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CPT code 56606: Vulvar biopsy, each additional lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama

Reports biopsy sampling of each additional vulvar or perineal lesion after the primary lesion biopsy, such as when several distinct lesions require tissue diagnosis.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5K Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $35.52 for 56606 in the office and $23.54 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$35.52Office (non-facility)
$23.54Hospital or facility
−9.1%vs the national office rate ($39.08)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 56606 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 56606 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 56606 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 56606 covers

This add-on represents tissue sampling from an additional, distinct lesion of the vulva or perineum after the primary lesion has been biopsied. A gynecologist or another clinician performing vulvar evaluation may obtain the specimen in an office, procedure room, or operating room. The tissue is typically submitted for histopathologic examination to investigate findings such as a persistent lesion or an area of abnormal vulvar tissue.

Report 56606 with the primary biopsy code 56605, not by itself, when a separate additional lesion is sampled. The record should identify the lesions and support that more than one distinct site was biopsied; repeated sampling of the same lesion is not an additional lesion. CMS classifies 56606 as an add-on code: it is billed only with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure's global period. The code does not represent a vulvectomy or removal of a larger area of vulvar tissue.

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 56606

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 56606 runs from $35.08 in Arkansas to $47.92 in Alaska. Alabama pays $35.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

56606 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$35.52
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$42.11+$6.59
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$43.60+$8.08
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$44.41+$8.89
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$43.19+$7.67
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$44.92+$9.40
  7. Alaska · Alaska$47.92+$12.40

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

Every other payment area

56606 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$35.08$23.31
ArizonaArizona$38.09$24.82
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$39.98$24.97
Chico, CACalifornia$39.72$24.71
El Centro, CACalifornia$39.74$24.73
Fresno, CACalifornia$39.72$24.71
Hanford, CACalifornia$39.72$24.71
Madera, CACalifornia$39.72$24.71

56606 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.

$35.08

$47.92

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

View every state and territory as a table
56606 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$47.921
AL$35.521
AR$35.081
AZ$38.091
CA$39.72–$47.6429
CO$39.791
CT$41.461
DC$43.601
DE$38.651
FL$39.80–$44.413
GA$37.71–$40.032
GU$40.281
HI$40.281
IA$35.731
ID$36.051
IL$39.20–$43.194
IN$36.221
KS$35.861
KY$36.821
LA$36.88–$38.422
MA$39.71–$42.992
MD$39.23–$43.603
ME$36.50–$37.812
MI$37.90–$40.512
MN$37.491
MO$36.51–$38.223
MS$35.791
MT$39.071
NC$36.791
ND$37.291
NE$35.821
NH$39.441
NJ$41.75–$43.312
NM$38.191
NV$38.601
NY$37.28–$46.225
OH$37.531
OK$36.481
OR$38.11–$40.602
PA$37.43–$40.722
PR$39.231
RI$39.691
SC$37.261
SD$37.081
TN$36.051
TX$37.24–$40.238
UT$37.691
VA$37.89–$43.602
VI$39.231
VT$37.411
WA$39.55–$43.532
WI$36.241
WV$38.011
WY$38.301

See 56606 in every payment locality

How the 56606 rate is calculated

Each of 56606’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 · 56606

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.54

0.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.54

0.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.1700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$39.08

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

6,411

Code
56606
Physician work
0.54
Practice expense
0.54
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 56606 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.54× 1.0000.5400
Practice expense0.54× 0.8750.4725
Malpractice0.09× 0.5660.0509
Total RVUs1.0634
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$35.52

Office: (0.54 × 1 + 0.54 × 0.875 + 0.09 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $35.52

Facility: (0.54 × 1 + 0.13 × 0.875 + 0.09 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $23.54

Open 56606 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 56606

The CMS indicators that decide how 56606 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 56606

Vulvar biopsy, each additional lesion

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)2Permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 56606

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

Codes related to 56606
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Alabama
Primary code
56605Vulvar biopsy, first lesion sampledPrimary vulvar or perineal lesion biopsy that must accompany this additional-lesion code.$84.34
Often billed with
88305Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimenMay represent histopathologic examination of submitted biopsy tissue.$64.22
Used instead
11104Punch biopsy, single skin lesionPunch biopsy code for a skin lesion outside the vulva or perineum.$108.54

How 56606 has changed in Alabama

56606 · Office / nonfacility

$35.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.19 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $33.33 to $35.52 (6.6%).

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

    $33.33changed to$35.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.55 changed to 0.54
    • Practice expense RVU 0.50 changed to 0.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • 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

    $34.49changed to$33.33

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $33.93changed to$34.49

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $36.35changed to$33.93

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.51 changed to 0.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $37.27changed to$36.35

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.50 changed to 0.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • 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

    $37.58changed to$37.27

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $37.22changed to$37.58

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.50
    • 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

    $35.99changed to$37.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.46 changed to 0.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • 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

    $35.63changed to$35.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.45 changed to 0.46

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$35.63

    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$35.52$23.54RVU26D
2026-07-01$35.52$23.54RVU26C
2026-04-01$35.52$23.54RVU26B
2026-01-01$35.52$23.54RVU26A
2025-10-01$33.33$25.74RVU25D
2025-07-01$33.33$25.74RVU25C
2025-04-01$33.33$25.74RVU25B
2025-01-01$33.33$25.74RVU25A
2024-10-01$34.49$26.68RVU24D
2024-07-01$34.49$26.68RVU24C
2024-04-01$34.49$26.68RVU24B
2024-03-09$34.49$26.68RVU24AR
2024-01-01$33.93$26.25RVU24A
2023-10-01$36.35$28.02RVU23D
2023-07-01$36.35$28.02RVU23C
2023-04-01$36.35$28.02RVU23B
2023-01-01$36.35$28.02RVU23A
2022-10-01$37.27$28.66RVU22D
2022-07-01$37.27$28.66RVU22C
2022-04-01$37.27$28.66RVU22B
2022-01-01$37.27$28.66RVU22A
2021-10-01$37.58$28.90RVU21D
2021-07-01$37.58$28.90RVU21C
2021-04-01$37.58$28.90RVU21B
2021-01-01$37.58$28.90RVU21A
2020-10-01$37.22$29.20RVU20D
2020-07-01$37.22$29.20RVU20C
2020-04-01$37.22$29.20RVU20B
2020-01-01$37.22$29.20RVU20A
2019-10-01$35.99$28.30RVU19D
2019-07-01$35.99$28.30RVU19C
2019-04-01$35.99$28.30RVU19B
2019-01-01$35.99$28.30RVU19A
2018-10-01$35.63$28.27RVU18D
2018-07-01$35.63$28.27RVU18C
2018-04-01$35.63$28.27RVU18B
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 56606 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

56606 billing questions

When should 56606 be used instead of 56605?

Use 56605 for the primary lesion biopsy. Use 56606 for each additional distinct vulvar or perineal lesion biopsied during the service.

Can 56606 be reported by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the primary biopsy procedure, 56605.

What documentation supports an additional lesion?

Document the distinct lesion sites or describe how the sampled areas differ, along with the biopsy performed at each site.

How should units be determined?

Count additional distinct lesions biopsied beyond the primary lesion. Do not count multiple samples from one lesion as additional lesions.

Is a pathology examination included in 56606?

56606 describes the biopsy procedure. Histopathology of submitted tissue is a separate service when performed and reportable by the responsible pathology provider.

Does the add-on code have its own global period?

CMS pays 56606 within the primary procedure's global period; report it only with that primary procedure.

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 56606PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,411 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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