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CPT code 51710: Tube change, complicated cystostomy exchange2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia

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 Virginia, Medicare pays $137.40 for 51710 in the office and $71.08 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$137.40Office (non-facility)
$71.08Hospital or facility
−2.3%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 Virginia
  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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $137.40. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51710 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$137.40
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$157.14+$19.74
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$159.81+$22.41
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$153.02+$15.62
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$148.73+$11.33
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$161.48+$24.08
  7. Alaska · Alaska$166.02+$28.62

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

Every other payment area

51710 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$126.80$67.76
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

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 Virginia 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

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 51710 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.32× 1.0001.3200
Practice expense2.72× 0.9832.6738
Malpractice0.17× 0.7060.1200
Total RVUs4.1138
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$137.40

Office: (1.32 × 1 + 2.72 × 0.983 + 0.17 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $137.40

Facility: (1.32 × 1 + 0.7 × 0.983 + 0.17 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $71.08

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, Virginia
Same family
51705Catheter exchange, simple cystostomy tube changeSimple cystostomy tube change; use 51710 when the exchange is complicated.$98.87
Used instead
51702Bladder catheter, temporary indwelling placementTemporary bladder catheter insertion, not exchange through an established cystostomy tract.$63.98
51703Bladder catheter, complicated insertionComplex bladder catheter insertion, rather than cystostomy tube exchange.$150.74

How 51710 has changed in Virginia

51710 · Office / nonfacility

$137.40

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.57 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $128.83 to $137.40 (6.7%).

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

    $128.83changed to$137.40

    • 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 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $133.48changed to$128.83

    • 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

    $131.30changed to$133.48

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $136.00changed to$131.30

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $139.46changed to$136.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $138.60changed to$139.46

    • 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

    $134.80changed to$138.60

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.50
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $131.38changed to$134.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 2.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $131.59changed to$131.38

    • 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

    $129.82changed to$131.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.20
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $128.43changed to$129.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $128.90changed to$128.43

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $128.25changed to$128.90

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $125.85changed to$128.25

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $90.80changed to$125.85

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $90.80

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$137.40$71.08RVU26D
2026-07-01$137.40$71.08RVU26C
2026-04-01$137.40$71.08RVU26B
2026-01-01$137.40$71.08RVU26A
2025-10-01$128.83$75.99RVU25D
2025-07-01$128.83$75.99RVU25C
2025-04-01$128.83$75.99RVU25B
2025-01-01$128.83$75.99RVU25A
2024-10-01$133.48$77.80RVU24D
2024-07-01$133.48$77.80RVU24C
2024-04-01$133.48$77.80RVU24B
2024-03-09$133.48$77.80RVU24AR
2024-01-01$131.30$76.53RVU24A
2023-10-01$136.00$78.63RVU23D
2023-07-01$136.00$78.63RVU23C
2023-04-01$136.00$78.63RVU23B
2023-01-01$136.00$78.63RVU23A
2022-10-01$139.46$79.54RVU22D
2022-07-01$139.46$79.54RVU22C
2022-04-01$139.46$79.54RVU22B
2022-01-01$139.46$79.54RVU22A
2021-10-01$138.60$79.58RVU21D
2021-07-01$138.60$79.58RVU21C
2021-04-01$138.60$79.58RVU21B
2021-01-01$138.60$79.58RVU21A
2020-10-01$134.80$81.51RVU20D
2020-07-01$134.80$81.51RVU20C
2020-04-01$134.80$81.51RVU20B
2020-01-01$134.80$81.51RVU20A
2019-10-01$131.38$81.99RVU19D
2019-07-01$131.38$81.99RVU19C
2019-04-01$131.38$81.99RVU19B
2019-01-01$131.38$81.99RVU19A
2018-10-01$131.59$82.61RVU18D
2018-07-01$131.59$82.61RVU18C
2018-04-01$131.59$82.61RVU18B
2018-01-01$131.59$82.61RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$129.82$81.75RVU17D
2017-07-01$129.82$81.75RVU17C
2017-04-01$129.82$81.75RVU17B
2017-01-01$129.82$81.75RVU17A
2016-10-01$128.43$80.92RVU16D
2016-07-01$128.43$80.92RVU16C
2016-04-01$128.43$80.92RVU16B
2016-01-01$128.43$80.92RVU16A
2015-10-01$128.90$81.21RVU15D
2015-07-01$128.90$81.21RVU15C
2015-04-01$128.25$80.81RVU15B
2015-01-01$128.25$80.81RVU15A
2014-10-01$125.85$79.16RVU14D
2014-07-01$125.85$79.16RVU14C
2014-04-01$125.85$79.16RVU14B
2014-01-01$125.85$79.16RVU14A
2013-10-01$90.80$77.17RVU13D
2013-07-01$90.80$77.17RVU13C
2013-04-01$90.80$77.17RVU13B
2013-01-01$90.80$77.17RVU13AR

Price 51710 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

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 VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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