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CPT code 51703: Bladder catheter, complicated insertion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report this service for difficult placement of a temporary indwelling bladder catheter, such as when obstruction or altered anatomy complicates insertion.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality50.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $175.44 for 51703 in the office and $73.14 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$175.44Office (non-facility)
$73.14Hospital or facility
+13.7%vs the national office rate ($154.31)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 51703 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 51703 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 51703 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 51703 covers

This service covers placement of a temporary indwelling catheter when insertion is complicated, rather than routine catheterization. Situations may include urethral obstruction, stricture, or altered anatomy from prior surgery. Urologists and other qualified clinicians may perform it in an office, emergency department, or hospital when a standard catheter placement is difficult. The documentation should explain the reason for difficulty and the work involved in achieving placement.

Report the complicated insertion instead of a simple catheter-placement code when the documented circumstances support the added complexity. The code 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 the others are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and 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 51703

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 51703 runs from $137.11 in Arkansas to $200.91 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $175.44. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51703 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$175.44
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$172.48−$2.96
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$168.12−$7.32
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$163.37−$12.07
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$177.32+$1.88
  6. Alaska · Alaska$181.86+$6.42
  7. Alabama · Alabama$139.03−$36.41

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

Every other payment area

51703 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$137.11$62.51
ArizonaArizona$150.29$66.14
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$162.36$67.18
Chico, CACalifornia$161.80$66.62
El Centro, CACalifornia$161.83$66.65
Fresno, CACalifornia$161.80$66.62
Hanford, CACalifornia$161.80$66.62
Madera, CACalifornia$161.80$66.62

51703 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.

$137.11

$181.86

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

View every state and territory as a table
51703 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$181.861
AL$139.031
AR$137.111
AZ$150.291
CA$161.80–$200.9129
CO$159.911
CT$164.321
DC$175.441
DE$152.711
FL$153.10–$168.123
GA$144.71–$157.332
GU$165.371
HI$165.371
IA$141.971
ID$142.951
IL$149.17–$163.374
IN$143.741
KS$141.541
KY$142.651
LA$142.52–$149.262
MA$159.10–$175.012
MD$155.47–$175.443
ME$143.90–$151.072
MI$146.41–$155.162
MN$152.751
MO$140.32–$149.523
MS$138.731
MT$154.301
NC$145.311
ND$150.541
NE$142.651
NH$157.631
NJ$166.06–$173.792
NM$147.271
NV$153.351
NY$147.42–$181.755
OH$145.651
OK$142.181
OR$152.03–$164.572
PA$145.75–$160.512
PR$155.321
RI$157.841
SC$145.741
SD$150.101
TN$142.261
TX$144.84–$159.508
UT$147.651
VA$150.74–$175.442
VI$155.321
VT$150.181
WA$158.73–$178.282
WI$145.711
WV$143.921
WY$152.661

See 51703 in every payment locality

How the 51703 rate is calculated

Each of 51703’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 · 51703

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.43

1.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.00

3.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.19

0.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.6200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$154.31

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

6,048

Code
51703
Physician work
1.43
Practice expense
3.00
Malpractice
0.19

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 51703 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.43× 1.0541.5072
Practice expense3.00× 1.1783.5340
Malpractice0.19× 1.1130.2115
Total RVUs5.2527
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$175.44

Office: (1.43 × 1.054 + 3 × 1.178 + 0.19 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $175.44

Facility: (1.43 × 1.054 + 0.4 × 1.178 + 0.19 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $73.14

Open 51703 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 51703

The CMS indicators that decide how 51703 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 51703

Bladder catheter, complicated insertion

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

51703 without 51 · national office

$154.31

Bladder catheter, complicated insertion

51703-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$77.16

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 51703

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

Codes related to 51703
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
51701Bladder catheterization, in-and-out catheterSimple non-indwelling catheter insertion, including straight catheterization.$51.33
51702Bladder catheter, temporary indwelling placementSimple placement of a temporary indwelling bladder catheter.$74.94
51705Catheter exchange, simple cystostomy tube changeSimple change of an existing cystostomy tube rather than new urethral catheter placement.$115.31
51710Tube change, complicated cystostomy exchangeComplicated change of an existing cystostomy tube, not initial urethral catheter placement.$159.81

How 51703 has changed in Washington, DC area

51703 · Office / nonfacility

$175.44

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.18 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $164.26 to $175.44 (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

    $164.26changed to$175.44

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.47 changed to 1.43
    • Practice expense RVU 2.79 changed to 3.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $171.41changed to$164.26

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.84 changed to 2.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $168.61changed to$171.41

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $176.54changed to$168.61

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.83 changed to 2.84
    • 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

    $183.60changed to$176.54

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.84 changed to 2.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18
    • 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

    $179.48changed to$183.60

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.73 changed to 2.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.19

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $166.62changed to$179.48

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.33 changed to 2.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • 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

    $156.00changed to$166.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.18
    • 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

    $148.89changed to$156.00

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.15

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $146.05changed to$148.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.93 changed to 1.99
    • 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

    $151.09changed to$146.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.05 changed to 1.93
    • 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

    $151.64changed to$151.09

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $150.89changed to$151.64

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $147.88changed to$150.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.02 changed to 2.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.16
    • 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

    $147.11changed to$147.88

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 2.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • 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: $147.11

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$175.44$73.14RVU26D
2026-07-01$175.44$73.14RVU26C
2026-04-01$175.44$73.14RVU26B
2026-01-01$175.44$73.14RVU26A
2025-10-01$164.26$80.97RVU25D
2025-07-01$164.26$80.97RVU25C
2025-04-01$164.26$80.97RVU25B
2025-01-01$164.26$80.97RVU25A
2024-10-01$171.41$82.92RVU24D
2024-07-01$171.41$82.92RVU24C
2024-04-01$171.41$82.92RVU24B
2024-03-09$171.41$82.92RVU24AR
2024-01-01$168.61$81.57RVU24A
2023-10-01$176.54$84.80RVU23D
2023-07-01$176.54$84.80RVU23C
2023-04-01$176.54$84.80RVU23B
2023-01-01$176.54$84.80RVU23A
2022-10-01$183.60$86.93RVU22D
2022-07-01$183.60$86.93RVU22C
2022-04-01$183.60$86.93RVU22B
2022-01-01$183.60$86.93RVU22A
2021-10-01$179.48$86.75RVU21D
2021-07-01$179.48$86.75RVU21C
2021-04-01$179.48$86.75RVU21B
2021-01-01$179.48$86.75RVU21A
2020-10-01$166.62$89.50RVU20D
2020-07-01$166.62$89.50RVU20C
2020-04-01$166.62$89.50RVU20B
2020-01-01$166.62$89.50RVU20A
2019-10-01$156.00$88.69RVU19D
2019-07-01$156.00$88.69RVU19C
2019-04-01$156.00$88.69RVU19B
2019-01-01$156.00$88.69RVU19A
2018-10-01$148.89$88.59RVU18D
2018-07-01$148.89$88.59RVU18C
2018-04-01$148.89$88.59RVU18B
2018-01-01$148.89$88.59RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$146.05$88.10RVU17D
2017-07-01$146.05$88.10RVU17C
2017-04-01$146.05$88.10RVU17B
2017-01-01$146.05$88.10RVU17A
2016-10-01$151.09$93.28RVU16D
2016-07-01$151.09$93.28RVU16C
2016-04-01$151.09$93.28RVU16B
2016-01-01$151.09$93.28RVU16A
2015-10-01$151.64$93.62RVU15D
2015-07-01$151.64$93.62RVU15C
2015-04-01$150.89$93.15RVU15B
2015-01-01$150.89$93.15RVU15A
2014-10-01$147.88$91.48RVU14D
2014-07-01$147.88$91.48RVU14C
2014-04-01$147.88$91.48RVU14B
2014-01-01$147.88$91.48RVU14A
2013-10-01$147.11$88.01RVU13D
2013-07-01$147.11$88.01RVU13C
2013-04-01$147.11$88.01RVU13B
2013-01-01$147.11$88.01RVU13AR

Price 51703 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

51703 billing questions

What distinguishes this service from routine Foley placement?

The insertion must be complicated, for example by obstruction or altered anatomy. Routine temporary indwelling catheter placement is reported with 51702.

When is 51701 a better choice?

Use 51701 for simple insertion of a non-indwelling catheter, such as straight catheterization to obtain residual urine. This code describes complicated placement of a temporary indwelling catheter.

What documentation supports complicated insertion?

Document the reason ordinary placement was difficult, such as obstruction or altered anatomy, and the circumstances and work involved in catheter placement.

Can modifier 50 be reported?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect payment?

For procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

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 51703PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,048 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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