FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 52224: Bladder lesion treatment, lesions under 0.5 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports cystoscopic destruction of small bladder lesions under 0.5 cm, including treatment with electrosurgery, cryosurgery, or laser.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality26.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $878.10 for 52224 in the office and $189.54 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$878.10Office (non-facility)
$189.54Hospital or facility
+15.5%vs the national office rate ($760.20)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 52224 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 52224 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 52224 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 52224 covers

A urologist uses a cystoscope to identify and destroy small bladder lesions measuring less than 0.5 cm. Treatment may use electrosurgical fulguration, cryosurgery, or laser. The procedure is performed in an office or facility setting, with the setting and anesthesia depending on the patient and clinical circumstances. It is used for small bladder lesions, including small papillary tumors.

Select this code when the treated bladder lesion or lesions meet the under-0.5-cm size criterion; document their location, size, number, and treatment method. A biopsy performed as part of treatment does not by itself change the lesion-size selection. CMS 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. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. CMS does not pay for an assistant at surgery, and 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 Washington, DC area compares for 52224

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 52224 runs from $665.99 in Arkansas to $1,037.58 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $878.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

52224 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$878.10
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$872.09−$6.01
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$810.32−$67.78
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$785.38−$92.72
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$877.37−$0.73
  6. Alaska · Alaska$858.60−$19.50
  7. Alabama · Alabama$676.61−$201.49

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

52224 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$665.99$163.89
ArizonaArizona$738.88$172.48
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$815.05$174.43
Chico, CACalifornia$813.60$172.97
El Centro, CACalifornia$813.68$173.05
Fresno, CACalifornia$813.60$172.97
Hanford, CACalifornia$813.60$172.97
Madera, CACalifornia$813.60$172.97

52224 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.

$665.99

$925.59

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

View every state and territory as a table
52224 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$858.601
AL$676.611
AR$665.991
AZ$738.881
CA$813.60–$1,037.5829
CO$797.371
CT$813.401
DC$878.101
DE$751.871
FL$741.51–$810.323
GA$697.26–$773.682
GU$837.151
HI$837.151
IA$698.321
ID$702.631
IL$716.18–$790.284
IN$707.121
KS$693.341
KY$690.891
LA$689.15–$726.332
MA$791.42–$882.522
MD$767.52–$878.103
ME$705.07–$748.662
MI$709.08–$750.022
MN$766.431
MO$675.34–$730.873
MS$670.881
MT$760.171
NC$713.301
ND$750.481
NE$702.911
NH$783.251
NJ$823.36–$867.532
NM$712.711
NV$758.081
NY$724.75–$898.325
OH$707.101
OK$691.081
OR$752.90–$826.052
PA$709.13–$790.832
PR$766.691
RI$781.141
SC$711.241
SD$749.341
TN$696.941
TX$703.97–$794.098
UT$721.821
VA$744.99–$878.102
VI$766.691
VT$746.001
WA$790.44–$902.712
WI$723.181
WV$687.101
WY$755.951

See 52224 in every payment locality

How the 52224 rate is calculated

Each of 52224’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 · 52224

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.95

3.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense18.32

18.32 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.49

0.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

22.7600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$760.20

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

6,113

Code
52224
Physician work
3.95
Practice expense
18.32
Malpractice
0.49

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 52224 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.95× 1.0544.1633
Practice expense18.32× 1.17821.5810
Malpractice0.49× 1.1130.5454
Total RVUs26.2896
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$878.10

Office: (3.95 × 1.054 + 18.32 × 1.178 + 0.49 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $878.10

Facility: (3.95 × 1.054 + 0.82 × 1.178 + 0.49 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $189.54

Open 52224 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 52224

The CMS indicators that decide how 52224 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 52224

Bladder lesion treatment, lesions under 0.5 cm

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

52224 without 51 · national office

$760.20

Bladder lesion treatment, lesions under 0.5 cm

52224-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$380.10

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 52224

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

Codes related to 52224
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
52204Cystoscopic biopsy, bladder tissue samplingCystoscopic bladder biopsy when tissue sampling, rather than fulguration, is performed.$407.43
52214Cystoscopy treatment, fulguration at specified sitesFulguration at specified urinary sites outside the small bladder-lesion size category.$841.90
Same family
52234Bladder tumor treatment, tumor 0.5 to 2.0 cmCystoscopic treatment of medium-size bladder lesions.No office rate
52235Bladder tumor resection, medium, 2.0–5.0 cmCystoscopic treatment of large bladder lesions.No office rate
52240Bladder tumor treatment, large tumor categoryCystoscopic treatment of bladder lesions in the largest size category.No office rate

How 52224 has changed in Washington, DC area

52224 · Office / nonfacility

$878.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $40.21 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $837.89 to $878.10 (4.8%).

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

    $837.89changed to$878.10

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.05 changed to 3.95
    • Practice expense RVU 17.65 changed to 18.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.49
    • 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

    $906.32changed to$837.89

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 18.77 changed to 17.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $891.53changed to$906.32

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $946.19changed to$891.53

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 18.98 changed to 18.77
    • 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

    $1003.34changed to$946.19

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 19.48 changed to 18.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.49
    • 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

    $1006.83changed to$1003.34

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 19.41 changed to 19.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $933.79changed to$1006.83

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 17.22 changed to 19.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $885.16changed to$933.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 16.41 changed to 17.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.47
    • 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

    $843.87changed to$885.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 15.47 changed to 16.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.44

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $828.46changed to$843.87

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 15.16 changed to 15.47
    • 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

    $820.62changed to$828.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 15.01 changed to 15.16
    • 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

    $822.74changed to$820.62

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 14.98 changed to 15.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $818.65changed to$822.74

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $802.14changed to$818.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 14.71 changed to 14.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $812.08changed to$802.14

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 16.00 changed to 14.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.38
    • 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: $812.08

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$878.10$189.54RVU26D
2026-07-01$878.10$189.54RVU26C
2026-04-01$878.10$189.54RVU26B
2026-01-01$878.10$189.54RVU26A
2025-10-01$837.89$213.65RVU25D
2025-07-01$837.89$213.65RVU25C
2025-04-01$837.89$213.65RVU25B
2025-01-01$837.89$213.65RVU25A
2024-10-01$906.32$217.89RVU24D
2024-07-01$906.32$217.89RVU24C
2024-04-01$906.32$217.89RVU24B
2024-03-09$906.32$217.89RVU24AR
2024-01-01$891.53$214.34RVU24A
2023-10-01$946.19$222.55RVU23D
2023-07-01$946.19$222.55RVU23C
2023-04-01$946.19$222.55RVU23B
2023-01-01$946.19$222.55RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,003.34$228.29RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,003.34$228.29RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,003.34$228.29RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,003.34$228.29RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,006.83$229.67RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,006.83$229.67RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,006.83$229.67RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,006.83$229.67RVU21A
2020-10-01$933.79$235.36RVU20D
2020-07-01$933.79$235.36RVU20C
2020-04-01$933.79$235.36RVU20B
2020-01-01$933.79$235.36RVU20A
2019-10-01$885.16$233.32RVU19D
2019-07-01$885.16$233.32RVU19C
2019-04-01$885.16$233.32RVU19B
2019-01-01$885.16$233.32RVU19A
2018-10-01$843.87$234.39RVU18D
2018-07-01$843.87$234.39RVU18C
2018-04-01$843.87$234.39RVU18B
2018-01-01$843.87$234.39RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$828.46$233.83RVU17D
2017-07-01$828.46$233.83RVU17C
2017-04-01$828.46$233.83RVU17B
2017-01-01$828.46$233.83RVU17A
2016-10-01$820.62$232.13RVU16D
2016-07-01$820.62$232.13RVU16C
2016-04-01$820.62$232.13RVU16B
2016-01-01$820.62$232.13RVU16A
2015-10-01$822.74$233.43RVU15D
2015-07-01$822.74$233.43RVU15C
2015-04-01$818.65$232.27RVU15B
2015-01-01$818.65$232.27RVU15A
2014-10-01$802.14$228.16RVU14D
2014-07-01$802.14$228.16RVU14C
2014-04-01$802.14$228.16RVU14B
2014-01-01$802.14$228.16RVU14A
2013-10-01$812.08$217.80RVU13D
2013-07-01$812.08$217.80RVU13C
2013-04-01$812.08$217.80RVU13B
2013-01-01$812.08$217.80RVU13AR

Price 52224 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

52224 billing questions

When should this code be selected instead of 52234?

Use 52224 for bladder lesions under 0.5 cm. Code 52234 is for lesions in the medium-size category, beginning at 0.5 cm.

How does this differ from 52214?

52224 describes fulguration of small bladder lesions under 0.5 cm. Code 52214 addresses fulguration at specified sites such as the bladder neck, trigone, prostatic fossa, urethra, or periurethral glands.

Can a biopsy be reported separately when the lesion is fulgurated?

Do not report a separate biopsy code solely for biopsy performed as part of treating the lesion. Code 52204 is for cystoscopic biopsy when biopsy, rather than lesion fulguration, is the service performed.

What documentation supports the lesion-size code?

Document the bladder lesion location, measured size, number of lesions treated, and the method used to destroy them. The record should support that the treated lesion size is under 0.5 cm.

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery modifier be used?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. CMS does not pay for an assistant at surgery; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

How are same-day related endoscopies handled?

CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in this code's 0-day global period.

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 52224PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,113 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 52224 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 52224 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

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

Join the waitlist