FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 52005: Ureteral catheterization, cystoscopic access2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

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 Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $320.31 for 52005 in the office and $130.66 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$320.31Office (non-facility)
$130.66Hospital or facility
+14.2%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 Washington, DC area
  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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $320.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

52005 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$320.31
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$315.93−$4.38
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$303.32−$16.99
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$294.62−$25.69
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$322.57+$2.26
  6. Alaska · Alaska$327.39+$7.08
  7. Alabama · Alabama$252.15−$68.16

Other areas in District of Columbia 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.

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.

$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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 52005 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.31× 1.0542.4347
Practice expense5.80× 1.1786.8324
Malpractice0.29× 1.1130.3228
Total RVUs9.5899
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$320.31

Office: (2.31 × 1.054 + 5.8 × 1.178 + 0.29 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $320.31

Facility: (2.31 × 1.054 + 0.98 × 1.178 + 0.29 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $130.66

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

Codes related to 52005

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

Codes related to 52005
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
52000Cystoscopy, diagnostic examination onlyUse for cystourethroscopy without the ureteral catheterization included in 52005.$247.57
Same family
52007Ureteral biopsy, brush biopsy by catheterRelated ureteral catheterization service that includes brush biopsy of the ureter or renal pelvis.$495.31
Often billed with
74420Retrograde urography, with or without KUBRadiologic supervision and interpretation for retrograde urography may be separately reported when performed and documented.$93.43

How 52005 has changed in Washington, DC area

52005 · Office / nonfacility

$320.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.76 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $317.55 to $320.31 (0.9%).

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

    $317.55changed to$320.31

    • 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
    • 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

    $350.19changed to$317.55

    • 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

    $344.48changed to$350.19

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $361.83changed to$344.48

    • 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
    • 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

    $379.58changed to$361.83

    • 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
    • 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

    $377.96changed to$379.58

    • 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

    $354.66changed to$377.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.73 changed to 6.46
    • 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

    $336.47changed to$354.66

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.41 changed to 5.73
    • 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

    $319.59changed to$336.47

    • 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

    $315.09changed to$319.59

    • 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
    • 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

    $312.53changed to$315.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.89 changed to 4.94
    • 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

    $312.79changed to$312.53

    • 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

    $311.24changed to$312.79

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $304.03changed to$311.24

    • 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
    • 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

    $304.54changed to$304.03

    • 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
    • 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: $304.54

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$320.31$130.66RVU26D
2026-07-01$320.31$130.66RVU26C
2026-04-01$320.31$130.66RVU26B
2026-01-01$320.31$130.66RVU26A
2025-10-01$317.55$142.88RVU25D
2025-07-01$317.55$142.88RVU25C
2025-04-01$317.55$142.88RVU25B
2025-01-01$317.55$142.88RVU25A
2024-10-01$350.19$145.85RVU24D
2024-07-01$350.19$145.85RVU24C
2024-04-01$350.19$145.85RVU24B
2024-03-09$350.19$145.85RVU24AR
2024-01-01$344.48$143.47RVU24A
2023-10-01$361.83$146.67RVU23D
2023-07-01$361.83$146.67RVU23C
2023-04-01$361.83$146.67RVU23B
2023-01-01$361.83$146.67RVU23A
2022-10-01$379.58$150.31RVU22D
2022-07-01$379.58$150.31RVU22C
2022-04-01$379.58$150.31RVU22B
2022-01-01$379.58$150.31RVU22A
2021-10-01$377.96$151.11RVU21D
2021-07-01$377.96$151.11RVU21C
2021-04-01$377.96$151.11RVU21B
2021-01-01$377.96$151.11RVU21A
2020-10-01$354.66$153.72RVU20D
2020-07-01$354.66$153.72RVU20C
2020-04-01$354.66$153.72RVU20B
2020-01-01$354.66$153.72RVU20A
2019-10-01$336.47$153.64RVU19D
2019-07-01$336.47$153.64RVU19C
2019-04-01$336.47$153.64RVU19B
2019-01-01$336.47$153.64RVU19A
2018-10-01$319.59$154.32RVU18D
2018-07-01$319.59$154.32RVU18C
2018-04-01$319.59$154.32RVU18B
2018-01-01$319.59$154.32RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$315.09$154.21RVU17D
2017-07-01$315.09$154.21RVU17C
2017-04-01$315.09$154.21RVU17B
2017-01-01$315.09$154.21RVU17A
2016-10-01$312.53$152.90RVU16D
2016-07-01$312.53$152.90RVU16C
2016-04-01$312.53$152.90RVU16B
2016-01-01$312.53$152.90RVU16A
2015-10-01$312.79$153.45RVU15D
2015-07-01$312.79$153.45RVU15C
2015-04-01$311.24$152.69RVU15B
2015-01-01$311.24$152.69RVU15A
2014-10-01$304.03$150.31RVU14D
2014-07-01$304.03$150.31RVU14C
2014-04-01$304.03$150.31RVU14B
2014-01-01$304.03$150.31RVU14A
2013-10-01$304.54$144.76RVU13D
2013-07-01$304.54$144.76RVU13C
2013-04-01$304.54$144.76RVU13B
2013-01-01$304.54$144.76RVU13AR

Price 52005 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

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 Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 52005 pays in Washington, DC area?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 52005 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist