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CPT code 51710: Tube change, complicated cystostomy exchange2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a complicated exchange of an established cystostomy tube, such as a suprapubic catheter, rather than routine tube replacement or new catheter insertion.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality16K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $159.81 for 51710 in the office and $80.33 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$159.81Office (non-facility)
$80.33Hospital or facility
+13.6%vs the national office rate ($140.62)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 51710 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 51710 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 51710 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 51710 covers

This service covers exchanging a tube through an established cystostomy tract, typically the suprapubic route into the bladder. A urologist or another qualified clinician may perform the exchange in an office or facility. The code distinguishes a complicated exchange from a routine change; it does not describe creating a new tract or inserting a temporary urethral catheter.

Report 51710 when the documented circumstances and work support a complicated exchange rather than the simple change represented by 51705. The note should identify the existing cystostomy, the reason the exchange was complicated, and the work performed. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 51710

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 51710 runs from $125.05 in Arkansas to $182.99 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $159.81. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51710 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$159.81
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$157.14−$2.67
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$153.02−$6.79
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$148.73−$11.08
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$161.48+$1.67
  6. Alaska · Alaska$166.02+$6.21
  7. Alabama · Alabama$126.80−$33.01

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

Every other payment area

51710 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$125.05$67.10
ArizonaArizona$136.98$71.61
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$147.96$74.01
Chico, CACalifornia$147.45$73.51
El Centro, CACalifornia$147.48$73.54
Fresno, CACalifornia$147.45$73.51
Hanford, CACalifornia$147.45$73.51
Madera, CACalifornia$147.45$73.51

51710 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.

$125.05

$166.02

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

View every state and territory as a table
51710 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$166.021
AL$126.801
AR$125.051
AZ$136.981
CA$147.45–$182.9929
CO$145.721
CT$149.691
DC$159.811
DE$139.171
FL$139.48–$153.023
GA$131.90–$143.342
GU$150.671
HI$150.671
IA$129.471
ID$130.361
IL$135.91–$148.734
IN$131.071
KS$129.081
KY$130.051
LA$129.93–$136.032
MA$144.99–$159.432
MD$141.68–$159.813
ME$131.20–$137.702
MI$133.45–$141.332
MN$139.261
MO$127.93–$136.273
MS$126.511
MT$140.611
NC$132.481
ND$137.241
NE$130.091
NH$143.631
NJ$151.29–$158.322
NM$134.221
NV$139.761
NY$134.39–$165.485
OH$132.761
OK$129.631
OR$138.57–$149.952
PA$132.86–$146.232
PR$141.531
RI$143.841
SC$132.861
SD$136.851
TN$129.721
TX$132.04–$145.338
UT$134.591
VA$137.40–$159.812
VI$141.531
VT$136.901
WA$144.65–$162.412
WI$132.871
WV$131.161
WY$139.141

See 51710 in every payment locality

How the 51710 rate is calculated

Each of 51710’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 · 51710

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.32

1.32 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.72

2.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.17

0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.2100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$140.62

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

6,050

Code
51710
Physician work
1.32
Practice expense
2.72
Malpractice
0.17

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 51710 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.32× 1.0541.3913
Practice expense2.72× 1.1783.2042
Malpractice0.17× 1.1130.1892
Total RVUs4.7847
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$159.81

Office: (1.32 × 1.054 + 2.72 × 1.178 + 0.17 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $159.81

Facility: (1.32 × 1.054 + 0.7 × 1.178 + 0.17 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $80.33

Open 51710 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 51710

The CMS indicators that decide how 51710 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 51710

Tube change, complicated cystostomy exchange

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

51710 without 51 · national office

$140.62

Tube change, complicated cystostomy exchange

51710-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$70.31

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 51710

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

Codes related to 51710
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
51705Catheter exchange, simple cystostomy tube changeSimple cystostomy tube change; use 51710 when the exchange is complicated.$115.31
Used instead
51702Bladder catheter, temporary indwelling placementTemporary bladder catheter insertion, not exchange through an established cystostomy tract.$74.94
51703Bladder catheter, complicated insertionComplex bladder catheter insertion, rather than cystostomy tube exchange.$175.44

How 51710 has changed in Washington, DC area

51710 · Office / nonfacility

$159.81

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.29 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $150.52 to $159.81 (6.2%).

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

    $150.52changed to$159.81

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.35 changed to 1.32
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17
    • 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

    $156.08changed to$150.52

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $153.54changed to$156.08

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $160.31changed to$153.54

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.54 changed to 2.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • 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

    $165.50changed to$160.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 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

    $164.24changed to$165.50

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.50 changed to 2.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $158.05changed to$164.24

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.50
    • 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

    $152.76changed to$158.05

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 2.27
    • 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

    $153.03changed to$152.76

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.19

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $151.46changed to$153.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.20
    • 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

    $150.44changed to$151.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.17
    • 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

    $150.98changed to$150.44

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $150.23changed to$150.98

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $146.81changed to$150.23

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 2.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $104.15changed to$146.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 2.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • 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: $104.15

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$159.81$80.33RVU26D
2026-07-01$159.81$80.33RVU26C
2026-04-01$159.81$80.33RVU26B
2026-01-01$159.81$80.33RVU26A
2025-10-01$150.52$86.52RVU25D
2025-07-01$150.52$86.52RVU25C
2025-04-01$150.52$86.52RVU25B
2025-01-01$150.52$86.52RVU25A
2024-10-01$156.08$88.63RVU24D
2024-07-01$156.08$88.63RVU24C
2024-04-01$156.08$88.63RVU24B
2024-03-09$156.08$88.63RVU24AR
2024-01-01$153.54$87.18RVU24A
2023-10-01$160.31$89.96RVU23D
2023-07-01$160.31$89.96RVU23C
2023-04-01$160.31$89.96RVU23B
2023-01-01$160.31$89.96RVU23A
2022-10-01$165.50$91.07RVU22D
2022-07-01$165.50$91.07RVU22C
2022-04-01$165.50$91.07RVU22B
2022-01-01$165.50$91.07RVU22A
2021-10-01$164.24$90.92RVU21D
2021-07-01$164.24$90.92RVU21C
2021-04-01$164.24$90.92RVU21B
2021-01-01$164.24$90.92RVU21A
2020-10-01$158.05$92.39RVU20D
2020-07-01$158.05$92.39RVU20C
2020-04-01$158.05$92.39RVU20B
2020-01-01$158.05$92.39RVU20A
2019-10-01$152.76$92.40RVU19D
2019-07-01$152.76$92.40RVU19C
2019-04-01$152.76$92.40RVU19B
2019-01-01$152.76$92.40RVU19A
2018-10-01$153.03$93.17RVU18D
2018-07-01$153.03$93.17RVU18C
2018-04-01$153.03$93.17RVU18B
2018-01-01$153.03$93.17RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$151.46$92.65RVU17D
2017-07-01$151.46$92.65RVU17C
2017-04-01$151.46$92.65RVU17B
2017-01-01$151.46$92.65RVU17A
2016-10-01$150.44$92.19RVU16D
2016-07-01$150.44$92.19RVU16C
2016-04-01$150.44$92.19RVU16B
2016-01-01$150.44$92.19RVU16A
2015-10-01$150.98$92.52RVU15D
2015-07-01$150.98$92.52RVU15C
2015-04-01$150.23$92.06RVU15B
2015-01-01$150.23$92.06RVU15A
2014-10-01$146.81$89.54RVU14D
2014-07-01$146.81$89.54RVU14C
2014-04-01$146.81$89.54RVU14B
2014-01-01$146.81$89.54RVU14A
2013-10-01$104.15$87.44RVU13D
2013-07-01$104.15$87.44RVU13C
2013-04-01$104.15$87.44RVU13B
2013-01-01$104.15$87.44RVU13AR

Price 51710 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

51710 billing questions

When should 51710 be chosen over 51705?

Use 51710 when the cystostomy tube exchange is complicated, as supported by the documented circumstances and work. A routine simple tube change is reported with 51705.

Does 51710 describe placement of a new catheter?

No. It describes changing a tube through an established cystostomy tract. Temporary urethral catheter insertion is a different service.

What documentation supports reporting the complicated service?

Document the established cystostomy, why the exchange was complicated, and the work performed. The note should make clear why the service was not a routine simple change.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral tube changes?

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

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

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

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 51710PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,050 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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