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CPT code 51700: Bladder irrigation, simple lavage or instillation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Report simple bladder irrigation when a clinician lavages the bladder or instills fluid, such as to clear clots through a urinary catheter.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality173.3K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $73.55 for 51700 in the office and $24.94 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$73.55Office (non-facility)
$24.94Hospital or facility
−5.9%vs the national office rate ($78.16)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 51700 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 51700 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 51700 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 51700 covers

This service involves flushing the bladder with fluid or instilling fluid through a urinary catheter. A urologist or another clinician may perform it in an office or facility to clear blood clots or debris, or to address a catheter that is not draining because of material in the bladder. The work is irrigation itself, rather than catheter placement alone.

Document the reason for irrigation, the method or catheter used, and the service performed, including the material flushed or instilled and the patient’s response when relevant. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When it is performed in the same session as other procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 51700

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 51700 runs from $69.11 in Arkansas to $104.04 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $73.55. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51700 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$73.55
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$88.45+$14.90
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$89.47+$15.92
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$84.03+$10.48
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$81.60+$8.05
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$89.88+$16.33
  7. Alaska · Alaska$90.61+$17.06

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

Every other payment area

51700 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$70.13$24.54
ArkansasArkansas$69.11$24.35
ArizonaArizona$76.08$25.59
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$83.01$25.90
Chico, CACalifornia$82.80$25.69
El Centro, CACalifornia$82.81$25.70
Fresno, CACalifornia$82.80$25.69
Hanford, CACalifornia$82.80$25.69

51700 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.

$69.11

$93.42

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

View every state and territory as a table
51700 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$90.611
AL$70.131
AR$69.111
AZ$76.081
CA$82.80–$104.0429
CO$81.471
CT$83.361
DC$89.471
DE$77.351
FL$76.87–$84.033
GA$72.55–$79.582
GU$84.861
HI$84.861
IA$71.981
ID$72.441
IL$74.59–$81.624
IN$72.861
KS$71.611
KY$71.731
LA$71.61–$75.172
MA$80.97–$89.592
MD$78.84–$89.473
ME$72.79–$76.792
MI$73.58–$77.802
MN$78.141
MO$70.35–$75.473
MS$69.751
MT$78.151
NC$73.551
ND$76.771
NE$72.381
NH$80.171
NJ$84.34–$88.542
NM$73.971
NV$77.821
NY$74.66–$92.035
OH$73.291
OK$71.631
OR$77.24–$84.102
PA$73.43–$81.262
PR$78.741
RI$80.131
SC$73.541
SD$76.611
TN$71.971
TX$72.94–$81.198
UT$74.551
VA$76.52–$89.472
VI$78.741
VT$76.441
WA$80.83–$91.452
WI$74.181
WV$71.811
WY$77.551

See 51700 in every payment locality

How the 51700 rate is calculated

Each of 51700’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 · 51700

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.59

0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.68

1.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.07

0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.3400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$78.16

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

6,045

Code
51700
Physician work
0.59
Practice expense
1.68
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 51700 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.59× 1.0000.5900
Practice expense1.68× 0.9331.5674
Malpractice0.07× 0.6390.0447
Total RVUs2.2022
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$73.55

Office: (0.59 × 1 + 1.68 × 0.933 + 0.07 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $73.55

Facility: (0.59 × 1 + 0.12 × 0.933 + 0.07 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $24.94

Open 51700 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 51700

The CMS indicators that decide how 51700 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 51700

Bladder irrigation, simple lavage or instillation

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

51700 without 51 · national office

$78.16

Bladder irrigation, simple lavage or instillation

51700-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$39.08

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 51700

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

Codes related to 51700
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Used instead
51701Bladder catheterization, in-and-out catheterUse for non-indwelling catheter insertion when placement, rather than bladder irrigation, is the service.$42.79
51702Bladder catheter, temporary indwelling placementUse for temporary indwelling catheter insertion when placement is the documented service.$61.49
51703Bladder catheter, complicated insertionUse for complex catheter insertion rather than simple bladder lavage.$145.31
51720Bladder instillation, antineoplastic agentDistinguish therapeutic bladder treatment instillation from simple lavage or irrigation.$86.52

How 51700 has changed in North Carolina

51700 · Office / nonfacility

$73.55

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.71 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $68.84 to $73.55 (6.8%).

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

    $68.84changed to$73.55

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense RVU 1.60 changed to 1.68
    • 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

    $71.68changed to$68.84

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.62 changed to 1.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $70.51changed to$71.68

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $72.61changed to$70.51

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.60 changed to 1.62
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $74.70changed to$72.61

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • 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

    $76.29changed to$74.70

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.60

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $72.78changed to$76.29

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.63
    • 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

    $72.11changed to$72.78

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.46 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.09
    • 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

    $71.70changed to$72.11

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.46

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $70.22changed to$71.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.41 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $80.21changed to$70.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 0.88 changed to 0.60
    • Practice expense RVU 1.38 changed to 1.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.06
    • 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

    $80.50changed to$80.21

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $80.10changed to$80.50

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $78.88changed to$80.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.36 changed to 1.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
    • 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

    $78.51changed to$78.88

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.48 changed to 1.36
    • 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: $78.51

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$73.55$24.94RVU26D
2026-07-01$73.55$24.94RVU26C
2026-04-01$73.55$24.94RVU26B
2026-01-01$73.55$24.94RVU26A
2025-10-01$68.84$27.50RVU25D
2025-07-01$68.84$27.50RVU25C
2025-04-01$68.84$27.50RVU25B
2025-01-01$68.84$27.50RVU25A
2024-10-01$71.68$28.22RVU24D
2024-07-01$71.68$28.22RVU24C
2024-04-01$71.68$28.22RVU24B
2024-03-09$71.68$28.22RVU24AR
2024-01-01$70.51$27.76RVU24A
2023-10-01$72.61$28.94RVU23D
2023-07-01$72.61$28.94RVU23C
2023-04-01$72.61$28.94RVU23B
2023-01-01$72.61$28.94RVU23A
2022-10-01$74.70$30.06RVU22D
2022-07-01$74.70$30.06RVU22C
2022-04-01$74.70$30.06RVU22B
2022-01-01$74.70$30.06RVU22A
2021-10-01$76.29$30.31RVU21D
2021-07-01$76.29$30.31RVU21C
2021-04-01$76.29$30.31RVU21B
2021-01-01$76.29$30.31RVU21A
2020-10-01$72.78$31.16RVU20D
2020-07-01$72.78$31.16RVU20C
2020-04-01$72.78$31.16RVU20B
2020-01-01$72.78$31.16RVU20A
2019-10-01$72.11$30.17RVU19D
2019-07-01$72.11$30.17RVU19C
2019-04-01$72.11$30.17RVU19B
2019-01-01$72.11$30.17RVU19A
2018-10-01$71.70$30.47RVU18D
2018-07-01$71.70$30.47RVU18C
2018-04-01$71.70$30.47RVU18B
2018-01-01$71.70$30.47RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$70.22$35.81RVU17D
2017-07-01$70.22$35.81RVU17C
2017-04-01$70.22$35.81RVU17B
2017-01-01$70.22$35.81RVU17A
2016-10-01$80.21$44.58RVU16D
2016-07-01$80.21$44.58RVU16C
2016-04-01$80.21$44.58RVU16B
2016-01-01$80.21$44.58RVU16A
2015-10-01$80.50$44.74RVU15D
2015-07-01$80.50$44.74RVU15C
2015-04-01$80.10$44.52RVU15B
2015-01-01$80.10$44.52RVU15A
2014-10-01$78.88$43.94RVU14D
2014-07-01$78.88$43.94RVU14C
2014-04-01$78.88$43.94RVU14B
2014-01-01$78.88$43.94RVU14A
2013-10-01$78.51$41.92RVU13D
2013-07-01$78.51$41.92RVU13C
2013-04-01$78.51$41.92RVU13B
2013-01-01$78.51$41.92RVU13AR

Price 51700 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

51700 billing questions

How is irrigation different from bladder catheter insertion?

Irrigation describes flushing or instilling fluid in the bladder; catheter insertion codes describe placing a catheter. Choose based on the service documented, not simply on the presence of a catheter.

Can catheter insertion be reported with irrigation?

The irrigation service does not by itself describe catheter insertion. If both services were performed, document each distinctly and verify that reporting both is supported by applicable coding edits.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for irrigation of both sides?

No. The bladder is not a paired structure for this service, and CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate.

What same-session payment rule applies?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures performed in the same session are paid at 50%.

Are assistant, co-surgeon, or team-surgery modifiers payable?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What documentation supports the service?

Record the clinical reason for irrigation, the catheter or method used, what was flushed or instilled, and the patient’s response when relevant.

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 51700PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,045 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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