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CPT code 51720: Bladder instillation, antineoplastic agent2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Report this service when a clinician delivers an antineoplastic agent into the bladder through a catheter for intravesical treatment, such as BCG therapy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality159.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $93.04 for 51720 in the office and $39.64 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$93.04Office (non-facility)
$39.64Hospital or facility
+1.3%vs the national office rate ($91.85)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 51720 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 51720 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 51720 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 51720 covers

A urologist or other qualified clinician places a catheter and delivers an antineoplastic agent into the bladder, commonly in an office or outpatient setting. Intravesical BCG and chemotherapy are typical treatments for bladder cancer, including treatment after tumor resection or for carcinoma in situ. The service covers the drug’s delivery and retention in the bladder; it is distinct from endoscopic biopsy, lesion destruction, or simple bladder irrigation.

Select 51720 for the therapeutic instillation, not for catheter placement alone. Document the agent and administration details, including the retention instructions when available. The drug may be reported separately with the applicable drug code; catheter placement integral to the instillation is not separately reported as 51701. The 0-day global includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. 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. 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 Houston, TX compares for 51720

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 51720 runs from $81.64 in Arkansas to $119.70 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $93.04. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

51720 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$93.04
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$94.96+$1.92
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$86.21−$6.83
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$90.73−$2.31
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$91.35−$1.69
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$90.80−$2.24
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$91.03−$2.01

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

Every other payment area

51720 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$88.45$37.41
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$102.72$39.11
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$104.44$41.10
Miami, FLFlorida$99.92$43.94
Chicago, ILIllinois$97.11$43.06
Manhattan, NYNew York$105.51$43.02
AlaskaAlaska$108.28$51.01
AlabamaAlabama$82.78$35.73

51720 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.

$81.64

$108.28

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

View every state and territory as a table
51720 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$108.281
AL$82.781
AR$81.641
AZ$89.471
CA$96.37–$119.7029
CO$95.211
CT$97.801
DC$104.441
DE$90.911
FL$91.07–$99.923
GA$86.10–$93.632
GU$98.501
HI$98.501
IA$84.561
ID$85.131
IL$88.72–$97.114
IN$85.601
KS$84.291
KY$84.901
LA$84.82–$88.822
MA$94.73–$104.212
MD$92.55–$104.443
ME$85.68–$89.962
MI$87.12–$92.282
MN$91.001
MO$83.51–$88.993
MS$82.581
MT$91.851
NC$86.521
ND$89.671
NE$84.961
NH$93.841
NJ$98.84–$103.462
NM$87.631
NV$91.301
NY$87.77–$108.125
OH$86.681
OK$84.641
OR$90.52–$98.002
PA$86.75–$95.522
PR$92.461
RI$93.971
SC$86.761
SD$89.411
TN$84.711
TX$86.21–$94.968
UT$87.891
VA$89.76–$104.442
VI$92.461
VT$89.441
WA$94.51–$106.172
WI$86.801
WV$85.601
WY$90.901

See 51720 in every payment locality

How the 51720 rate is calculated

Each of 51720’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 · 51720

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.85

0.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.79

1.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.11

0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.7500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$91.85

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,052

Code
51720
Physician work
0.85
Practice expense
1.79
Malpractice
0.11

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 51720 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.85× 1.0080.8568
Practice expense1.79× 0.9931.7775
Malpractice0.11× 1.3760.1514
Total RVUs2.7856
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$93.04

Office: (0.85 × 1.008 + 1.79 × 0.993 + 0.11 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $93.04

Facility: (0.85 × 1.008 + 0.18 × 0.993 + 0.11 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $39.64

Open 51720 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 51720

The CMS indicators that decide how 51720 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 51720

Bladder instillation, antineoplastic agent

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

51720 without 51 · national office

$91.85

Bladder instillation, antineoplastic agent

51720-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$45.93

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 51720

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

Codes related to 51720
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Often billed with
J9030Intravesical BCG, per 1 mgDrug code for intravesical BCG when that agent is administered.No office rate
J9201Gemcitabine injection, per 200 mgDrug code for gemcitabine when used for the bladder instillation.No office rate
J9280Mitomycin injection, per 5 mgDrug code for mitomycin when used for the bladder instillation.No office rate
Used instead
52224Bladder lesion treatment, lesions under 0.5 cmEndoscopic treatment of a small bladder lesion rather than intravesical drug delivery.$763.13

How 51720 has changed in Houston, TX

51720 · Office / nonfacility

$93.04

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.53 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $88.51 to $93.04 (5.1%).

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

    $88.51changed to$93.04

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.87 changed to 0.85
    • Practice expense RVU 1.68 changed to 1.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $90.62changed to$88.51

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $89.14changed to$90.62

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $90.93changed to$89.14

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.64 changed to 1.68
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $91.87changed to$90.93

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.62 changed to 1.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $93.35changed to$91.87

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.64 changed to 1.62

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $87.47changed to$93.35

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.42 changed to 1.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $87.54changed to$87.47

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.44 changed to 1.42
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $87.80changed to$87.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.44

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $91.03changed to$87.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.55 changed to 1.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $112.07changed to$91.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 1.50 changed to 0.87
    • Practice expense RVU 1.44 changed to 1.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $112.47changed to$112.07

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $111.91changed to$112.47

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $109.93changed to$111.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.42 changed to 1.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $107.71changed to$109.93

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.52 changed to 1.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $107.71

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$93.04$39.64RVU26D
2026-07-01$93.04$39.64RVU26C
2026-04-01$93.04$39.64RVU26B
2026-01-01$93.04$39.64RVU26A
2025-10-01$88.51$44.39RVU25D
2025-07-01$88.51$44.39RVU25C
2025-04-01$88.51$44.39RVU25B
2025-01-01$88.51$44.39RVU25A
2024-10-01$90.62$44.87RVU24D
2024-07-01$90.62$44.87RVU24C
2024-04-01$90.62$44.87RVU24B
2024-03-09$90.62$44.87RVU24AR
2024-01-01$89.14$44.14RVU24A
2023-10-01$90.93$45.13RVU23D
2023-07-01$90.93$45.13RVU23C
2023-04-01$90.93$45.13RVU23B
2023-01-01$90.93$45.13RVU23A
2022-10-01$91.87$44.87RVU22D
2022-07-01$91.87$44.87RVU22C
2022-04-01$91.87$44.87RVU22B
2022-01-01$91.87$44.87RVU22A
2021-10-01$93.35$45.24RVU21D
2021-07-01$93.35$45.24RVU21C
2021-04-01$93.35$45.24RVU21B
2021-01-01$93.35$45.24RVU21A
2020-10-01$87.47$46.24RVU20D
2020-07-01$87.47$46.24RVU20C
2020-04-01$87.47$46.24RVU20B
2020-01-01$87.47$46.24RVU20A
2019-10-01$87.54$46.32RVU19D
2019-07-01$87.54$46.32RVU19C
2019-04-01$87.54$46.32RVU19B
2019-01-01$87.54$46.32RVU19A
2018-10-01$87.80$55.02RVU18D
2018-07-01$87.80$55.02RVU18C
2018-04-01$87.80$55.02RVU18B
2018-01-01$87.80$55.02RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$91.03$67.49RVU17D
2017-07-01$91.03$67.49RVU17C
2017-04-01$91.03$67.49RVU17B
2017-01-01$91.03$67.49RVU17A
2016-10-01$112.07$83.25RVU16D
2016-07-01$112.07$83.25RVU16C
2016-04-01$112.07$83.25RVU16B
2016-01-01$112.07$83.25RVU16A
2015-10-01$112.47$83.55RVU15D
2015-07-01$112.47$83.55RVU15C
2015-04-01$111.91$83.13RVU15B
2015-01-01$111.91$83.13RVU15A
2014-10-01$109.93$81.88RVU14D
2014-07-01$109.93$81.88RVU14C
2014-04-01$109.93$81.88RVU14B
2014-01-01$109.93$81.88RVU14A
2013-10-01$107.71$78.73RVU13D
2013-07-01$107.71$78.73RVU13C
2013-04-01$107.71$78.73RVU13B
2013-01-01$107.71$78.73RVU13AR

Price 51720 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

51720 billing questions

How is 51720 different from bladder irrigation or catheter insertion?

51720 represents therapeutic delivery of an antineoplastic agent into the bladder. Irrigation alone or catheter placement without that treatment does not meet the service; do not separately report 51701 for catheter placement integral to the instillation.

Can the drug be billed separately?

The drug may be reported separately with its applicable HCPCS drug code when the drug was supplied and billing requirements are met. 51720 represents the instillation service.

Should modifier 50 be appended for treatment of both sides?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this bladder service.

How does Medicare handle 51720 with another procedure in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures in that session are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the 0-day global period.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 51720. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 51720PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,052 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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