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CPT code 57155: Brachytherapy applicator, uterine tandem and vaginal ovoids2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Placement of a uterine tandem and vaginal ovoid applicators for intracavitary brachytherapy, commonly used to treat gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancer.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $378.87 for 57155 in the office and $231.96 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$378.87Office (non-facility)
$231.96Hospital or facility
−4.7%vs the national office rate ($397.47)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 57155 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 57155 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 57155 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 57155 covers

CPT 57155 covers placement of a uterine tandem through the cervix into the uterine cavity and vaginal ovoid applicators around the cervix, when that applicator arrangement is used for intracavitary brachytherapy. A radiation oncologist or another qualified physician typically performs the placement, often in an operating room or procedure setting with anesthesia. The applicators position the radioactive source for treatment of gynecologic malignancies, including cervical cancer.

Report the placement when the documented procedure uses a uterine tandem and/or vaginal ovoids; the record should identify the applicator arrangement and its placement for brachytherapy. The code represents applicator placement, not radiation dose delivery. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one 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; co-surgeons are permitted, while team surgery is 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 South Carolina compares for 57155

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 57155 runs from $359.78 in Arkansas to $503.57 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $378.87. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

57155 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$378.87
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$438.42+$59.55
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$446.43+$67.56
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$429.75+$50.88
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$419.61+$40.74
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$451.94+$73.07
  7. Alaska · Alaska$488.35+$109.48

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

Every other payment area

57155 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$364.00$224.88
ArkansasArkansas$359.78$223.21
ArizonaArizona$388.61$234.55
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$415.23$240.98
Chico, CACalifornia$413.78$239.53
El Centro, CACalifornia$413.85$239.60
Fresno, CACalifornia$413.78$239.53
Hanford, CACalifornia$413.78$239.53

57155 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.

$359.78

$488.35

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

View every state and territory as a table
57155 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$488.351
AL$364.001
AR$359.781
AZ$388.611
CA$413.78–$503.5729
CO$409.841
CT$420.561
DC$446.431
DE$394.181
FL$395.76–$429.753
GA$377.26–$404.492
GU$420.381
HI$420.381
IA$369.981
ID$372.221
IL$387.47–$419.614
IN$373.921
KS$369.261
KY$372.361
LA$372.17–$386.912
MA$408.40–$444.262
MD$400.46–$446.433
ME$374.51–$389.872
MI$380.80–$400.512
MN$392.871
MO$367.48–$387.213
MS$363.651
MT$397.441
NC$377.561
ND$388.341
NE$371.401
NH$404.341
NJ$425.40–$443.392
NM$382.761
NV$395.121
NY$382.19–$461.905
OH$378.941
OK$371.101
OR$392.05–$420.022
PA$379.04–$412.252
PR$399.601
RI$406.071
SC$378.871
SD$387.271
TN$370.841
TX$377.08–$408.498
UT$383.041
VA$389.31–$446.432
VI$399.601
VT$387.741
WA$407.34–$451.722
WI$377.831
WV$376.001
WY$393.481

See 57155 in every payment locality

How the 57155 rate is calculated

Each of 57155’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 · 57155

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work5.02

5.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.42

6.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.46

0.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.9000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$397.47

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

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,446

Code
57155
Physician work
5.02
Practice expense
6.42
Malpractice
0.46

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 57155 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.02× 1.0005.0200
Practice expense6.42× 0.9245.9321
Malpractice0.46× 0.8500.3910
Total RVUs11.3431
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$378.87

Office: (5.02 × 1 + 6.42 × 0.924 + 0.46 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $378.87

Facility: (5.02 × 1 + 1.66 × 0.924 + 0.46 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $231.96

Open 57155 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 57155

The CMS indicators that decide how 57155 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 57155

Brachytherapy applicator, uterine tandem and vaginal ovoids

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)2Permitted.
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

57155 without 51 · national office

$397.47

Brachytherapy applicator, uterine tandem and vaginal ovoids

57155-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$198.74

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 57155

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

Codes related to 57155
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, South Carolina
Used instead
57156Brachytherapy insertion, vaginal afterloading apparatusUsed for placement of a vaginal brachytherapy device rather than a uterine tandem-and-ovoid arrangement.$212.91
Often billed with
77770HDR brachytherapy, single channel, per fractionSimple brachytherapy delivery may be reported when treatment is delivered during the same encounter.$327.32
77771HDR brachytherapy, interstitial or intracavitary, intermediateIntermediate brachytherapy delivery may accompany placement when treatment occurs in the same encounter.$573.22
77772HDR brachytherapy, more than 12 channelsComplex brachytherapy delivery may accompany placement when treatment occurs in the same encounter.$857.74

How 57155 has changed in South Carolina

57155 · Office / nonfacility

$378.87

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.05 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $371.82 to $378.87 (1.9%).

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

    $371.82changed to$378.87

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 5.15 changed to 5.02
    • Practice expense RVU 6.52 changed to 6.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.46
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $377.26changed to$371.82

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.37 changed to 6.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $371.11changed to$377.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $379.02changed to$371.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.28 changed to 6.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $377.38changed to$379.02

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.05 changed to 6.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.44
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $372.88changed to$377.38

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.80 changed to 6.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $369.79changed to$372.88

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.33 changed to 5.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $361.54changed to$369.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.08 changed to 5.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $354.77changed to$361.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.88 changed to 5.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $351.42changed to$354.77

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.77 changed to 4.88
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $413.63changed to$351.42

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 5.40 changed to 5.15
    • Practice expense RVU 6.37 changed to 4.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.46
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $411.05changed to$413.63

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.23 changed to 6.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $409.01changed to$411.05

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $404.66changed to$409.01

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.16 changed to 6.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.50
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $414.27changed to$404.66

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.18 changed to 6.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.46
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $414.27

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$378.87$231.96RVU26D
2026-07-01$378.87$231.96RVU26C
2026-04-01$378.87$231.96RVU26B
2026-01-01$378.87$231.96RVU26A
2025-10-01$371.82$268.46RVU25D
2025-07-01$371.82$268.46RVU25C
2025-04-01$371.82$268.46RVU25B
2025-01-01$371.82$268.46RVU25A
2024-10-01$377.26$271.20RVU24D
2024-07-01$377.26$271.20RVU24C
2024-04-01$377.26$271.20RVU24B
2024-03-09$377.26$271.20RVU24AR
2024-01-01$371.11$266.77RVU24A
2023-10-01$379.02$273.48RVU23D
2023-07-01$379.02$273.48RVU23C
2023-04-01$379.02$273.48RVU23B
2023-01-01$379.02$273.48RVU23A
2022-10-01$377.38$273.32RVU22D
2022-07-01$377.38$273.32RVU22C
2022-04-01$377.38$273.32RVU22B
2022-01-01$377.38$273.32RVU22A
2021-10-01$372.88$273.31RVU21D
2021-07-01$372.88$273.31RVU21C
2021-04-01$372.88$273.31RVU21B
2021-01-01$372.88$273.31RVU21A
2020-10-01$369.79$279.12RVU20D
2020-07-01$369.79$279.12RVU20C
2020-04-01$369.79$279.12RVU20B
2020-01-01$369.79$279.12RVU20A
2019-10-01$361.54$276.41RVU19D
2019-07-01$361.54$276.41RVU19C
2019-04-01$361.54$276.41RVU19B
2019-01-01$361.54$276.41RVU19A
2018-10-01$354.77$274.34RVU18D
2018-07-01$354.77$274.34RVU18C
2018-04-01$354.77$274.34RVU18B
2018-01-01$354.77$274.34RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$351.42$272.86RVU17D
2017-07-01$351.42$272.86RVU17C
2017-04-01$351.42$272.86RVU17B
2017-01-01$351.42$272.86RVU17A
2016-10-01$413.63$285.31RVU16D
2016-07-01$413.63$285.31RVU16C
2016-04-01$413.63$285.31RVU16B
2016-01-01$413.63$285.31RVU16A
2015-10-01$411.05$284.23RVU15D
2015-07-01$411.05$284.23RVU15C
2015-04-01$409.01$282.81RVU15B
2015-01-01$409.01$282.81RVU15A
2014-10-01$404.66$280.32RVU14D
2014-07-01$404.66$280.32RVU14C
2014-04-01$404.66$280.32RVU14B
2014-01-01$404.66$280.32RVU14A
2013-10-01$414.27$266.75RVU13D
2013-07-01$414.27$266.75RVU13C
2013-04-01$414.27$266.75RVU13B
2013-01-01$414.27$266.75RVU13AR

Price 57155 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

57155 billing questions

When should 57155 be chosen over 57156?

Use 57155 for placement of a uterine tandem and/or vaginal ovoids. Code 57156 describes placement of a vaginal brachytherapy device without that tandem-and-ovoid arrangement.

Does 57155 include radiation treatment delivery?

No. It reports applicator placement; report the appropriate brachytherapy delivery service separately when radiation is delivered and the requirements for that service are met.

Can modifier 50 be appended when applicators are placed on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 should not be used.

How does the 0-day global period affect same-day care?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in 57155. The code has no postoperative global days beyond the date of service.

Can an assistant surgeon report services with 57155?

CMS applies a statutory restriction to assistant-at-surgery payment for this code. Co-surgeons are permitted, but team surgery is not.

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 57155PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,446 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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