FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 52270: Urethrotomy, female urethra2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Endoscopic incision of a narrowed female urethra is reported when the urologist treats a urethral stricture by cutting the obstructing scar tissue.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality97 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $456.46 for 52270 in the office and $176.31 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$456.46Office (non-facility)
$176.31Hospital or facility
+14.2%vs the national office rate ($399.81)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 52270 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 52270 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 52270 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 52270 covers

A urologist uses a cystourethroscope to reach a narrowed segment of the female urethra and incise scar tissue to open the passage. The procedure is used for a urethral stricture causing symptoms such as difficult urination or reduced urinary flow. It is typically performed in an operating room or procedural setting, with the approach documented in the operative report.

Report 52270 for the female urethral internal incision, not for dilation alone or an incision at the urethral opening. Documentation should identify the stricture, its location, and the incision performed. The code has 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 for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 52270

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 52270 runs from $353.94 in Arkansas to $527.14 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $456.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

52270 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$456.46
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$449.96−$6.50
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$433.08−$23.38
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$420.55−$35.91
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$459.93+$3.47
  6. Alaska · Alaska$466.07+$9.61
  7. Alabama · Alabama$359.09−$97.37

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

Every other payment area

52270 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$353.94$149.66
ArizonaArizona$389.19$158.75
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$422.76$162.12
Chico, CACalifornia$421.49$160.85
El Centro, CACalifornia$421.56$160.92
Fresno, CACalifornia$421.49$160.85
Hanford, CACalifornia$421.49$160.85
Madera, CACalifornia$421.49$160.85

52270 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.

$353.94

$474.32

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

View every state and territory as a table
52270 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$466.071
AL$359.091
AR$353.941
AZ$389.191
CA$421.49–$527.1429
CO$415.641
CT$426.261
DC$456.461
DE$395.601
FL$394.89–$433.083
GA$372.77–$407.442
GU$431.561
HI$431.561
IA$367.701
ID$370.171
IL$383.89–$420.554
IN$372.291
KS$366.201
KY$367.961
LA$367.48–$385.482
MA$413.27–$456.242
MD$403.04–$456.463
ME$372.31–$392.032
MI$377.66–$400.012
MN$397.701
MO$361.36–$386.593
MS$357.711
MT$399.781
NC$376.141
ND$391.281
NE$369.631
NH$409.331
NJ$430.97–$451.832
NM$379.801
NV$397.691
NY$381.75–$471.275
OH$375.921
OK$367.091
OR$394.44–$428.512
PA$376.40–$415.862
PR$402.631
RI$409.441
SC$376.691
SD$390.271
TN$368.051
TX$373.96–$414.398
UT$381.791
VA$390.90–$456.462
VI$402.631
VT$389.951
WA$412.42–$465.292
WI$378.281
WV$369.861
WY$396.071

See 52270 in every payment locality

How the 52270 rate is calculated

Each of 52270’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 · 52270

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.28

3.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.26

8.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.43

0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.9700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$399.81

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

6,120

Code
52270
Physician work
3.28
Practice expense
8.26
Malpractice
0.43

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 52270 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.28× 1.0543.4571
Practice expense8.26× 1.1789.7303
Malpractice0.43× 1.1130.4786
Total RVUs13.6660
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$456.46

Office: (3.28 × 1.054 + 8.26 × 1.178 + 0.43 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $456.46

Facility: (3.28 × 1.054 + 1.14 × 1.178 + 0.43 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $176.31

Open 52270 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 52270

The CMS indicators that decide how 52270 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 52270

Urethrotomy, female urethra

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

52270 without 51 · national office

$399.81

Urethrotomy, female urethra

52270-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$199.91

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 52270

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

Codes related to 52270
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
52275Urethrotomy, female urethral stricture incisionRelated female urethral endoscopic procedure; distinguish the documented procedure performed.$591.25
Used instead
52276Urethral stricture treatment, direct-vision incisionDirect-vision internal urethrotomy; select according to the procedure and applicable code descriptor.No office rate
52281Urethral dilation, cystoscopic stricture treatmentUrethral stricture treatment by calibration or dilation rather than this incision service.$353.65
52284Urethral dilation, drug-coated balloonBalloon catheter treatment of a urethral stricture is a different approach.$3,146.94

How 52270 has changed in Washington, DC area

52270 · Office / nonfacility

$456.46

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.86 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $444.60 to $456.46 (2.7%).

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

    $444.60changed to$456.46

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.36 changed to 3.28
    • Practice expense RVU 8.14 changed to 8.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
    • 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

    $483.74changed to$444.60

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.82 changed to 8.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $475.84changed to$483.74

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $501.83changed to$475.84

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.87 changed to 8.82
    • 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

    $527.14changed to$501.83

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.04 changed to 8.87
    • 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

    $522.47changed to$527.14

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.82 changed to 9.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.40

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $485.36changed to$522.47

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.72 changed to 8.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.41
    • 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

    $455.18changed to$485.36

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.17 changed to 7.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39
    • 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

    $426.90changed to$455.18

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 6.54 changed to 7.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $420.46changed to$426.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.41 changed to 6.54
    • 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

    $416.93changed to$420.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.34 changed to 6.41
    • 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

    $418.00changed to$416.93

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.33 changed to 6.34

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $415.92changed to$418.00

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $406.73changed to$415.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.19 changed to 6.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $406.10changed to$406.73

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.71 changed to 6.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32
    • 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: $406.10

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$456.46$176.31RVU26D
2026-07-01$456.46$176.31RVU26C
2026-04-01$456.46$176.31RVU26B
2026-01-01$456.46$176.31RVU26A
2025-10-01$444.60$193.98RVU25D
2025-07-01$444.60$193.98RVU25C
2025-04-01$444.60$193.98RVU25B
2025-01-01$444.60$193.98RVU25A
2024-10-01$483.74$197.26RVU24D
2024-07-01$483.74$197.26RVU24C
2024-04-01$483.74$197.26RVU24B
2024-03-09$483.74$197.26RVU24AR
2024-01-01$475.84$194.04RVU24A
2023-10-01$501.83$200.28RVU23D
2023-07-01$501.83$200.28RVU23C
2023-04-01$501.83$200.28RVU23B
2023-01-01$501.83$200.28RVU23A
2022-10-01$527.14$204.63RVU22D
2022-07-01$527.14$204.63RVU22C
2022-04-01$527.14$204.63RVU22B
2022-01-01$527.14$204.63RVU22A
2021-10-01$522.47$207.21RVU21D
2021-07-01$522.47$207.21RVU21C
2021-04-01$522.47$207.21RVU21B
2021-01-01$522.47$207.21RVU21A
2020-10-01$485.36$210.39RVU20D
2020-07-01$485.36$210.39RVU20C
2020-04-01$485.36$210.39RVU20B
2020-01-01$485.36$210.39RVU20A
2019-10-01$455.18$210.25RVU19D
2019-07-01$455.18$210.25RVU19C
2019-04-01$455.18$210.25RVU19B
2019-01-01$455.18$210.25RVU19A
2018-10-01$426.90$210.44RVU18D
2018-07-01$426.90$210.44RVU18C
2018-04-01$426.90$210.44RVU18B
2018-01-01$426.90$210.44RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$420.46$209.85RVU17D
2017-07-01$420.46$209.85RVU17C
2017-04-01$420.46$209.85RVU17B
2017-01-01$420.46$209.85RVU17A
2016-10-01$416.93$208.11RVU16D
2016-07-01$416.93$208.11RVU16C
2016-04-01$416.93$208.11RVU16B
2016-01-01$416.93$208.11RVU16A
2015-10-01$418.00$208.86RVU15D
2015-07-01$418.00$208.86RVU15C
2015-04-01$415.92$207.82RVU15B
2015-01-01$415.92$207.82RVU15A
2014-10-01$406.73$204.78RVU14D
2014-07-01$406.73$204.78RVU14C
2014-04-01$406.73$204.78RVU14B
2014-01-01$406.73$204.78RVU14A
2013-10-01$406.10$196.60RVU13D
2013-07-01$406.10$196.60RVU13C
2013-04-01$406.10$196.60RVU13B
2013-01-01$406.10$196.60RVU13AR

Price 52270 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

52270 billing questions

How is this different from urethral dilation?

52270 represents incision of a female urethral stricture. A dilation code is used when the narrowing is treated by widening rather than by incision.

How does 52270 differ from 52276?

52270 is specific to internal urethrotomy in the female urethra. Compare the documented procedure with 52276, which describes direct-vision internal urethrotomy, before selecting the code.

Can modifier 50 be reported?

No. The anatomy and service descriptor make bilateral adjustment inappropriate for 52270.

Is same-day postoperative care separately reported?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the 0-day global period. Care on a later date is outside that same-day global period.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 52270. Co-surgeons and team surgery 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 52270PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,120 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 52270 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 52270 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

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

Join the waitlist