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CPT code 53852: Prostate ablation, radiofrequency thermotherapy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy that destroys prostate tissue, typically to treat urinary symptoms from benign prostatic enlargement.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality153 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,619.50 for 53852 in the office and $391.11 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,619.50Office (non-facility)
$391.11Hospital or facility
+16.0%vs the national office rate ($1,396.49)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 53852 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 53852 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 53852 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 53852 covers

A urologist delivers radiofrequency heat through a transurethral device to destroy prostate tissue, generally to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic enlargement. The treatment is performed through the urethra and may occur in an office or facility setting. This code identifies the radiofrequency thermotherapy method, not prostate tissue treatment by microwave energy or radiofrequency-generated water vapor.

Select the code from the documented treatment method; the operative report should identify radiofrequency thermotherapy and describe the procedure performed. The day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care are included in the 90-day global period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is not appropriate for this prostate procedure. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, 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 53852

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 53852 runs from $1,218.19 in Arkansas to $1,926.95 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $1,619.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

53852 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$1,619.50
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,611.63−$7.87
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$1,483.11−$136.39
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,436.18−$183.32
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,614.43−$5.07
  6. Alaska · Alaska$1,558.37−$61.13
  7. Alabama · Alabama$1,238.32−$381.18

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

Every other payment area

53852 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$1,218.19$322.45
ArizonaArizona$1,356.35$345.90
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,503.49$360.61
Chico, CACalifornia$1,501.27$358.39
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,501.40$358.52
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,501.27$358.39
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,501.27$358.39
Madera, CACalifornia$1,501.27$358.39

53852 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.

$1,218.19

$1,714.11

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

View every state and territory as a table
53852 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,558.371
AL$1,238.321
AR$1,218.191
AZ$1,356.351
CA$1,501.27–$1,926.9529
CO$1,468.741
CT$1,496.351
DC$1,619.501
DE$1,380.791
FL$1,357.24–$1,483.113
GA$1,274.04–$1,420.962
GU$1,547.381
HI$1,547.381
IA$1,281.221
ID$1,289.021
IL$1,308.08–$1,449.004
IN$1,297.591
KS$1,270.941
KY$1,263.561
LA$1,259.93–$1,330.372
MA$1,456.95–$1,630.262
MD$1,410.51–$1,619.503
ME$1,292.75–$1,376.642
MI$1,297.20–$1,372.432
MN$1,413.031
MO$1,233.22–$1,339.983
MS$1,226.161
MT$1,396.441
NC$1,308.501
ND$1,381.611
NE$1,290.171
NH$1,441.671
NJ$1,515.06–$1,598.902
NM$1,303.721
NV$1,393.491
NY$1,330.13–$1,653.035
OH$1,294.171
OK$1,264.821
OR$1,384.34–$1,523.972
PA$1,298.49–$1,453.122
PR$1,409.081
RI$1,436.341
SC$1,303.181
SD$1,379.861
TN$1,277.661
TX$1,288.66–$1,462.378
UT$1,323.231
VA$1,369.09–$1,619.502
VI$1,409.081
VT$1,372.331
WA$1,455.47–$1,669.052
WI$1,329.661
WV$1,252.921
WY$1,389.981

See 53852 in every payment locality

How the 53852 rate is calculated

Each of 53852’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 · 53852

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work5.78

5.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense35.28

35.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.75

0.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

41.8100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,396.49

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

6,228

Code
53852
Physician work
5.78
Practice expense
35.28
Malpractice
0.75

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 53852 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.78× 1.0546.0921
Practice expense35.28× 1.17841.5598
Malpractice0.75× 1.1130.8347
Total RVUs48.4867
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$1619.50

Office: (5.78 × 1.054 + 35.28 × 1.178 + 0.75 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1619.50

Facility: (5.78 × 1.054 + 4.06 × 1.178 + 0.75 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $391.11

Open 53852 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 53852

53852 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 53852

Prostate ablation, radiofrequency 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 · 53852

Prostate ablation, radiofrequency 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

53852 without 51 · national office

$1,396.49

Prostate ablation, radiofrequency thermotherapy

53852-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$698.25

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 53852

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

Codes related to 53852
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
53850Prostate treatment, microwave thermotherapyTreats prostate tissue by microwave thermotherapy rather than radiofrequency thermotherapy.$1,657.94
53854Prostate ablation, radiofrequency water vaporUses radiofrequency-generated water vapor to treat prostate tissue.$3,974.37
53860Prostate treatment, transurethral radiofrequencyTreats prostate tissue by transurethral needle ablation.$2,800.12
52648Laser prostate surgery, vaporizationUses laser vaporization to treat obstructive prostate tissue.No office rate

How 53852 has changed in Washington, DC area

53852 · Office / nonfacility

$1619.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $109.45 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1510.05 to $1619.50 (7.2%).

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

    $1510.05changed to$1619.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 5.93 changed to 5.78
    • Practice expense RVU 33.21 changed to 35.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.71 changed to 0.75
    • 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

    $1606.74changed to$1510.05

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 34.52 changed to 33.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.71

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1580.51changed to$1606.74

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1679.64changed to$1580.51

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 34.94 changed to 34.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.72 changed to 0.73
    • 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

    $1782.82changed to$1679.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 35.87 changed to 34.94
    • 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

    $1901.04changed to$1782.82

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 38.30 changed to 35.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.72

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1859.34changed to$1901.04

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 36.41 changed to 38.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.69
    • 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

    $1876.61changed to$1859.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 37.39 changed to 36.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
    • 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

    $2331.99changed to$1876.61

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Work RVU 10.83 changed to 5.93
    • Practice expense RVU 43.11 changed to 37.39
    • Malpractice RVU 1.20 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $2293.96changed to$2331.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 42.36 changed to 43.11
    • 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

    $2272.03changed to$2293.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 41.93 changed to 42.36
    • Malpractice RVU 1.21 changed to 1.20
    • 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

    $2276.76changed to$2272.03

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 41.85 changed to 41.93

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $2265.43changed to$2276.76

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $2224.13changed to$2265.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 41.18 changed to 41.85
    • Malpractice RVU 1.01 changed to 1.21
    • 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

    $2257.79changed to$2224.13

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 44.91 changed to 41.18
    • Malpractice RVU 1.06 changed to 1.01
    • 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: $2257.79

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,619.50$391.11RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,619.50$391.11RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,619.50$391.11RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,619.50$391.11RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,510.05$419.27RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,510.05$419.27RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,510.05$419.27RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,510.05$419.27RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,606.74$428.28RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,606.74$428.28RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,606.74$428.28RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,606.74$428.28RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,580.51$421.29RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,679.64$433.12RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,679.64$433.12RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,679.64$433.12RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,679.64$433.12RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,782.82$440.16RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,782.82$440.16RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,782.82$440.16RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,782.82$440.16RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,901.04$439.87RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,901.04$439.87RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,901.04$439.87RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,901.04$439.87RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,859.34$441.31RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,859.34$441.31RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,859.34$441.31RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,859.34$441.31RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,876.61$438.74RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,876.61$438.74RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,876.61$438.74RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,876.61$438.74RVU19A
2018-10-01$2,331.99$723.47RVU18D
2018-07-01$2,331.99$723.47RVU18C
2018-04-01$2,331.99$723.47RVU18B
2018-01-01$2,331.99$723.47RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$2,293.96$718.95RVU17D
2017-07-01$2,293.96$718.95RVU17C
2017-04-01$2,293.96$718.95RVU17B
2017-01-01$2,293.96$718.95RVU17A
2016-10-01$2,272.03$714.95RVU16D
2016-07-01$2,272.03$714.95RVU16C
2016-04-01$2,272.03$714.95RVU16B
2016-01-01$2,272.03$714.95RVU16A
2015-10-01$2,276.76$716.23RVU15D
2015-07-01$2,276.76$716.23RVU15C
2015-04-01$2,265.43$712.67RVU15B
2015-01-01$2,265.43$712.67RVU15A
2014-10-01$2,224.13$700.27RVU14D
2014-07-01$2,224.13$700.27RVU14C
2014-04-01$2,224.13$700.27RVU14B
2014-01-01$2,224.13$700.27RVU14A
2013-10-01$2,257.79$677.13RVU13D
2013-07-01$2,257.79$677.13RVU13C
2013-04-01$2,257.79$677.13RVU13B
2013-01-01$2,257.79$677.13RVU13AR

Price 53852 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

53852 billing questions

How is this code different from 53850?

53852 identifies prostate tissue treatment using radiofrequency thermotherapy. Use 53850 when the documented method is microwave thermotherapy.

How is this different from 53854?

53854 is for radiofrequency-generated water vapor thermotherapy. Choose 53852 when the documented technique is radiofrequency thermotherapy rather than water vapor treatment.

Should modifier 50 be appended?

No. Modifier 50 is not appropriate for this prostate procedure.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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

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

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 53852PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,228 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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