FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 56420: Abscess drainage, bartholin gland2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama

Drainage of a Bartholin gland abscess, typically performed for a painful, localized vulvar collection at the gland’s duct opening.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $162.65 for 56420 in the office and $91.05 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$162.65Office (non-facility)
$91.05Hospital or facility
−10.6%vs the national office rate ($182.03)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 56420 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 56420 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 56420 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 56420 covers

CPT 56420 describes opening and draining an abscess involving a Bartholin gland, commonly presenting as a tender, one-sided swelling near the vaginal opening. A gynecologist or another physician may perform the procedure in an office, clinic, or facility setting. The service addresses an abscess; a noninfected Bartholin cyst or an abscess elsewhere on the vulva calls for a different procedural choice.

Report the code when the documented procedure drains a Bartholin gland abscess. The note should identify the gland or site and describe the abscess and drainage performed. The procedure has a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. 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 multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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 Alabama compares for 56420

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 56420 runs from $160.20 in Arkansas to $239.71 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $162.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

56420 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$162.65
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$204.55+$41.90
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$208.12+$45.47
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$199.51+$36.86
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$193.38+$30.73
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$210.34+$47.69
  7. Alaska · Alaska$210.09+$47.44

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

Every other payment area

56420 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$160.20$89.91
ArizonaArizona$176.94$97.64
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$192.01$102.32
Chico, CACalifornia$191.33$101.64
El Centro, CACalifornia$191.37$101.68
Fresno, CACalifornia$191.33$101.64
Hanford, CACalifornia$191.33$101.64
Madera, CACalifornia$191.33$101.64

56420 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.

$160.20

$215.52

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

View every state and territory as a table
56420 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$210.091
AL$162.651
AR$160.201
AZ$176.941
CA$191.33–$239.7129
CO$188.981
CT$194.451
DC$208.121
DE$179.931
FL$180.47–$199.513
GA$169.83–$185.822
GU$196.091
HI$196.091
IA$166.381
ID$167.631
IL$175.48–$193.384
IN$168.621
KS$165.841
KY$167.231
LA$167.06–$175.622
MA$187.90–$207.762
MD$183.37–$208.123
ME$168.82–$177.932
MI$172.00–$183.082
MN$180.081
MO$164.26–$175.943
MS$162.251
MT$182.021
NC$170.611
ND$177.271
NE$167.251
NH$186.251
NJ$196.39–$205.892
NM$173.081
NV$180.821
NY$173.29–$215.955
OH$171.031
OK$166.631
OR$179.15–$194.862
PA$171.16–$189.642
PR$183.311
RI$186.261
SC$171.161
SD$176.711
TN$166.741
TX$170.01–$188.608
UT$173.581
VA$177.51–$208.122
VI$183.311
VT$176.801
WA$187.47–$211.792
WI$171.141
WV$168.821
WY$179.951

See 56420 in every payment locality

How the 56420 rate is calculated

Each of 56420’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 · 56420

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.40

1.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.81

3.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.4500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$182.03

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

The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,404

Code
56420
Physician work
1.40
Practice expense
3.81
Malpractice
0.24

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 56420 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.40× 1.0001.4000
Practice expense3.81× 0.8753.3338
Malpractice0.24× 0.5660.1358
Total RVUs4.8696
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$162.65

Office: (1.4 × 1 + 3.81 × 0.875 + 0.24 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $162.65

Facility: (1.4 × 1 + 1.36 × 0.875 + 0.24 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $91.05

Open 56420 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 56420

56420 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 56420

Abscess drainage, bartholin gland

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 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)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 56420

Abscess drainage, bartholin gland

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

56420 without 51 · national office

$182.03

Abscess drainage, bartholin gland

56420-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$91.02

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 56420

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

Codes related to 56420
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Alabama
Used instead
56405Abscess drainage, vulva or perineumUse for drainage of a vulvar or perineal abscess not identified as a Bartholin gland abscess.$131.09
56440Cyst marsupialization, bartholin glandMarsupialization of a Bartholin gland cyst is a different procedure from abscess drainage.No office rate
56740Bartholin excision, gland or cyst removalExcision of a Bartholin gland is a more extensive procedure than drainage.No office rate

How 56420 has changed in Alabama

56420 · Office / nonfacility

$162.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.39 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $159.26 to $162.65 (2.1%).

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

    $159.26changed to$162.65

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.44 changed to 1.40
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.81
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $166.79changed to$159.26

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 3.85

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $164.07changed to$166.79

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $172.36changed to$164.07

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $179.19changed to$172.36

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 3.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $167.04changed to$179.19

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.51 changed to 3.95

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $147.54changed to$167.04

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.78 changed to 3.51
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $126.94changed to$147.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.24 changed to 2.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.25
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $114.30changed to$126.94

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.85 changed to 2.24

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$114.30

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$162.65$91.05RVU26D
2026-07-01$162.65$91.05RVU26C
2026-04-01$162.65$91.05RVU26B
2026-01-01$162.65$91.05RVU26A
2025-10-01$159.26$97.14RVU25D
2025-07-01$159.26$97.14RVU25C
2025-04-01$159.26$97.14RVU25B
2025-01-01$159.26$97.14RVU25A
2024-10-01$166.79$100.84RVU24D
2024-07-01$166.79$100.84RVU24C
2024-04-01$166.79$100.84RVU24B
2024-03-09$166.79$100.84RVU24AR
2024-01-01$164.07$99.19RVU24A
2023-10-01$172.36$104.52RVU23D
2023-07-01$172.36$104.52RVU23C
2023-04-01$172.36$104.52RVU23B
2023-01-01$172.36$104.52RVU23A
2022-10-01$179.19$108.20RVU22D
2022-07-01$179.19$108.20RVU22C
2022-04-01$179.19$108.20RVU22B
2022-01-01$179.19$108.20RVU22A
2021-10-01$167.04$105.38RVU21D
2021-07-01$167.04$105.38RVU21C
2021-04-01$167.04$105.38RVU21B
2021-01-01$167.04$105.38RVU21A
2020-10-01$147.54$99.41RVU20D
2020-07-01$147.54$99.41RVU20C
2020-04-01$147.54$99.41RVU20B
2020-01-01$147.54$99.41RVU20A
2019-10-01$126.94$91.33RVU19D
2019-07-01$126.94$91.33RVU19C
2019-04-01$126.94$91.33RVU19B
2019-01-01$126.94$91.33RVU19A
2018-10-01$114.30$85.79RVU18D
2018-07-01$114.30$85.79RVU18C
2018-04-01$114.30$85.79RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 56420 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alabama rate applies

Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abanda
  • Abbeville
  • Adamsville
  • Addison
  • Akron
  • Alabaster
  • Albertville
  • Alexander City

Browse all communities in Alabama

56420 billing questions

How do I distinguish 56420 from 56405?

Use 56420 for an abscess of the Bartholin gland. Code 56405 is for incision and drainage of a vulvar or perineal abscess not identified as a Bartholin gland abscess.

How does 56420 differ from 56440?

56420 is for draining a Bartholin gland abscess. 56440 describes marsupialization of a Bartholin gland cyst, a different procedure.

Should modifier 50 be appended for bilateral disease?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; do not use modifier 50.

Are related postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. An assistant at surgery is not paid; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 56420PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,404 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 56420 pays in Alabama?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 56420 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist