89$74.41RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$125.79$74.76RVU17D
2017-07-01$125.79$74.76RVU17C
2017-04-01$125.79$74.76RVU17B
2017-01-01$125.79$74.76RVU17A
2016-10-01$125.21$74.30RVU16D
2016-07-01$125.21$74.30RVU16C
2016-04-01$125.21$74.30RVU16B
2016-01-01$125.21$74.30RVU16A
2015-10-01$126.12$75.02RVU15D
2015-07-01$126.12$75.02RVU15C
2015-04-01$125.49$74.65RVU15B
2015-01-01$125.49$74.65RVU15A
2014-10-01$123.04$73.52RVU14D
2014-07-01$123.04$73.52RVU14C
2014-04-01$123.04$73.52RVU14B
2014-01-01$123.04$73.52RVU14A
2013-10-01$122.02$70.67RVU13D
2013-07-01$122.02$70.67RVU13C
2013-04-01$122.02$70.67RVU13B
2013-01-01$122.02$70.67RVU13AR

Price 51610 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

51610 billing questions

How does 51610 differ from 51600?

Both involve bladder-related contrast injection for x-ray evaluation. Choose the code that matches the documented injection service; do not select 51610 based only on the fact that a cystogram was performed.

Does 51610 include the x-ray study?

The code describes the injection service, not the radiographic image acquisition or interpretation. Report the imaging service separately when it is performed and separately reportable.

Can modifier 50 be reported?

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

How does the multiple-procedure rule affect payment?

For procedures performed in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction to the others.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for 51610. CMS does not permit co-surgeon or team-surgery reporting.

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 51610PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,044 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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