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CPT code 56820: Vulvar colposcopy, without biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX, Medicare pays $126.22 for 56820 in the office and $74.51 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$126.22Office (non-facility)
$74.51Hospital or facility
−1.3%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 Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, 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. Fort Worth, TX pays $126.22. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

56820 in Fort Worth, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Fort Worth, TX · this page$126.22
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$131.06+$4.84
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$120.97−$5.25
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$125.70−$0.52
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$126.80+$0.58
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$126.27+$0.05
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$131.22+$5.00

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 Fort Worth, 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

100

Locality
Fort Worth, TX
Physician work
1.009
Practice expense
0.986
Malpractice
0.871
Office calculation for 56820 in Fort Worth, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.46× 1.0091.4731
Practice expense2.10× 0.9862.0706
Malpractice0.27× 0.8710.2352
Total RVUs3.7789
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Fort Worth, TX$126.22

Office: (1.46 × 1.009 + 2.1 × 0.986 + 0.27 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $126.22

Facility: (1.46 × 1.009 + 0.53 × 0.986 + 0.27 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $74.51

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, Fort Worth, TX
Same family
56821Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsyVulvar colposcopy when a biopsy is performed.$168.70
Used instead
57420Vaginal colposcopy, without vaginal biopsyColposcopic examination when the site evaluated is the vagina.$135.73
57421Colposcopy, entire vagina with biopsyVaginal colposcopy with biopsy when tissue is sampled.$179.52

How 56820 has changed in Fort Worth, TX

56820 · Office / nonfacility

$126.22

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.63 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $121.59 to $126.22 (3.8%).

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

    $121.59changed to$126.22

    • 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 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.998 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.871

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $125.79changed to$121.59

    • 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

    $123.74changed to$125.79

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $125.78changed to$123.74

    • 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 1.013 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.996 changed to 0.998
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.721 changed to 0.902

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $125.93changed to$125.78

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.02
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.013
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.721

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $123.12changed to$125.93

    • 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

    $120.74changed to$123.12

    • 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 1.011 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $115.62changed to$120.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.54 changed to 1.69
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $112.65changed to$115.62

    • 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

    $112.63changed to$112.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.760 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $112.27changed to$112.63

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.46
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.772 changed to 0.760

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $112.67changed to$112.27

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $112.11changed to$112.67

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $112.27changed to$112.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.987 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.799 changed to 0.772

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $110.64changed to$112.27

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.979 changed to 0.987
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.799

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $110.64

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$126.22$74.51RVU26D
2026-07-01$126.22$74.51RVU26C
2026-04-01$126.22$74.51RVU26B
2026-01-01$126.22$74.51RVU26A
2025-10-01$121.59$81.56RVU25D
2025-07-01$121.59$81.56RVU25C
2025-04-01$121.59$81.56RVU25B
2025-01-01$121.59$81.56RVU25A
2024-10-01$125.79$83.60RVU24D
2024-07-01$125.79$83.60RVU24C
2024-04-01$125.79$83.60RVU24B
2024-03-09$125.79$83.60RVU24AR
2024-01-01$123.74$82.23RVU24A
2023-10-01$125.78$83.59RVU23D
2023-07-01$125.78$83.59RVU23C
2023-04-01$125.78$83.59RVU23B
2023-01-01$125.78$83.59RVU23A
2022-10-01$125.93$82.88RVU22D
2022-07-01$125.93$82.88RVU22C
2022-04-01$125.93$82.88RVU22B
2022-01-01$125.93$82.88RVU22A
2021-10-01$123.12$83.19RVU21D
2021-07-01$123.12$83.19RVU21C
2021-04-01$123.12$83.19RVU21B
2021-01-01$123.12$83.19RVU21A
2020-10-01$120.74$86.41RVU20D
2020-07-01$120.74$86.41RVU20C
2020-04-01$120.74$86.41RVU20B
2020-01-01$120.74$86.41RVU20A
2019-10-01$115.62$86.48RVU19D
2019-07-01$115.62$86.48RVU19C
2019-04-01$115.62$86.48RVU19B
2019-01-01$115.62$86.48RVU19A
2018-10-01$112.65$86.74RVU18D
2018-07-01$112.65$86.74RVU18C
2018-04-01$112.65$86.74RVU18B
2018-01-01$112.65$86.74RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$112.63$87.38RVU17D
2017-07-01$112.63$87.38RVU17C
2017-04-01$112.63$87.38RVU17B
2017-01-01$112.63$87.38RVU17A
2016-10-01$112.27$86.97RVU16D
2016-07-01$112.27$86.97RVU16C
2016-04-01$112.27$86.97RVU16B
2016-01-01$112.27$86.97RVU16A
2015-10-01$112.67$87.29RVU15D
2015-07-01$112.67$87.29RVU15C
2015-04-01$112.11$86.85RVU15B
2015-01-01$112.11$86.85RVU15A
2014-10-01$112.27$87.16RVU14D
2014-07-01$112.27$87.16RVU14C
2014-04-01$112.27$87.16RVU14B
2014-01-01$112.27$87.16RVU14A
2013-10-01$110.64$84.99RVU13D
2013-07-01$110.64$84.99RVU13C
2013-04-01$110.64$84.99RVU13B
2013-01-01$110.64$84.99RVU13AR

Price 56820 for an earlier date of service

Where the Fort Worth, TX rate applies

Fort Worth, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 45 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

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 Fort Worth, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 100 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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