CPT code 52005: Ureteral catheterization, cystoscopic access2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alaska

Report cystourethroscopy with ureteral catheterization to access a ureter for drainage, instillation, irrigation, or retrograde evaluation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality25.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Alaska, Medicare pays $327.39 for 52005 in the office and $155.93 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$327.39Office (non-facility)
$155.93Hospital or facility
+16.7%vs the national office rate ($280.57)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 52005 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 52005 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alaska
  2. What 52005 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 52005 covers

A urologist passes a cystoscope through the urethra to inspect the bladder and guide a catheter into a ureter. The catheter may be used for irrigation, instillation, or contrast injection for retrograde evaluation of the ureter and collecting system. This service commonly supports evaluation of suspected obstruction, stones, or narrowing and may be performed in an operating room or another setting equipped for cystoscopy and imaging.

Report the service when the ureteral catheterization is performed; the cystoscopic access is part of the service, not a separate diagnostic cystoscopy. Document the ureter accessed and the catheterization and any irrigation, instillation, or retrograde study performed. Radiologic services are separate from this code. Medicare assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. Do not use modifier 50 for bilateral catheterization. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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 Alaska compares for 52005

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 52005 runs from $248.55 in Arkansas to $370.19 in San Benito County, CA. Alaska pays $327.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

52005 in Alaska vs other payment areas
  1. Alaska · this page$327.39
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$315.93−$11.46
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$320.31−$7.08
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$303.32−$24.07
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$294.62−$32.77
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$322.57−$4.82
  7. Alabama · Alabama$252.15−$75.24

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

Every other payment area

52005 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$248.55$110.26
ArizonaArizona$273.17$117.17
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$296.84$120.40
Chico, CACalifornia$295.98$119.53
El Centro, CACalifornia$296.03$119.58
Fresno, CACalifornia$295.98$119.53
Hanford, CACalifornia$295.98$119.53
Madera, CACalifornia$295.98$119.53

52005 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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.

$248.55

$333.09

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

View every state and territory as a table
52005 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$327.391
AL$252.151
AR$248.551
AZ$273.171
CA$295.98–$370.1929
CO$291.771
CT$299.061
DC$320.311
DE$277.651
FL$276.92–$303.323
GA$261.50–$285.852
GU$303.031
HI$303.031
IA$258.261
ID$259.961
IL$269.17–$294.624
IN$261.451
KS$257.171
KY$258.241
LA$257.88–$270.462
MA$290.10–$320.252
MD$282.87–$320.313
ME$261.41–$275.252
MI$264.96–$280.432
MN$279.371
MO$253.58–$271.293
MS$251.111
MT$280.551
NC$264.091
ND$274.811
NE$259.631
NH$287.301
NJ$302.42–$317.082
NM$266.441
NV$279.141
NY$268.00–$330.425
OH$263.791
OK$257.681
OR$276.92–$300.832
PA$264.15–$291.772
PR$282.551
RI$287.381
SC$264.391
SD$274.141
TN$258.451
TX$262.44–$290.858
UT$267.961
VA$274.43–$320.312
VI$282.551
VT$273.851
WA$289.52–$326.632
WI$265.731
WV$259.361
WY$278.051

See 52005 in every payment locality

How the 52005 rate is calculated

Each of 52005’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 · 52005

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.31

2.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.80

5.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.4000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$280.57

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

The exact Alaska inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,107

Code
52005
Physician work
2.31
Practice expense
5.80
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

5

Locality
Alaska
Physician work
1.500
Practice expense
1.065
Malpractice
0.551
Office calculation for 52005 in Alaska
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.31× 1.5003.4650
Practice expense5.80× 1.0656.1770
Malpractice0.29× 0.5510.1598
Total RVUs9.8018
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alaska$327.39

Office: (2.31 × 1.5 + 5.8 × 1.065 + 0.29 × 0.551) × $33.4009 = $327.39

Facility: (2.31 × 1.5 + 0.98 × 1.065 + 0.29 × 0.551) × $33.4009 = $155.93

Open 52005 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 52005

The CMS indicators that decide how 52005 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 52005

Ureteral catheterization, cystoscopic access

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures3Endoscopy family rules apply.
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

52005 without 51 · national office

$280.57

Ureteral catheterization, cystoscopic access

52005-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$140.29

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

How 52005 has changed in Alaska

52005 · Office / nonfacility

$327.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.29 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $325.10 to $327.39 (0.7%).

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

    $325.10changed to$327.39

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.37 changed to 2.31
    • Practice expense RVU 5.85 changed to 5.80
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.081 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.592 changed to 0.551

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $355.79changed to$325.10

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.44 changed to 5.85

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $349.98changed to$355.79

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $366.79changed to$349.98

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.46 changed to 6.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.100 changed to 1.081
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.603 changed to 0.592
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $382.78changed to$366.79

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.56 changed to 6.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.118 changed to 1.100
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.614 changed to 0.603

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $381.84changed to$382.78

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.46 changed to 6.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $365.93changed to$381.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.73 changed to 6.46
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.614

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $352.79changed to$365.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.41 changed to 5.73
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.118
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.708 changed to 0.661

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $337.27changed to$352.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.04 changed to 5.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $331.61changed to$337.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.94 changed to 5.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.710 changed to 0.708

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $327.98changed to$331.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.89 changed to 4.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.107 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.712 changed to 0.710

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $328.37changed to$327.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.87 changed to 4.89

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $326.74changed to$328.37

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $318.36changed to$326.74

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.76 changed to 4.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.087 changed to 1.107
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.687 changed to 0.712

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $314.03changed to$318.36

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.17 changed to 4.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.067 changed to 1.087
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.687

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $314.03

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$327.39$155.93RVU26D
2026-07-01$327.39$155.93RVU26C
2026-04-01$327.39$155.93RVU26B
2026-01-01$327.39$155.93RVU26A
2025-10-01$325.10$166.70RVU25D
2025-07-01$325.10$166.70RVU25C
2025-04-01$325.10$166.70RVU25B
2025-01-01$325.10$166.70RVU25A
2024-10-01$355.79$170.47RVU24D
2024-07-01$355.79$170.47RVU24C
2024-04-01$355.79$170.47RVU24B
2024-03-09$355.79$170.47RVU24AR
2024-01-01$349.98$167.69RVU24A
2023-10-01$366.79$171.84RVU23D
2023-07-01$366.79$171.84RVU23C
2023-04-01$366.79$171.84RVU23B
2023-01-01$366.79$171.84RVU23A
2022-10-01$382.78$175.40RVU22D
2022-07-01$382.78$175.40RVU22C
2022-04-01$382.78$175.40RVU22B
2022-01-01$382.78$175.40RVU22A
2021-10-01$381.84$176.64RVU21D
2021-07-01$381.84$176.64RVU21C
2021-04-01$381.84$176.64RVU21B
2021-01-01$381.84$176.64RVU21A
2020-10-01$365.93$181.95RVU20D
2020-07-01$365.93$181.95RVU20C
2020-04-01$365.93$181.95RVU20B
2020-01-01$365.93$181.95RVU20A
2019-10-01$352.79$183.32RVU19D
2019-07-01$352.79$183.32RVU19C
2019-04-01$352.79$183.32RVU19B
2019-01-01$352.79$183.32RVU19A
2018-10-01$337.27$184.07RVU18D
2018-07-01$337.27$184.07RVU18C
2018-04-01$337.27$184.07RVU18B
2018-01-01$337.27$184.07RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$331.61$183.15RVU17D
2017-07-01$331.61$183.15RVU17C
2017-04-01$331.61$183.15RVU17B
2017-01-01$331.61$183.15RVU17A
2016-10-01$327.98$181.33RVU16D
2016-07-01$327.98$181.33RVU16C
2016-04-01$327.98$181.33RVU16B
2016-01-01$327.98$181.33RVU16A
2015-10-01$328.37$181.99RVU15D
2015-07-01$328.37$181.99RVU15C
2015-04-01$326.74$181.08RVU15B
2015-01-01$326.74$181.08RVU15A
2014-10-01$318.36$179.35RVU14D
2014-07-01$318.36$179.35RVU14C
2014-04-01$318.36$179.35RVU14B
2014-01-01$318.36$179.35RVU14A
2013-10-01$314.03$171.73RVU13D
2013-07-01$314.03$171.73RVU13C
2013-04-01$314.03$171.73RVU13B
2013-01-01$314.03$171.73RVU13AR

Price 52005 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alaska rate applies

Alaska is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 355 cities and communities in Alaska. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adak
  • Akhiok
  • Akiachak
  • Akiak
  • Akutan
  • Alakanuk
  • Alatna
  • Alcan Border

Browse all communities in Alaska

52005 billing questions

When should 52005 be reported instead of 52000?

Report 52005 when the cystoscopy includes catheterization of a ureter. Use 52000 for cystourethroscopy without ureteral catheterization.

Can 52000 be billed separately with 52005?

The cystourethroscopy used to perform the ureteral catheterization is included in 52005. Do not separately report 52000 for that same cystoscopic access.

How does 52005 differ from 52007?

52007 is the related code when ureteral or renal-pelvis brush biopsy is performed along with ureteral catheterization. Use 52005 when that biopsy service is not performed.

Should modifier 50 be added when both ureters are catheterized?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inapplicable to 52005, so modifier 50 is inappropriate.

Is retrograde imaging included in 52005?

The code may include ureteropyelography, but the radiologic service is separate. Report a radiology service only when its requirements are met and the service is documented.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for 52005?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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 52005PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,107 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlaskaGPCI2026.csv, line 5 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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