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CPT code 52270: Urethrotomy, female urethra2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Metropolitan Boston, MA

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 Metropolitan Boston, MA, Medicare pays $456.24 for 52270 in the office and $172.29 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$456.24Office (non-facility)
$172.29Hospital or facility
+14.1%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 Metropolitan Boston, MA
  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 Metropolitan Boston, MA 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. Metropolitan Boston, MA pays $456.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

52270 in Metropolitan Boston, MA vs other payment areas
  1. Metropolitan Boston, MA · this page$456.24
  2. Rest of Massachusetts · Massachusetts$413.27−$42.97
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$449.96−$6.28
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$456.46+$0.22
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$433.08−$23.16
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$420.55−$35.69
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$459.93+$3.69

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

Every other payment area

52270 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$466.07$212.80
AlabamaAlabama$359.09$151.00
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

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 Metropolitan Boston, MA 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

62

Locality
Metropolitan Boston, MA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.194
Malpractice
0.890
Office calculation for 52270 in Metropolitan Boston, MA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.28× 1.0413.4145
Practice expense8.26× 1.1949.8624
Malpractice0.43× 0.8900.3827
Total RVUs13.6596
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Metropolitan Boston, MA$456.24

Office: (3.28 × 1.041 + 8.26 × 1.194 + 0.43 × 0.89) × $33.4009 = $456.24

Facility: (3.28 × 1.041 + 1.14 × 1.194 + 0.43 × 0.89) × $33.4009 = $172.29

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, Metropolitan Boston, MA
Same family
52275Urethrotomy, female urethral stricture incisionRelated female urethral endoscopic procedure; distinguish the documented procedure performed.$590.50
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.$353.14
52284Urethral dilation, drug-coated balloonBalloon catheter treatment of a urethral stricture is a different approach.$3,183.82

How 52270 has changed in Metropolitan Boston, MA

52270 · Office / nonfacility

$456.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $15.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $440.57 to $456.24 (3.6%).

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

    $440.57changed to$456.24

    • 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 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.890

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $479.88changed to$440.57

    • 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

    $472.05changed to$479.88

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $491.45changed to$472.05

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.87 changed to 8.82
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.868 changed to 0.894

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $509.98changed to$491.45

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.04 changed to 8.87
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.203 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.842 changed to 0.868

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $505.26changed to$509.98

    • 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

    $471.46changed to$505.26

    • 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 1.041 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.191 changed to 1.203
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.952 changed to 0.842

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $444.27changed to$471.46

    • 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 1.033 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.179 changed to 1.191
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.061 changed to 0.952

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $416.66changed to$444.27

    • 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

    $404.13changed to$416.66

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.41 changed to 6.54
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.033
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.171 changed to 1.179
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.839 changed to 1.061

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $394.52changed to$404.13

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.34 changed to 6.41
    • Work GPCI 1.017 changed to 1.025
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.163 changed to 1.171
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.617 changed to 0.839

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $395.53changed to$394.52

    • 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

    $393.56changed to$395.53

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $386.70changed to$393.56

    • 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 1.016 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.156 changed to 1.163
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.704 changed to 0.617

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$386.70

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$456.24$172.29RVU26D
2026-07-01$456.24$172.29RVU26C
2026-04-01$456.24$172.29RVU26B
2026-01-01$456.24$172.29RVU26A
2025-10-01$440.57$188.89RVU25D
2025-07-01$440.57$188.89RVU25C
2025-04-01$440.57$188.89RVU25B
2025-01-01$440.57$188.89RVU25A
2024-10-01$479.88$192.20RVU24D
2024-07-01$479.88$192.20RVU24C
2024-04-01$479.88$192.20RVU24B
2024-03-09$479.88$192.20RVU24AR
2024-01-01$472.05$189.06RVU24A
2023-10-01$491.45$193.37RVU23D
2023-07-01$491.45$193.37RVU23C
2023-04-01$491.45$193.37RVU23B
2023-01-01$491.45$193.37RVU23A
2022-10-01$509.98$196.08RVU22D
2022-07-01$509.98$196.08RVU22C
2022-04-01$509.98$196.08RVU22B
2022-01-01$509.98$196.08RVU22A
2021-10-01$505.26$198.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$505.26$198.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$505.26$198.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$505.26$198.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$471.46$203.25RVU20D
2020-07-01$471.46$203.25RVU20C
2020-04-01$471.46$203.25RVU20B
2020-01-01$471.46$203.25RVU20A
2019-10-01$444.27$204.63RVU19D
2019-07-01$444.27$204.63RVU19C
2019-04-01$444.27$204.63RVU19B
2019-01-01$444.27$204.63RVU19A
2018-10-01$416.66$204.87RVU18D
2018-07-01$416.66$204.87RVU18C
2018-04-01$416.66$204.87RVU18B
2018-01-01$416.66$204.87RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$404.13$199.46RVU17D
2017-07-01$404.13$199.46RVU17C
2017-04-01$404.13$199.46RVU17B
2017-01-01$404.13$199.46RVU17A
2016-10-01$394.52$192.98RVU16D
2016-07-01$394.52$192.98RVU16C
2016-04-01$394.52$192.98RVU16B
2016-01-01$394.52$192.98RVU16A
2015-10-01$395.53$193.68RVU15D
2015-07-01$395.53$193.68RVU15C
2015-04-01$393.56$192.71RVU15B
2015-01-01$393.56$192.71RVU15A
2014-10-01$386.70$192.48RVU14D
2014-07-01$386.70$192.48RVU14C
2014-04-01$386.70$192.48RVU14B
2014-01-01$386.70$192.48RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 52270 for an earlier date of service

Where the Metropolitan Boston, MA rate applies

Metropolitan Boston, MA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 60 cities and communities in Massachusetts. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Boston
  • Arlington
  • Ayer
  • Bellingham
  • Belmont
  • Braintree Town
  • Brookline
  • Burlington

Browse all communities in Massachusetts

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 Metropolitan Boston, MAGPCI2026.csv, line 62 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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