CPT code 56821: Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs
Reports magnified examination of vulvar tissue with targeted biopsy when evaluating suspicious lesions or abnormal vulvar findings.
Medicare pays $171.01 for 56821 nationally in the office and $101.20 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $151.95–$212.92.
Medicare rate · 56821
Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsy
- Work RVUs
- 2
- Total RVUs
- 5.12
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$171.01
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 56821 →Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 10 sections
What 56821 covers
Vulvar colposcopy with biopsy uses magnification and directed inspection of the vulvar surface, often after application of acetic acid, to identify abnormal epithelium and obtain tissue. Gynecologists commonly perform it in an office or outpatient setting when lesions or abnormal vulvar findings require histologic evaluation, including concern for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. The sampled tissue is sent for pathology; the code represents the examination and biopsy in the same service.
Report 56821 when the colposcopic vulvar examination includes one or more directed biopsies; use 56820 when the examination has no biopsy. Record the indication, vulvar site and appearance, colposcopic findings, biopsy locations, and specimen submission. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others are paid at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; co-surgery 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.
Where 56821 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$151.95 to $212.92
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $154.06 | $92.98 |
| Alaska | $204.66 | $130.32 |
| Arizona | $166.35 | $98.70 |
| Arkansas | $151.95 | $91.99 |
| Atlanta, GA | $175.23 | $104.30 |
| Austin, TX | $175.01 | $101.15 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $176.10 | $99.60 |
| Baltimore area, MD | $181.77 | $106.87 |
| Beaumont, TX | $161.87 | $98.35 |
| Brazoria, TX | $167.93 | $98.75 |
| Chicago, IL | $188.37 | $118.22 |
| Chico, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Colorado | $174.89 | $100.62 |
| Connecticut | $182.06 | $106.88 |
| Dallas, TX | $169.45 | $99.92 |
| Delaware | $168.97 | $100.00 |
| Detroit, MI | $176.52 | $109.15 |
| East St. Louis, IL | $176.56 | $112.34 |
| El Centro, CA | $175.11 | $98.60 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $182.46 | $111.74 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $168.70 | $99.86 |
| Fresno, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Galveston, TX | $168.72 | $99.40 |
| Hanford, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HI | $178.21 | $98.84 |
| Houston, TX | $175.68 | $106.36 |
| Idaho | $157.00 | $92.78 |
| Indiana | $157.81 | $93.10 |
| Iowa | $155.58 | $91.71 |
| Kansas | $155.93 | $92.83 |
| Kentucky | $159.78 | $97.72 |
| King County, WA | $192.80 | $107.15 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $186.23 | $103.65 |
| Madera, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Manhattan, NY | $197.55 | $116.43 |
| Marin County, CA | $208.01 | $109.59 |
| Merced, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MA | $190.11 | $106.76 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $165.14 | $99.59 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PA | $178.42 | $105.75 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $166.65 | $100.19 |
| Miami, FL | $194.17 | $121.50 |
| Minnesota | $164.73 | $92.90 |
| Mississippi | $154.98 | $94.87 |
| Modesto, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Montana | $170.99 | $101.18 |
| Napa, CA | $198.08 | $106.07 |
| Nebraska | $156.07 | $91.64 |
| Nevada | $168.98 | $99.11 |
| New Hampshire | $173.18 | $100.51 |
| New Mexico | $165.97 | $101.95 |
| New Orleans, LA | $167.34 | $101.65 |
| North Carolina | $160.30 | $95.17 |
| North Dakota | $163.47 | $93.67 |
| Northern New Jersey | $190.73 | $109.75 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY | $203.46 | $120.46 |
| Ohio | $163.15 | $99.42 |
| Oklahoma | $158.39 | $96.05 |
| Oxnard, CA | $184.75 | $102.24 |
| Portland, OR | $178.99 | $101.43 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY | $185.38 | $108.94 |
| Puerto Rico | $171.83 | $101.25 |
| Queens, NY | $197.55 | $115.04 |
| Redding, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Rest of California | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Rest of Florida | $173.37 | $106.63 |
| Rest of Georgia | $163.57 | $101.30 |
| Rest of Illinois | $170.20 | $106.46 |
| Rest of Louisiana | $159.95 | $98.17 |
| Rest of Maine | $158.89 | $94.67 |
| Rest of Maryland | $171.74 | $101.09 |
| Rest of Massachusetts | $174.36 | $100.85 |
| Rest of Michigan | $164.69 | $100.95 |
| Rest of Missouri | $158.05 | $97.88 |
| Rest of New Jersey | $183.34 | $107.11 |
| Rest of New York | $162.67 | $96.35 |
| Rest of Oregon | $166.88 | $97.35 |
| Rest of Pennsylvania | $162.81 | $98.73 |
| Rest of Texas | $165.11 | $98.87 |
| Rest of Washington | $173.70 | $100.19 |
| Rhode Island | $173.93 | $101.82 |
| Riverside, CA | $179.14 | $102.63 |
| Sacramento, CA | $182.45 | $101.26 |
| Salinas, CA | $181.75 | $100.84 |
| San Benito County, CA | $212.92 | $112.26 |
| San Diego, CA | $185.14 | $101.65 |
| San Francisco, CA | $207.58 | $109.15 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $178.98 | $99.47 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $211.16 | $110.50 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $186.20 | $101.39 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $182.19 | $100.79 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $187.99 | $102.27 |
| South Carolina | $162.15 | $97.65 |
| South Dakota | $162.58 | $92.78 |
| Southern Maine, ME | $165.51 | $96.33 |
| Stockton, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $183.75 | $112.06 |
| Tennessee | $156.81 | $93.35 |
| Utah | $164.23 | $98.61 |
| Vallejo, CA | $197.46 | $105.45 |
| Vermont | $163.83 | $94.72 |
| Virgin Islands, VI | $171.83 | $101.25 |
| Virginia | $165.73 | $97.10 |
| Visalia, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
| Washington, DC area | $192.34 | $110.11 |
| West Virginia | $164.49 | $103.83 |
| Wisconsin | $158.39 | $91.51 |
| Wyoming | $167.71 | $97.90 |
| Yuba City, CA | $175.04 | $98.54 |
56821 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$151.95
$204.66
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $204.66 | 1 |
| AL | $154.06 | 1 |
| AR | $151.95 | 1 |
| AZ | $166.35 | 1 |
| CA | $175.04–$212.92 | 29 |
| CO | $174.89 | 1 |
| CT | $182.06 | 1 |
| DC | $192.34 | 1 |
| DE | $168.97 | 1 |
| FL | $173.37–$194.17 | 3 |
| GA | $163.57–$175.23 | 2 |
| GU | $178.21 | 1 |
| HI | $178.21 | 1 |
| IA | $155.58 | 1 |
| ID | $157.00 | 1 |
| IL | $170.20–$188.37 | 4 |
| IN | $157.81 | 1 |
| KS | $155.93 | 1 |
| KY | $159.78 | 1 |
| LA | $159.95–$167.34 | 2 |
| MA | $174.36–$190.11 | 2 |
| MD | $171.74–$192.34 | 3 |
| ME | $158.89–$165.51 | 2 |
| MI | $164.69–$176.52 | 2 |
| MN | $164.73 | 1 |
| MO | $158.05–$166.65 | 3 |
| MS | $154.98 | 1 |
| MT | $170.99 | 1 |
| NC | $160.30 | 1 |
| ND | $163.47 | 1 |
| NE | $156.07 | 1 |
| NH | $173.18 | 1 |
| NJ | $183.34–$190.73 | 2 |
| NM | $165.97 | 1 |
| NV | $168.98 | 1 |
| NY | $162.67–$203.46 | 5 |
| OH | $163.15 | 1 |
| OK | $158.39 | 1 |
| OR | $166.88–$178.99 | 2 |
| PA | $162.81–$178.42 | 2 |
| PR | $171.83 | 1 |
| RI | $173.93 | 1 |
| SC | $162.15 | 1 |
| SD | $162.58 | 1 |
| TN | $156.81 | 1 |
| TX | $161.87–$175.68 | 8 |
| UT | $164.23 | 1 |
| VA | $165.73–$192.34 | 2 |
| VI | $171.83 | 1 |
| VT | $163.83 | 1 |
| WA | $173.70–$192.80 | 2 |
| WI | $158.39 | 1 |
| WV | $164.49 | 1 |
| WY | $167.71 | 1 |
How the 56821 rate is calculated
Each of 56821’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 · 56821
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.00
2.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.74
2.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.38
0.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.1200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$171.01
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 56821
The CMS indicators that decide how 56821 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 56821
Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsy
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
56821 without 51 · national office
$171.01
Vulvar colposcopy, with biopsy
56821-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$85.51
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%).
56821 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 56820Vulvar colposcopyWithout biopsy
- 56820 describes vulvar colposcopy without biopsy. Choose 56821 when the colposcopic examination includes a directed biopsy.
- 56605Vulvar biopsyFirst lesion sampled
- 56605 is a vulvar or perineal biopsy without the colposcopic service. 56821 includes colposcopic examination with biopsy.
- 57455Cervical biopsyColposcopy-guided biopsy
- 57455 is a colposcopic biopsy service for the cervix. Use 56821 when the biopsied site is vulvar tissue.
56821 billing questions
When should 56821 be chosen over 56820?
Use 56821 when the vulvar colposcopic examination includes a directed biopsy. Use 56820 for the examination without biopsy.
Is the biopsy separately reportable?
The biopsy is included in 56821 when performed as part of the vulvar colposcopic service. Do not separately report a vulvar biopsy code for that same biopsy.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 is not appropriate.
How does CMS handle other procedures performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures in the session are paid at 50% under the standard multiple-procedure reduction.
What documentation supports reporting 56821?
Document the reason for examination, vulvar findings and biopsy site or sites, and that tissue was obtained and submitted for pathology.
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
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