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CPT code 53852: Prostate ablation, radiofrequency thermotherapy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

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 Delaware, Medicare pays $1,380.79 for 53852 in the office and $350.52 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,380.79Office (non-facility)
$350.52Hospital or facility
−1.1%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 Delaware
  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 Delaware 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. Delaware pays $1,380.79. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

53852 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$1,380.79
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,611.63+$230.84
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,619.50+$238.71
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,483.11+$102.32
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,436.18+$55.39
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,614.43+$233.64
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,558.37+$177.58

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

Every other payment area

53852 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$1,238.32$325.89
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

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 Delaware 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

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 53852 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.78× 1.0055.8089
Practice expense35.28× 0.98834.8566
Malpractice0.75× 0.8990.6743
Total RVUs41.3398
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$1380.79

Office: (5.78 × 1.005 + 35.28 × 0.988 + 0.75 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $1380.79

Facility: (5.78 × 1.005 + 4.06 × 0.988 + 0.75 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $350.52

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, Delaware
Used instead
53850Prostate treatment, microwave thermotherapyTreats prostate tissue by microwave thermotherapy rather than radiofrequency thermotherapy.$1,411.10
53854Prostate ablation, radiofrequency water vaporUses radiofrequency-generated water vapor to treat prostate tissue.$3,355.84
53860Prostate treatment, transurethral radiofrequencyTreats prostate tissue by transurethral needle ablation.$2,363.58
52648Laser prostate surgery, vaporizationUses laser vaporization to treat obstructive prostate tissue.No office rate

How 53852 has changed in Delaware

53852 · Office / nonfacility

$1380.79

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $99.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1280.97 to $1380.79 (7.8%).

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

    $1280.97changed to$1380.79

    • 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 1.009 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

    $1362.12changed to$1280.97

    • 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

    $1339.89changed to$1362.12

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1417.55changed to$1339.89

    • 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 1.007 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

    $1497.97changed to$1417.55

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

    $1596.08changed to$1497.97

    • 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

    $1581.28changed to$1596.08

    • 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 1.006 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

    $1614.53changed to$1581.28

    • 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 1.007 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

    $2022.37changed to$1614.53

    • 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

    $1998.23changed to$2022.37

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

    $1987.15changed to$1998.23

    • 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 1.012 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

    $1991.35changed to$1987.15

    • 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

    $1981.44changed to$1991.35

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1955.62changed to$1981.44

    • 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
    • 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

    $1992.33changed to$1955.62

    • 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
    • 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: $1992.33

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,380.79$350.52RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,380.79$350.52RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,380.79$350.52RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,380.79$350.52RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,280.97$373.21RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,280.97$373.21RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,280.97$373.21RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,280.97$373.21RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,362.12$381.39RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,362.12$381.39RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,362.12$381.39RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,362.12$381.39RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,339.89$375.17RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,417.55$383.58RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,417.55$383.58RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,417.55$383.58RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,417.55$383.58RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,497.97$387.78RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,497.97$387.78RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,497.97$387.78RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,497.97$387.78RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,596.08$387.89RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,596.08$387.89RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,596.08$387.89RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,596.08$387.89RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,581.28$395.53RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,581.28$395.53RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,581.28$395.53RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,581.28$395.53RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,614.53$398.60RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,614.53$398.60RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,614.53$398.60RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,614.53$398.60RVU19A
2018-10-01$2,022.37$662.15RVU18D
2018-07-01$2,022.37$662.15RVU18C
2018-04-01$2,022.37$662.15RVU18B
2018-01-01$2,022.37$662.15RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,998.23$658.49RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,998.23$658.49RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,998.23$658.49RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,998.23$658.49RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,987.15$654.91RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,987.15$654.91RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,987.15$654.91RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,987.15$654.91RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,991.35$656.16RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,991.35$656.16RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,981.44$652.90RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,981.44$652.90RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,955.62$639.68RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,955.62$639.68RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,955.62$639.68RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,955.62$639.68RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,992.33$614.86RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,992.33$614.86RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,992.33$614.86RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,992.33$614.86RVU13AR

Price 53852 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

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 DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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