CPT code 55815: Radical prostatectomy, perineal with bilateral node dissection2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $1,563.83 for 55815 nationally in a facility.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 55815 covers

This code describes radical removal of the prostate through an incision in the perineum, combined with lymph node dissection on both sides of the pelvis. The nodal work includes the external iliac, hypogastric, and obturator regions. A urologist typically performs the operation in a surgical setting for prostate cancer when this perineal approach and bilateral dissection are selected.

Choose this code when the operative report supports both the radical perineal prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy; perineal prostatectomy with only node biopsies is a different level of service. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. It has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation. Team surgery is 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.

Where 55815 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

55815 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 55815 rate is calculated

Each of 55815’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 55815

55815 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

55815 compared with similar codes

How to choose

55810Radical prostatectomyPerineal approach

Both describe radical perineal prostatectomy, but 55815 includes bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Select 55810 when that nodal dissection is not performed.

55812Radical prostatectomyPerineal with bilateral lymphadenectomy

55812 represents perineal radical prostatectomy with lymph node biopsies. Use 55815 when the documented nodal work is bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy.

55845Radical prostatectomyRetropubic, extensive node dissection

Both include radical prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy; 55845 uses a retropubic approach, while 55815 uses a perineal approach.

55866ProstatectomyLaparoscopic, radical

55866 describes a laparoscopic retropubic radical prostatectomy. Distinguish it from 55815 by the documented operative approach and included service.

Codes related to 55815

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates