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CPT code 53850: Prostate treatment, microwave thermotherapy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Urologists report transurethral microwave thermotherapy to heat obstructive prostate tissue as a minimally invasive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic enlargement.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality647 Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $1,411.10 for 53850 in the office and $328.04 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,411.10Office (non-facility)
$328.04Hospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($1,427.22)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 53850 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 53850 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 53850 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 53850 covers

During transurethral microwave thermotherapy, a urologist passes a treatment catheter through the urethra and delivers microwave energy to heat prostate tissue contributing to bladder-outlet obstruction. The procedure is used for men with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic enlargement, such as weak stream, hesitancy, or frequency. It is generally performed in an outpatient urology setting.

Report this code for the microwave treatment, not for radiofrequency or water-vapor prostate therapy. Documentation should identify the prostate condition, symptoms, and treatment method. The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the 90 days after surgery. When other procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and additional procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid, 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 Delaware compares for 53850

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 53850 runs from $1,243.15 in Arkansas to $1,979.23 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $1,411.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

53850 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$1,411.10
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,651.74+$240.64
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,657.94+$246.84
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,511.81+$100.71
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,463.58+$52.48
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,650.64+$239.54
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,585.20+$174.10

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

Every other payment area

53850 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$1,263.95$304.76
ArkansasArkansas$1,243.15$301.50
ArizonaArizona$1,385.91$323.68
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,539.76$338.30
Chico, CACalifornia$1,537.77$336.31
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,537.88$336.43
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,537.77$336.31
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,537.77$336.31

53850 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.

$1,243.15

$1,758.50

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

View every state and territory as a table
53850 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,585.201
AL$1,263.951
AR$1,243.151
AZ$1,385.911
CA$1,537.77–$1,979.2329
CO$1,503.061
CT$1,530.041
DC$1,657.941
DE$1,411.101
FL$1,384.42–$1,511.813
GA$1,298.84–$1,451.902
GU$1,586.101
HI$1,586.101
IA$1,309.301
ID$1,317.151
IL$1,332.94–$1,478.904
IN$1,326.041
KS$1,298.191
KY$1,288.961
LA$1,285.00–$1,357.782
MA$1,490.61–$1,670.322
MD$1,441.89–$1,657.943
ME$1,320.48–$1,407.912
MI$1,323.23–$1,399.582
MN$1,447.091
MO$1,257.11–$1,368.303
MS$1,250.621
MT$1,427.181
NC$1,336.831
ND$1,413.931
NE$1,318.711
NH$1,474.791
NJ$1,549.47–$1,636.412
NM$1,329.751
NV$1,424.711
NY$1,359.15–$1,689.875
OH$1,320.521
OK$1,290.781
OR$1,415.66–$1,560.682
PA$1,325.25–$1,485.082
PR$1,440.401
RI$1,468.691
SC$1,330.501
SD$1,412.361
TN$1,305.071
TX$1,315.07–$1,496.278
UT$1,351.231
VA$1,399.76–$1,657.942
VI$1,440.401
VT$1,403.881
WA$1,489.27–$1,710.812
WI$1,360.141
WV$1,275.931
WY$1,421.401

See 53850 in every payment locality

How the 53850 rate is calculated

Each of 53850’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 · 53850

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work5.28

5.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense36.78

36.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.67

0.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

42.7300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,427.22

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,227

Code
53850
Physician work
5.28
Practice expense
36.78
Malpractice
0.67

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 53850 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.28× 1.0055.3064
Practice expense36.78× 0.98836.3386
Malpractice0.67× 0.8990.6023
Total RVUs42.2474
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$1411.10

Office: (5.28 × 1.005 + 36.78 × 0.988 + 0.67 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $1411.10

Facility: (5.28 × 1.005 + 3.96 × 0.988 + 0.67 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $328.04

Open 53850 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 53850

53850 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 53850

Prostate treatment, microwave thermotherapy

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
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.
Split (54/55/56)0.08/0.83/0.09Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 53850

Prostate treatment, microwave thermotherapy

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

53850 without 51 · national office

$1,427.22

Prostate treatment, microwave thermotherapy

53850-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$713.61

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 53850

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

Codes related to 53850
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Used instead
53852Prostate ablation, radiofrequency thermotherapyRadiofrequency thermotherapy is a different energy method for treating prostate obstruction.$1,380.79
53854Prostate ablation, radiofrequency water vaporUses radiofrequency-generated water vapor to destroy prostate tissue rather than microwave energy.$3,355.84
52601TURP, electrosurgical resectionTransurethral prostate resection is a different procedural approach for prostatic obstruction.No office rate

How 53850 has changed in Delaware

53850 · Office / nonfacility

$1411.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $100.81 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1310.29 to $1411.10 (7.7%).

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

    $1310.29changed to$1411.10

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 5.42 changed to 5.28
    • Practice expense RVU 34.70 changed to 36.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.67
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1394.96changed to$1310.29

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 36.10 changed to 34.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1372.19changed to$1394.96

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1451.84changed to$1372.19

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 36.52 changed to 36.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1536.35changed to$1451.84

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 37.52 changed to 36.52
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1643.62changed to$1536.35

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 40.18 changed to 37.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1630.93changed to$1643.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 38.30 changed to 40.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.62 changed to 0.64
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1667.41changed to$1630.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 39.40 changed to 38.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $2191.12changed to$1667.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Work RVU 10.08 changed to 5.42
    • Practice expense RVU 48.55 changed to 39.40
    • Malpractice RVU 1.11 changed to 0.59

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $2166.13changed to$2191.12

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 47.76 changed to 48.55
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $2156.57changed to$2166.13

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 47.34 changed to 47.76
    • Malpractice RVU 1.13 changed to 1.11
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $2160.65changed to$2156.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 47.24 changed to 47.34

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $2149.90changed to$2160.65

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $2126.60changed to$2149.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 46.56 changed to 47.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.95 changed to 1.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $2170.57changed to$2126.60

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 50.70 changed to 46.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.99 changed to 0.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $2170.57

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,411.10$328.04RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,411.10$328.04RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,411.10$328.04RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,411.10$328.04RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,310.29$348.94RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,310.29$348.94RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,310.29$348.94RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,310.29$348.94RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,394.96$356.11RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,394.96$356.11RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,394.96$356.11RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,394.96$356.11RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,372.19$350.30RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,451.84$357.81RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,451.84$357.81RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,451.84$357.81RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,451.84$357.81RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,536.35$361.79RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,536.35$361.79RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,536.35$361.79RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,536.35$361.79RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,643.62$362.33RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,643.62$362.33RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,643.62$362.33RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,643.62$362.33RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,630.93$369.27RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,630.93$369.27RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,630.93$369.27RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,630.93$369.27RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,667.41$370.69RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,667.41$370.69RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,667.41$370.69RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,667.41$370.69RVU19A
2018-10-01$2,191.12$644.91RVU18D
2018-07-01$2,191.12$644.91RVU18C
2018-04-01$2,191.12$644.91RVU18B
2018-01-01$2,191.12$644.91RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$2,166.13$641.72RVU17D
2017-07-01$2,166.13$641.72RVU17C
2017-04-01$2,166.13$641.72RVU17B
2017-01-01$2,166.13$641.72RVU17A
2016-10-01$2,156.57$638.66RVU16D
2016-07-01$2,156.57$638.66RVU16C
2016-04-01$2,156.57$638.66RVU16B
2016-01-01$2,156.57$638.66RVU16A
2015-10-01$2,160.65$639.85RVU15D
2015-07-01$2,160.65$639.85RVU15C
2015-04-01$2,149.90$636.67RVU15B
2015-01-01$2,149.90$636.67RVU15A
2014-10-01$2,126.60$624.36RVU14D
2014-07-01$2,126.60$624.36RVU14C
2014-04-01$2,126.60$624.36RVU14B
2014-01-01$2,126.60$624.36RVU14A
2013-10-01$2,170.57$602.36RVU13D
2013-07-01$2,170.57$602.36RVU13C
2013-04-01$2,170.57$602.36RVU13B
2013-01-01$2,170.57$602.36RVU13AR

Price 53850 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

53850 billing questions

How does this differ from CPT 53852?

CPT 53850 is for microwave thermotherapy. CPT 53852 is for transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy.

How does this differ from CPT 53854?

CPT 53854 describes prostate tissue destruction using radiofrequency-generated water vapor. CPT 53850 uses microwave energy delivered through a treatment catheter.

Should modifier 50 be appended?

No. The descriptor and anatomy make bilateral adjustment inappropriate.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the 90 days after surgery.

What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.

What should the record support?

Document the prostate condition and symptoms, and identify microwave thermotherapy as the treatment performed.

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 53850PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,227 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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