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CPT code 56820: Vulvar colposcopy, without biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in King County, WA

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 King County, WA, Medicare pays $144.64 for 56820 in the office and $80.29 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$144.64Office (non-facility)
$80.29Hospital or facility
+13.1%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 King County, WA
  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 King County, WA 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. King County, WA pays $144.64. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

56820 in King County, WA vs other payment areas
  1. King County, WA · this page$144.64
  2. Rest of Washington · Washington$130.12−$14.52
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$139.73−$4.91
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$144.06−$0.58
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$144.59−$0.05
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$140.30−$4.34
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$147.69+$3.05

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

Every other payment area

56820 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$152.82$96.97
AlabamaAlabama$115.24$69.36
ArkansasArkansas$113.66$68.62
ArizonaArizona$124.45$73.64
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$132.06$74.59
Chico, CACalifornia$131.30$73.83
El Centro, CACalifornia$131.35$73.88
Fresno, CACalifornia$131.30$73.83

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 King County, WA 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

108

Locality
King County, WA
Physician work
1.050
Practice expense
1.227
Malpractice
0.817
Office calculation for 56820 in King County, WA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.46× 1.0501.5330
Practice expense2.10× 1.2272.5767
Malpractice0.27× 0.8170.2206
Total RVUs4.3303
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, King County, WA$144.64

Office: (1.46 × 1.05 + 2.1 × 1.227 + 0.27 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $144.64

Facility: (1.46 × 1.05 + 0.53 × 1.227 + 0.27 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $80.29

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, King County, WA
Same family
56821Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsyVulvar colposcopy when a biopsy is performed.$192.80
Used instead
57420Vaginal colposcopy, without vaginal biopsyColposcopic examination when the site evaluated is the vagina.$155.52
57421Colposcopy, entire vagina with biopsyVaginal colposcopy with biopsy when tissue is sampled.$204.89

How 56820 has changed in King County, WA

56820 · Office / nonfacility

$144.64

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.30 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $137.34 to $144.64 (5.3%).

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

    $137.34changed to$144.64

    • 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 1.043 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.227
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.817

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $142.14changed to$137.34

    • 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

    $139.82changed to$142.14

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $142.34changed to$139.82

    • 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 1.039 changed to 1.043
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.220
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.815 changed to 0.853

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $142.72changed to$142.34

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.02
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.039
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.207
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.776 changed to 0.815

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $139.19changed to$142.72

    • 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

    $134.57changed to$139.19

    • 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 1.031 changed to 1.036
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.170 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.854 changed to 0.776

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $127.17changed to$134.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.54 changed to 1.69
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.031
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.146 changed to 1.170
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.854

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $123.73changed to$127.17

    • 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

    $121.68changed to$123.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.151 changed to 1.146
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.713 changed to 0.931

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $119.27changed to$121.68

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.46
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.155 changed to 1.151
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.495 changed to 0.713

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $119.70changed to$119.27

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $119.10changed to$119.70

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $120.97changed to$119.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.150 changed to 1.155
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.688 changed to 0.495

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $121.21changed to$120.97

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.144 changed to 1.150
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.881 changed to 0.688

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $121.21

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$144.64$80.29RVU26D
2026-07-01$144.64$80.29RVU26C
2026-04-01$144.64$80.29RVU26B
2026-01-01$144.64$80.29RVU26A
2025-10-01$137.34$88.40RVU25D
2025-07-01$137.34$88.40RVU25C
2025-04-01$137.34$88.40RVU25B
2025-01-01$137.34$88.40RVU25A
2024-10-01$142.14$90.57RVU24D
2024-07-01$142.14$90.57RVU24C
2024-04-01$142.14$90.57RVU24B
2024-03-09$142.14$90.57RVU24AR
2024-01-01$139.82$89.09RVU24A
2023-10-01$142.34$91.21RVU23D
2023-07-01$142.34$91.21RVU23C
2023-04-01$142.34$91.21RVU23B
2023-01-01$142.34$91.21RVU23A
2022-10-01$142.72$91.07RVU22D
2022-07-01$142.72$91.07RVU22C
2022-04-01$142.72$91.07RVU22B
2022-01-01$142.72$91.07RVU22A
2021-10-01$139.19$91.28RVU21D
2021-07-01$139.19$91.28RVU21C
2021-04-01$139.19$91.28RVU21B
2021-01-01$139.19$91.28RVU21A
2020-10-01$134.57$94.03RVU20D
2020-07-01$134.57$94.03RVU20C
2020-04-01$134.57$94.03RVU20B
2020-01-01$134.57$94.03RVU20A
2019-10-01$127.17$93.31RVU19D
2019-07-01$127.17$93.31RVU19C
2019-04-01$127.17$93.31RVU19B
2019-01-01$127.17$93.31RVU19A
2018-10-01$123.73$93.62RVU18D
2018-07-01$123.73$93.62RVU18C
2018-04-01$123.73$93.62RVU18B
2018-01-01$123.73$93.62RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$121.68$92.35RVU17D
2017-07-01$121.68$92.35RVU17C
2017-04-01$121.68$92.35RVU17B
2017-01-01$121.68$92.35RVU17A
2016-10-01$119.27$89.90RVU16D
2016-07-01$119.27$89.90RVU16C
2016-04-01$119.27$89.90RVU16B
2016-01-01$119.27$89.90RVU16A
2015-10-01$119.70$90.23RVU15D
2015-07-01$119.70$90.23RVU15C
2015-04-01$119.10$89.78RVU15B
2015-01-01$119.10$89.78RVU15A
2014-10-01$120.97$91.72RVU14D
2014-07-01$120.97$91.72RVU14C
2014-04-01$120.97$91.72RVU14B
2014-01-01$120.97$91.72RVU14A
2013-10-01$121.21$91.24RVU13D
2013-07-01$121.21$91.24RVU13C
2013-04-01$121.21$91.24RVU13B
2013-01-01$121.21$91.24RVU13AR

Price 56820 for an earlier date of service

Where the King County, WA rate applies

King County, WA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 63 cities and communities in Washington. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Seattle
  • Algona
  • Ames Lake
  • 56820 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
  • Baring
  • Beaux Arts Village
  • Bellevue
  • Black Diamond

Browse all communities in Washington

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 King County, WAGPCI2026.csv, line 108 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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