FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 51610: Bladder injection, for x-ray imaging2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

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 North Carolina, Medicare pays $120.77 for 51610 in the office and $55.02 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$120.77Office (non-facility)
$55.02Hospital or facility
−5.8%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 North Carolina
  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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $120.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51610 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$120.77
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$144.81+$24.04
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$146.60+$25.83
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$138.09+$17.32
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$134.14+$13.37
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$147.40+$26.63
  7. Alaska · Alaska$149.36+$28.59

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

Every other payment area

51610 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$115.25$53.58
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

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 North Carolina 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

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 51610 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.02× 1.0001.0200
Practice expense2.70× 0.9332.5191
Malpractice0.12× 0.6390.0767
Total RVUs3.6158
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$120.77

Office: (1.02 × 1 + 2.7 × 0.933 + 0.12 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $120.77

Facility: (1.02 × 1 + 0.59 × 0.933 + 0.12 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $55.02

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, North Carolina
Same family
51600Bladder injection, cystography or voiding studyRelated bladder contrast injection code; select according to the service documented.$194.56
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.$39.35

How 51610 has changed in North Carolina

51610 · Office / nonfacility

$120.77

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.93 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $115.84 to $120.77 (4.3%).

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

    $115.84changed to$120.77

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $120.53changed to$115.84

    • 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

    $118.56changed to$120.53

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $123.42changed to$118.56

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.70 changed to 2.69
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $127.13changed to$123.42

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $123.97changed to$127.13

    • 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

    $117.09changed to$123.97

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.60
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $109.46changed to$117.09

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $104.32changed to$109.46

    • 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

    $103.46changed to$104.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 1.91
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $102.94changed to$103.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.88 changed to 1.89
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $103.59changed to$102.94

    • 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

    $103.08changed to$103.59

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $101.47changed to$103.08

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $100.54changed to$101.47

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 1.84
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $100.54

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$120.77$55.02RVU26D
2026-07-01$120.77$55.02RVU26C
2026-04-01$120.77$55.02RVU26B
2026-01-01$120.77$55.02RVU26A
2025-10-01$115.84$59.82RVU25D
2025-07-01$115.84$59.82RVU25C
2025-04-01$115.84$59.82RVU25B
2025-01-01$115.84$59.82RVU25A
2024-10-01$120.53$60.42RVU24D
2024-07-01$120.53$60.42RVU24C
2024-04-01$120.53$60.42RVU24B
2024-03-09$120.53$60.42RVU24AR
2024-01-01$118.56$59.43RVU24A
2023-10-01$123.42$61.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$123.42$61.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$123.42$61.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$123.42$61.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$127.13$61.93RVU22D
2022-07-01$127.13$61.93RVU22C
2022-04-01$127.13$61.93RVU22B
2022-01-01$127.13$61.93RVU22A
2021-10-01$123.97$62.12RVU21D
2021-07-01$123.97$62.12RVU21C
2021-04-01$123.97$62.12RVU21B
2021-01-01$123.97$62.12RVU21A
2020-10-01$117.09$64.06RVU20D
2020-07-01$117.09$64.06RVU20C
2020-04-01$117.09$64.06RVU20B
2020-01-01$117.09$64.06RVU20A
2019-10-01$109.46$63.83RVU19D
2019-07-01$109.46$63.83RVU19C
2019-04-01$109.46$63.83RVU19B
2019-01-01$109.46$63.83RVU19A
2018-10-01$104.32$63.76RVU18D
2018-07-01$104.32$63.76RVU18C
2018-04-01$104.32$63.76RVU18B
2018-01-01$104.32$63.76RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$103.46$64.03RVU17D
2017-07-01$103.46$64.03RVU17C
2017-04-01$103.46$64.03RVU17B
2017-01-01$103.46$64.03RVU17A
2016-10-01$102.94$63.65RVU16D
2016-07-01$102.94$63.65RVU16C
2016-04-01$102.94$63.65RVU16B
2016-01-01$102.94$63.65RVU16A
2015-10-01$103.59$64.16RVU15D
2015-07-01$103.59$64.16RVU15C
2015-04-01$103.08$63.84RVU15B
2015-01-01$103.08$63.84RVU15A
2014-10-01$101.47$63.20RVU14D
2014-07-01$101.47$63.20RVU14C
2014-04-01$101.47$63.20RVU14B
2014-01-01$101.47$63.20RVU14A
2013-10-01$100.54$60.80RVU13D
2013-07-01$100.54$60.80RVU13C
2013-04-01$100.54$60.80RVU13B
2013-01-01$100.54$60.80RVU13AR

Price 51610 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

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 North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 51610 pays in North Carolina?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 51610 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist