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CPT code 51701: Bladder catheterization, in-and-out catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports temporary straight catheterization to drain the bladder, obtain urine, or assess residual urine when catheter-based measurement is performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality130.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $51.33 for 51701 in the office and $23.79 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$51.33Office (non-facility)
$23.79Hospital or facility
+13.0%vs the national office rate ($45.43)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 51701 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 51701 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 51701 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 51701 covers

A straight catheter is passed through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine and then removed. Common situations include obtaining a urine specimen when a clean-catch sample is not feasible and measuring postvoid residual urine by drainage. Urologists and other clinicians use this service in office, emergency, and facility settings.

Choose this code for temporary in-and-out catheterization, rather than placement of a catheter intended to remain in the bladder or a technically difficult insertion. Document the clinical reason, that the catheter was removed after drainage, and the specimen or urine-volume result when relevant. The service has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this single-bladder service. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons and team surgery 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 51701

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 51701 runs from $40.52 in Arkansas to $57.95 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $51.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51701 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$51.33
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$50.20−$1.13
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$50.10−$1.23
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$48.70−$2.63
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$52.17+$0.84
  6. Alaska · Alaska$54.30+$2.97
  7. Alabama · Alabama$41.07−$10.26

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

Every other payment area

51701 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$40.52$20.44
ArizonaArizona$44.26$21.60
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$47.39$21.76
Chico, CACalifornia$47.18$21.56
El Centro, CACalifornia$47.20$21.57
Fresno, CACalifornia$47.18$21.56
Hanford, CACalifornia$47.18$21.56
Madera, CACalifornia$47.18$21.56

51701 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.

$40.52

$54.30

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

View every state and territory as a table
51701 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$54.301
AL$41.071
AR$40.521
AZ$44.261
CA$47.18–$57.9529
CO$46.821
CT$48.301
DC$51.331
DE$44.951
FL$45.43–$50.103
GA$42.99–$46.372
GU$48.101
HI$48.101
IA$41.741
ID$42.061
IL$44.42–$48.704
IN$42.271
KS$41.701
KY$42.261
LA$42.25–$44.172
MA$46.63–$51.022
MD$45.72–$51.333
ME$42.40–$44.322
MI$43.40–$46.092
MN$44.551
MO$41.68–$44.153
MS$41.101
MT$45.421
NC$42.791
ND$44.041
NE$41.911
NH$46.231
NJ$48.76–$50.892
NM$43.681
NV$45.061
NY$43.39–$53.535
OH$43.121
OK$42.041
OR$44.62–$48.052
PA$43.11–$47.272
PR$45.681
RI$46.371
SC$43.041
SD$43.871
TN$41.911
TX$42.85–$46.748
UT$43.581
VA$44.28–$51.332
VI$45.681
VT$44.001
WA$46.50–$51.882
WI$42.691
WV$42.931
WY$44.821

See 51701 in every payment locality

How the 51701 rate is calculated

Each of 51701’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 · 51701

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.49

0.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.80

0.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.07

0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.3600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$45.43

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

6,046

Code
51701
Physician work
0.49
Practice expense
0.80
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 51701 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.49× 1.0540.5165
Practice expense0.80× 1.1780.9424
Malpractice0.07× 1.1130.0779
Total RVUs1.5368
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$51.33

Office: (0.49 × 1.054 + 0.8 × 1.178 + 0.07 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $51.33

Facility: (0.49 × 1.054 + 0.1 × 1.178 + 0.07 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $23.79

Open 51701 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 51701

The CMS indicators that decide how 51701 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 51701

Bladder catheterization, in-and-out catheter

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

51701 without 51 · national office

$45.43

Bladder catheterization, in-and-out catheter

51701-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$22.72

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 51701

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

Codes related to 51701
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
51702Bladder catheter, temporary indwelling placementSibling code for temporary indwelling catheter placement rather than in-and-out catheterization.$74.94
51703Bladder catheter, complicated insertionSibling code for catheter insertion documented as complex.$175.44
Used instead
51798Bladder scan, post-void residual or bladder capacityNoninvasive ultrasound measurement may be used to assess bladder volume or residual urine.$14.91

How 51701 has changed in Washington, DC area

51701 · Office / nonfacility

$51.33

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $48.67 to $51.33 (5.5%).

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

    $48.67changed to$51.33

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.50 changed to 0.49
    • Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • 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

    $50.87changed to$48.67

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $50.04changed to$50.87

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $52.08changed to$50.04

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.77
    • 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

    $53.90changed to$52.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.75 changed to 0.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • 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

    $54.74changed to$53.90

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.78 changed to 0.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $53.46changed to$54.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
    • 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

    $52.37changed to$53.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.08
    • 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

    $55.80changed to$52.37

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $55.71changed to$55.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • 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

    $64.28changed to$55.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.79
    • 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

    $64.05changed to$64.28

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $63.73changed to$64.05

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $63.16changed to$63.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 0.99
    • 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

    $63.38changed to$63.16

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.07 changed to 0.98
    • 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: $63.38

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$51.33$23.79RVU26D
2026-07-01$51.33$23.79RVU26C
2026-04-01$51.33$23.79RVU26B
2026-01-01$51.33$23.79RVU26A
2025-10-01$48.67$26.69RVU25D
2025-07-01$48.67$26.69RVU25C
2025-04-01$48.67$26.69RVU25B
2025-01-01$48.67$26.69RVU25A
2024-10-01$50.87$27.85RVU24D
2024-07-01$50.87$27.85RVU24C
2024-04-01$50.87$27.85RVU24B
2024-03-09$50.87$27.85RVU24AR
2024-01-01$50.04$27.40RVU24A
2023-10-01$52.08$28.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$52.08$28.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$52.08$28.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$52.08$28.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$53.90$29.52RVU22D
2022-07-01$53.90$29.52RVU22C
2022-04-01$53.90$29.52RVU22B
2022-01-01$53.90$29.52RVU22A
2021-10-01$54.74$28.86RVU21D
2021-07-01$54.74$28.86RVU21C
2021-04-01$54.74$28.86RVU21B
2021-01-01$54.74$28.86RVU21A
2020-10-01$53.46$30.55RVU20D
2020-07-01$53.46$30.55RVU20C
2020-04-01$53.46$30.55RVU20B
2020-01-01$53.46$30.55RVU20A
2019-10-01$52.37$28.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$52.37$28.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$52.37$28.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$52.37$28.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$55.80$29.34RVU18D
2018-07-01$55.80$29.34RVU18C
2018-04-01$55.80$29.34RVU18B
2018-01-01$55.80$29.34RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$55.71$29.33RVU17D
2017-07-01$55.71$29.33RVU17C
2017-04-01$55.71$29.33RVU17B
2017-01-01$55.71$29.33RVU17A
2016-10-01$64.28$31.92RVU16D
2016-07-01$64.28$31.92RVU16C
2016-04-01$64.28$31.92RVU16B
2016-01-01$64.28$31.92RVU16A
2015-10-01$64.05$31.57RVU15D
2015-07-01$64.05$31.57RVU15C
2015-04-01$63.73$31.42RVU15B
2015-01-01$63.73$31.42RVU15A
2014-10-01$63.16$31.30RVU14D
2014-07-01$63.16$31.30RVU14C
2014-04-01$63.16$31.30RVU14B
2014-01-01$63.16$31.30RVU14A
2013-10-01$63.38$29.96RVU13D
2013-07-01$63.38$29.96RVU13C
2013-04-01$63.38$29.96RVU13B
2013-01-01$63.38$29.96RVU13AR

Price 51701 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

51701 billing questions

How does this differ from 51702?

This code describes a catheter that is removed after drainage. Use 51702 when a temporary indwelling catheter is placed to remain in the bladder.

When is 51703 more appropriate?

51703 is for a complex catheter insertion. Do not select it solely because the patient has urinary retention; the documentation must support the complexity of the insertion.

Can this code be used to measure postvoid residual?

Yes, when residual urine is assessed by catheter drainage. For a noninvasive ultrasound measurement of bladder volume, compare 51798.

Should modifier 50 be appended for a catheterization?

No. The bladder is a single organ for this service, and bilateral adjustment is not appropriate.

What should the record show?

Document the indication, temporary catheter placement and removal, and the urine specimen or drained volume when applicable. These details distinguish in-and-out catheterization from indwelling placement.

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 51701PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,046 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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