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CPT code 56820: Vulvar colposcopy, without biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Brazoria, TX

A clinician examines vulvar tissue under magnification to assess visible abnormalities when a diagnostic colposcopic evaluation is needed and no biopsy is taken.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality6.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Brazoria, TX, Medicare pays $125.70 for 56820 in the office and $73.73 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$125.70Office (non-facility)
$73.73Hospital or facility
−1.7%vs the national office rate ($127.93)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 56820 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 56820 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Brazoria, TX
  2. What 56820 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 56820 covers

This service is a focused, magnified examination of the vulvar skin and mucosa, typically performed by a gynecologist or another qualified clinician in an office or outpatient setting. It may be used to assess a visible lesion, persistent color or texture change, or another finding that warrants closer evaluation. The examination helps characterize the affected area; tissue sampling is not part of this code.

Report it when the documented service is vulvar colposcopy without biopsy. The record should identify the clinical reason for the examination, the area examined, and the findings; if a biopsy is performed as part of the colposcopic service, use the biopsy-inclusive sibling code 56821 instead. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is 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 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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 Brazoria, TX compares for 56820

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 56820 runs from $113.66 in Arkansas to $160.11 in San Benito County, CA. Brazoria, TX pays $125.70. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

56820 in Brazoria, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Brazoria, TX · this page$125.70
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$131.06+$5.36
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$120.97−$4.73
  4. Dallas, TX · Texas$126.80+$1.10
  5. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$126.22+$0.52
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$126.27+$0.57
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$131.22+$5.52

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

Every other payment area

56820 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$123.47$73.71
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$139.73$77.69
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$144.06$82.29
Miami, FLFlorida$144.59$90.00
Chicago, ILIllinois$140.30$87.59
Manhattan, NYNew York$147.69$86.76
AlaskaAlaska$152.82$96.97
AlabamaAlabama$115.24$69.36

56820 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.

$113.66

$152.82

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

View every state and territory as a table
56820 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$152.821
AL$115.241
AR$113.661
AZ$124.451
CA$131.30–$160.1129
CO$131.021
CT$136.201
DC$144.061
DE$126.421
FL$129.38–$144.593
GA$122.08–$131.012
GU$133.741
HI$133.741
IA$116.531
ID$117.561
IL$126.90–$140.304
IN$118.171
KS$116.721
KY$119.371
LA$119.48–$125.012
MA$130.59–$142.542
MD$128.52–$144.063
ME$118.91–$123.972
MI$122.99–$131.662
MN$123.611
MO$118.01–$124.583
MS$115.821
MT$127.911
NC$119.971
ND$122.571
NE$116.921
NH$129.671
NJ$137.20–$142.832
NM$123.921
NV$126.491
NY$121.74–$152.035
OH$121.901
OK$118.411
OR$124.97–$134.182
PA$121.68–$133.422
PR$128.561
RI$130.191
SC$121.241
SD$121.941
TN$117.371
TX$120.97–$131.228
UT$122.801
VA$124.08–$144.062
VI$128.561
VT$122.771
WA$130.12–$144.642
WI$118.741
WV$122.621
WY$125.581

See 56820 in every payment locality

How the 56820 rate is calculated

Each of 56820’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 · 56820

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.46

1.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.10

2.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.27

0.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.8300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$127.93

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

The exact Brazoria, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,426

Code
56820
Physician work
1.46
Practice expense
2.10
Malpractice
0.27

GPCI2026.csv

98

Locality
Brazoria, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.991
Malpractice
0.780
Office calculation for 56820 in Brazoria, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.46× 1.0081.4717
Practice expense2.10× 0.9912.0811
Malpractice0.27× 0.7800.2106
Total RVUs3.7634
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Brazoria, TX$125.70

Office: (1.46 × 1.008 + 2.1 × 0.991 + 0.27 × 0.78) × $33.4009 = $125.70

Facility: (1.46 × 1.008 + 0.53 × 0.991 + 0.27 × 0.78) × $33.4009 = $73.73

Open 56820 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 56820

The CMS indicators that decide how 56820 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 56820

Vulvar colposcopy, without biopsy

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

56820 without 51 · national office

$127.93

Vulvar colposcopy, without biopsy

56820-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$63.97

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 56820

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

Codes related to 56820
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Brazoria, TX
Same family
56821Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsyVulvar colposcopy when a biopsy is performed.$167.93
Used instead
57420Vaginal colposcopy, without vaginal biopsyColposcopic examination when the site evaluated is the vagina.$135.14
57421Colposcopy, entire vagina with biopsyVaginal colposcopy with biopsy when tissue is sampled.$178.66

How 56820 has changed in Brazoria, TX

56820 · Office / nonfacility

$125.70

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.27 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $121.43 to $125.70 (3.5%).

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

    $121.43changed to$125.70

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.50 changed to 1.46
    • Practice expense RVU 2.03 changed to 2.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.795 changed to 0.780

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $125.63changed to$121.43

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.05 changed to 2.03

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $123.58changed to$125.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $127.11changed to$123.58

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.02 changed to 2.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.673 changed to 0.795

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $128.78changed to$127.11

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.02
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.550 changed to 0.673

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $125.89changed to$128.78

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 1.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $123.16changed to$125.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.69 changed to 1.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.023
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.550

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $117.73changed to$123.16

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.54 changed to 1.69
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.839 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $114.73changed to$117.73

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.46 changed to 1.54

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $114.72changed to$114.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.994 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.839

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $114.33changed to$114.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.46
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.994
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $114.74changed to$114.33

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $114.17changed to$114.74

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $114.27changed to$114.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.989 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $112.38changed to$114.27

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.57 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.987 changed to 0.989
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $112.38

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$125.70$73.73RVU26D
2026-07-01$125.70$73.73RVU26C
2026-04-01$125.70$73.73RVU26B
2026-01-01$125.70$73.73RVU26A
2025-10-01$121.43$81.08RVU25D
2025-07-01$121.43$81.08RVU25C
2025-04-01$121.43$81.08RVU25B
2025-01-01$121.43$81.08RVU25A
2024-10-01$125.63$83.10RVU24D
2024-07-01$125.63$83.10RVU24C
2024-04-01$125.63$83.10RVU24B
2024-03-09$125.63$83.10RVU24AR
2024-01-01$123.58$81.75RVU24A
2023-10-01$127.11$84.16RVU23D
2023-07-01$127.11$84.16RVU23C
2023-04-01$127.11$84.16RVU23B
2023-01-01$127.11$84.16RVU23A
2022-10-01$128.78$84.53RVU22D
2022-07-01$128.78$84.53RVU22C
2022-04-01$128.78$84.53RVU22B
2022-01-01$128.78$84.53RVU22A
2021-10-01$125.89$84.84RVU21D
2021-07-01$125.89$84.84RVU21C
2021-04-01$125.89$84.84RVU21B
2021-01-01$125.89$84.84RVU21A
2020-10-01$123.16$88.17RVU20D
2020-07-01$123.16$88.17RVU20C
2020-04-01$123.16$88.17RVU20B
2020-01-01$123.16$88.17RVU20A
2019-10-01$117.73$88.27RVU19D
2019-07-01$117.73$88.27RVU19C
2019-04-01$117.73$88.27RVU19B
2019-01-01$117.73$88.27RVU19A
2018-10-01$114.73$88.53RVU18D
2018-07-01$114.73$88.53RVU18C
2018-04-01$114.73$88.53RVU18B
2018-01-01$114.73$88.53RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$114.72$89.39RVU17D
2017-07-01$114.72$89.39RVU17C
2017-04-01$114.72$89.39RVU17B
2017-01-01$114.72$89.39RVU17A
2016-10-01$114.33$89.16RVU16D
2016-07-01$114.33$89.16RVU16C
2016-04-01$114.33$89.16RVU16B
2016-01-01$114.33$89.16RVU16A
2015-10-01$114.74$89.49RVU15D
2015-07-01$114.74$89.49RVU15C
2015-04-01$114.17$89.04RVU15B
2015-01-01$114.17$89.04RVU15A
2014-10-01$114.27$89.11RVU14D
2014-07-01$114.27$89.11RVU14C
2014-04-01$114.27$89.11RVU14B
2014-01-01$114.27$89.11RVU14A
2013-10-01$112.38$86.52RVU13D
2013-07-01$112.38$86.52RVU13C
2013-04-01$112.38$86.52RVU13B
2013-01-01$112.38$86.52RVU13AR

Price 56820 for an earlier date of service

Where the Brazoria, TX rate applies

Brazoria, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 28 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Brazoria
  • Alvin
  • Angleton
  • Bailey's Prairie
  • Bonney
  • Brookside Village
  • Clute
  • Damon

Browse all communities in Texas

56820 billing questions

When should 56820 be used instead of 56821?

Use 56820 for vulvar colposcopic examination without biopsy. When tissue is sampled during the examination, report 56821, the biopsy-inclusive sibling.

Can a separate vulvar biopsy code be reported with 56820?

56820 describes the colposcopic examination without biopsy. If biopsy is performed during that examination, use 56821 rather than reporting 56820 as the no-biopsy service.

What documentation supports 56820?

Document the reason for examining the vulva, the area evaluated, the colposcopic findings, and whether tissue was sampled.

Does the service have a global period?

It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

How does the multiple-procedure rule affect payment?

For procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

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

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and 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 56820PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,426 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Brazoria, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 98 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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