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CPT code 55873: Prostate cryoablation, ultrasound-guided freeze treatment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports prostate tissue destruction by cryotherapy, typically for localized prostate cancer or recurrent disease, with ultrasound guidance and monitoring included.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $6,646.01 for 55873 in the office and $752.34 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$6,646.01Office (non-facility)
$752.34Hospital or facility
+16.8%vs the national office rate ($5,691.51)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 55873 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 55873 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 55873 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 55873 covers

A urologist uses probes placed through the perineum to freeze prostate tissue, with ultrasound used to guide and monitor treatment. The procedure is commonly performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery setting for localized prostate cancer, including selected cases treated after recurrence following radiation. The treatment may target the gland or a defined area, depending on the clinical plan.

Report the service when the documented procedure uses cryotherapy to ablate prostate tissue; the operative note should identify the indication, treatment extent, probe placement, and freezing process. Ultrasound guidance and monitoring are included in the service. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 55873

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 55873 runs from $4,932.04 in Arkansas to $8,008.98 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $6,646.01. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

55873 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$6,646.01
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$6,640.87−$5.14
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$5,990.70−$655.31
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$5,793.67−$852.34
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$6,594.07−$51.94
  6. Alaska · Alaska$6,225.11−$420.90
  7. Alabama · Alabama$5,017.99−$1,628.02

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

Every other payment area

55873 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$4,932.04$634.36
ArizonaArizona$5,522.43$674.40
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$6,176.31$692.89
Chico, CACalifornia$6,171.30$687.88
El Centro, CACalifornia$6,171.58$688.16
Fresno, CACalifornia$6,171.30$687.88
Hanford, CACalifornia$6,171.30$687.88
Madera, CACalifornia$6,171.30$687.88

55873 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.

$4,932.04

$7,090.14

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

View every state and territory as a table
55873 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$6,225.111
AL$5,017.991
AR$4,932.041
AZ$5,522.431
CA$6,171.30–$8,008.9829
CO$6,016.761
CT$6,112.021
DC$6,646.011
DE$5,625.721
FL$5,491.45–$5,990.703
GA$5,141.60–$5,787.262
GU$6,379.081
HI$6,379.081
IA$5,216.141
ID$5,246.391
IL$5,271.57–$5,878.384
IN$5,283.471
KS$5,165.071
KY$5,110.381
LA$5,092.04–$5,392.852
MA$5,962.33–$6,710.742
MD$5,753.62–$6,646.013
ME$5,254.80–$5,623.952
MI$5,247.08–$5,548.512
MN$5,802.351
MO$4,973.53–$5,442.403
MS$4,955.071
MT$5,691.401
NC$5,323.261
ND$5,657.981
NE$5,256.611
NH$5,897.341
NJ$6,192.38–$6,554.002
NM$5,271.911
NV$5,687.281
NY$5,415.14–$6,749.555
OH$5,240.251
OK$5,123.361
OR$5,653.98–$6,260.482
PA$5,262.65–$5,923.262
PR$5,747.781
RI$5,865.171
SC$5,288.441
SD$5,654.031
TN$5,192.891
TX$5,220.21–$5,987.118
UT$5,374.231
VA$5,586.65–$6,646.012
VI$5,747.781
VT$5,611.711
WA$5,958.97–$6,881.952
WI$5,434.381
WV$5,035.671
WY$5,676.841

See 55873 in every payment locality

How the 55873 rate is calculated

Each of 55873’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 · 55873

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work13.26

13.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense155.45

155.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.69

1.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

170.4000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$5,691.51

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

6,391

Code
55873
Physician work
13.26
Practice expense
155.45
Malpractice
1.69

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 55873 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work13.26× 1.05413.9760
Practice expense155.45× 1.178183.1201
Malpractice1.69× 1.1131.8810
Total RVUs198.9771
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$6646.01

Office: (13.26 × 1.054 + 155.45 × 1.178 + 1.69 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $6646.01

Facility: (13.26 × 1.054 + 5.66 × 1.178 + 1.69 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $752.34

Open 55873 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 55873

55873 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 55873

Prostate cryoablation, ultrasound-guided freeze treatment

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 · 55873

Prostate cryoablation, ultrasound-guided freeze treatment

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

55873 without 51 · national office

$5,691.51

Prostate cryoablation, ultrasound-guided freeze treatment

55873-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$2,845.76

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 55873

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

Codes related to 55873
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
55880Prostate HIFU, transrectal malignant tissue ablationProstate tissue ablation by HIFU rather than cryotherapy.No office rate
55877Prostate ablation, irreversible electroporation, percutaneousProstate tumor ablation using irreversible electroporation rather than freezing.No office rate
55866Prostatectomy, laparoscopic, radicalLaparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a surgical treatment option rather than tissue cryoablation.No office rate
55875Prostate brachytherapy, needle or catheter placementTransperineal placement for prostate brachytherapy, a radiation treatment rather than cryoablation.No office rate

How 55873 has changed in Washington, DC area

55873 · Office / nonfacility

$6646.01

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $420.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $6225.29 to $6646.01 (6.8%).

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

    $6225.29changed to$6646.01

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 13.60 changed to 13.26
    • Practice expense RVU 147.79 changed to 155.45
    • Malpractice RVU 1.64 changed to 1.69
    • 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

    $6690.09changed to$6225.29

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 154.93 changed to 147.79
    • Malpractice RVU 1.65 changed to 1.64

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $6580.90changed to$6690.09

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $7041.05changed to$6580.90

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 157.69 changed to 154.93
    • Malpractice RVU 1.61 changed to 1.65
    • 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

    $7530.81changed to$7041.05

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 162.77 changed to 157.69
    • Malpractice RVU 1.62 changed to 1.61
    • 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

    $7968.35changed to$7530.81

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 171.52 changed to 162.77
    • Malpractice RVU 1.57 changed to 1.62

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $7653.53changed to$7968.35

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 160.37 changed to 171.52
    • Malpractice RVU 1.56 changed to 1.57
    • 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

    $7590.82changed to$7653.53

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 161.42 changed to 160.37
    • Malpractice RVU 1.51 changed to 1.56
    • 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

    $8757.63changed to$7590.82

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 188.52 changed to 161.42
    • Malpractice RVU 1.50 changed to 1.51

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $8598.61changed to$8757.63

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 185.41 changed to 188.52
    • Malpractice RVU 1.51 changed to 1.50
    • 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

    $8581.85changed to$8598.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 185.36 changed to 185.41
    • Malpractice RVU 1.59 changed to 1.51
    • 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

    $8609.38changed to$8581.85

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 185.27 changed to 185.36
    • Malpractice RVU 1.60 changed to 1.59

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $8566.54changed to$8609.38

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $8136.15changed to$8566.54

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 175.77 changed to 185.27
    • Malpractice RVU 1.30 changed to 1.60
    • 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

    $8368.81changed to$8136.15

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 192.13 changed to 175.77
    • Malpractice RVU 1.36 changed to 1.30
    • 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: $8368.81

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$6,646.01$752.34RVU26D
2026-07-01$6,646.01$752.34RVU26C
2026-04-01$6,646.01$752.34RVU26B
2026-01-01$6,646.01$752.34RVU26A
2025-10-01$6,225.29$826.54RVU25D
2025-07-01$6,225.29$826.54RVU25C
2025-04-01$6,225.29$826.54RVU25B
2025-01-01$6,225.29$826.54RVU25A
2024-10-01$6,690.09$843.83RVU24D
2024-07-01$6,690.09$843.83RVU24C
2024-04-01$6,690.09$843.83RVU24B
2024-03-09$6,690.09$843.83RVU24AR
2024-01-01$6,580.90$830.05RVU24A
2023-10-01$7,041.05$856.21RVU23D
2023-07-01$7,041.05$856.21RVU23C
2023-04-01$7,041.05$856.21RVU23B
2023-01-01$7,041.05$856.21RVU23A
2022-10-01$7,530.81$874.00RVU22D
2022-07-01$7,530.81$874.00RVU22C
2022-04-01$7,530.81$874.00RVU22B
2022-01-01$7,530.81$874.00RVU22A
2021-10-01$7,968.35$877.70RVU21D
2021-07-01$7,968.35$877.70RVU21C
2021-04-01$7,968.35$877.70RVU21B
2021-01-01$7,968.35$877.70RVU21A
2020-10-01$7,653.53$890.81RVU20D
2020-07-01$7,653.53$890.81RVU20C
2020-04-01$7,653.53$890.81RVU20B
2020-01-01$7,653.53$890.81RVU20A
2019-10-01$7,590.82$884.80RVU19D
2019-07-01$7,590.82$884.80RVU19C
2019-04-01$7,590.82$884.80RVU19B
2019-01-01$7,590.82$884.80RVU19A
2018-10-01$8,757.63$885.55RVU18D
2018-07-01$8,757.63$885.55RVU18C
2018-04-01$8,757.63$885.55RVU18B
2018-01-01$8,757.63$885.55RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$8,598.61$881.38RVU17D
2017-07-01$8,598.61$881.38RVU17C
2017-04-01$8,598.61$881.38RVU17B
2017-01-01$8,598.61$881.38RVU17A
2016-10-01$8,581.85$881.47RVU16D
2016-07-01$8,581.85$881.47RVU16C
2016-04-01$8,581.85$881.47RVU16B
2016-01-01$8,581.85$881.47RVU16A
2015-10-01$8,609.38$883.38RVU15D
2015-07-01$8,609.38$883.38RVU15C
2015-04-01$8,566.54$878.99RVU15B
2015-01-01$8,566.54$878.99RVU15A
2014-10-01$8,136.15$860.90RVU14D
2014-07-01$8,136.15$860.90RVU14C
2014-04-01$8,136.15$860.90RVU14B
2014-01-01$8,136.15$860.90RVU14A
2013-10-01$8,368.81$829.92RVU13D
2013-07-01$8,368.81$829.92RVU13C
2013-04-01$8,368.81$829.92RVU13B
2013-01-01$8,368.81$829.92RVU13AR

Price 55873 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

55873 billing questions

How does this differ from prostate HIFU ablation?

This code is for cryotherapy, which destroys tissue by freezing. HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy and is reported with the code specific to that technique.

Can ultrasound guidance be billed separately?

Ultrasound guidance and monitoring are included in the cryoablation service. Do not separately report them for guidance or monitoring integral to this procedure.

What postoperative care is included?

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

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery modifier be used?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this prostate procedure. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service.

What should the operative note support?

Document the prostate condition treated, the extent of tissue targeted, probe placement, and the cryotherapy performed. The record should also support that the treatment used freezing rather than another ablation method.

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 55873PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,391 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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