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

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 North Carolina, Medicare pays $264.09 for 52005 in the office and $113.89 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$264.09Office (non-facility)
$113.89Hospital or facility
−5.9%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 North Carolina
  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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $264.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

52005 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$264.09
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$315.93+$51.84
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$320.31+$56.22
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$303.32+$39.23
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$294.62+$30.53
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$322.57+$58.48
  7. Alaska · Alaska$327.39+$63.30

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

Every other payment area

52005 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$252.15$111.28
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

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 North Carolina 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

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 52005 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.31× 1.0002.3100
Practice expense5.80× 0.9335.4114
Malpractice0.29× 0.6390.1853
Total RVUs7.9067
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$264.09

Office: (2.31 × 1 + 5.8 × 0.933 + 0.29 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $264.09

Facility: (2.31 × 1 + 0.98 × 0.933 + 0.29 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $113.89

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 North Carolina

52005 · Office / nonfacility

$264.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.97 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $258.12 to $264.09 (2.3%).

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

    $258.12changed to$264.09

    • 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 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $283.82changed to$258.12

    • 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

    $279.19changed to$283.82

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $290.03changed to$279.19

    • 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 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $300.62changed to$290.03

    • 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 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $299.59changed to$300.62

    • 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

    $285.23changed to$299.59

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.73 changed to 6.46
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $273.69changed to$285.23

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.41 changed to 5.73
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $260.74changed to$273.69

    • 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

    $257.21changed to$260.74

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $255.11changed to$257.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.89 changed to 4.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $255.36changed to$255.11

    • 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

    $254.09changed to$255.36

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $249.34changed to$254.09

    • 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 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $249.37changed to$249.34

    • 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 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $249.37

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$264.09$113.89RVU26D
2026-07-01$264.09$113.89RVU26C
2026-04-01$264.09$113.89RVU26B
2026-01-01$264.09$113.89RVU26A
2025-10-01$258.12$122.44RVU25D
2025-07-01$258.12$122.44RVU25C
2025-04-01$258.12$122.44RVU25B
2025-01-01$258.12$122.44RVU25A
2024-10-01$283.82$125.07RVU24D
2024-07-01$283.82$125.07RVU24C
2024-04-01$283.82$125.07RVU24B
2024-03-09$283.82$125.07RVU24AR
2024-01-01$279.19$123.03RVU24A
2023-10-01$290.03$125.74RVU23D
2023-07-01$290.03$125.74RVU23C
2023-04-01$290.03$125.74RVU23B
2023-01-01$290.03$125.74RVU23A
2022-10-01$300.62$128.49RVU22D
2022-07-01$300.62$128.49RVU22C
2022-04-01$300.62$128.49RVU22B
2022-01-01$300.62$128.49RVU22A
2021-10-01$299.59$129.27RVU21D
2021-07-01$299.59$129.27RVU21C
2021-04-01$299.59$129.27RVU21B
2021-01-01$299.59$129.27RVU21A
2020-10-01$285.23$132.18RVU20D
2020-07-01$285.23$132.18RVU20C
2020-04-01$285.23$132.18RVU20B
2020-01-01$285.23$132.18RVU20A
2019-10-01$273.69$132.44RVU19D
2019-07-01$273.69$132.44RVU19C
2019-04-01$273.69$132.44RVU19B
2019-01-01$273.69$132.44RVU19A
2018-10-01$260.74$133.05RVU18D
2018-07-01$260.74$133.05RVU18C
2018-04-01$260.74$133.05RVU18B
2018-01-01$260.74$133.05RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$257.21$132.91RVU17D
2017-07-01$257.21$132.91RVU17C
2017-04-01$257.21$132.91RVU17B
2017-01-01$257.21$132.91RVU17A
2016-10-01$255.11$131.91RVU16D
2016-07-01$255.11$131.91RVU16C
2016-04-01$255.11$131.91RVU16B
2016-01-01$255.11$131.91RVU16A
2015-10-01$255.36$132.38RVU15D
2015-07-01$255.36$132.38RVU15C
2015-04-01$254.09$131.72RVU15B
2015-01-01$254.09$131.72RVU15A
2014-10-01$249.34$130.53RVU14D
2014-07-01$249.34$130.53RVU14C
2014-04-01$249.34$130.53RVU14B
2014-01-01$249.34$130.53RVU14A
2013-10-01$249.37$125.73RVU13D
2013-07-01$249.37$125.73RVU13C
2013-04-01$249.37$125.73RVU13B
2013-01-01$249.37$125.73RVU13AR

Price 52005 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

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 North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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