CPT code 59000: Amniocentesis, diagnostic fluid sampling2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Percutaneous amniotic fluid collection for prenatal diagnostic testing, such as evaluation of fetal chromosomes, genetic conditions, or infection.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality59 Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $110.38 for 59000 in the office and $66.75 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$110.38Office (non-facility)
$66.75Hospital or facility
−7.7%vs the national office rate ($119.58)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 59000 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 59000 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 59000 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 59000 covers

An obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine specialist uses a needle passed through the maternal abdomen and uterine wall to collect amniotic fluid. Ultrasound commonly helps locate the fluid pocket and avoid the fetus and placenta. The sample is sent for diagnostic laboratory testing, such as chromosome or genetic analysis or evaluation for fetal infection. The procedure is performed in an office or facility setting where prenatal diagnostic sampling is provided.

Report 59000 for diagnostic fluid collection, not for fluid removal intended to treat a condition. The record should identify the diagnostic indication, the sampling procedure, and the specimen obtained; laboratory analysis is separately represented. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; co-surgeons 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.

How North Carolina compares for 59000

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 59000 runs from $103.99 in Arkansas to $146.02 in NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY. North Carolina pays $110.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

59000 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$110.38
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$128.33+$17.95
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$134.71+$24.33
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$143.12+$32.74
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$137.92+$27.54
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$140.60+$30.22
  7. Alaska · Alaska$138.76+$28.38

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

Every other payment area

59000 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$105.70$64.78
ArkansasArkansas$103.99$63.82
ArizonaArizona$115.64$70.32
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$121.12$69.87
Chico, CACalifornia$120.03$68.78
El Centro, CACalifornia$120.10$68.85
Fresno, CACalifornia$120.03$68.78
Hanford, CACalifornia$120.03$68.78

59000 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.

$103.99

$138.76

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

View every state and territory as a table
59000 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$138.761
AL$105.701
AR$103.991
AZ$115.641
CA$120.03–$145.9429
CO$121.151
CT$128.191
DC$134.711
DE$117.641
FL$123.67–$143.123
GA$115.35–$123.472
GU$122.501
HI$122.501
IA$105.921
ID$107.281
IL$121.76–$137.924
IN$107.901
KS$106.691
KY$111.371
LA$111.70–$117.692
MA$120.84–$132.122
MD$119.64–$134.713
ME$109.32–$113.952
MI$115.82–$126.752
MN$111.771
MO$110.46–$116.563
MS$107.181
MT$119.551
NC$110.381
ND$111.441
NE$106.171
NH$120.471
NJ$128.44–$133.332
NM$117.061
NV$117.351
NY$112.33–$146.025
OH$114.161
OK$109.731
OR$115.25–$123.792
PA$113.62–$125.582
PR$120.071
RI$121.001
SC$112.701
SD$110.481
TN$107.461
TX$112.89–$124.628
UT$114.371
VA$114.47–$134.712
VI$120.071
VT$112.181
WA$120.22–$133.602
WI$107.431
WV$117.161
WY$116.011

See 59000 in every payment locality

How the 59000 rate is calculated

Each of 59000’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 · 59000

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.27

1.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.90

1.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.41

0.41 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.5800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$119.58

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,624

Code
59000
Physician work
1.27
Practice expense
1.90
Malpractice
0.41

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 59000 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.27× 1.0001.2700
Practice expense1.90× 0.9331.7727
Malpractice0.41× 0.6390.2620
Total RVUs3.3047
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$110.38

Office: (1.27 × 1 + 1.9 × 0.933 + 0.41 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $110.38

Facility: (1.27 × 1 + 0.5 × 0.933 + 0.41 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $66.75

Open 59000 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 59000

The CMS indicators that decide how 59000 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 59000

Amniocentesis, diagnostic fluid sampling

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

59000 without 51 · national office

$119.58

Amniocentesis, diagnostic fluid sampling

59000-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$59.79

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

How 59000 has changed in North Carolina

59000 · Office / nonfacility

$110.38

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.23 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $106.15 to $110.38 (4.0%).

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

    $106.15changed to$110.38

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.30 changed to 1.27
    • Practice expense RVU 1.86 changed to 1.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.41
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $109.77changed to$106.15

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.87 changed to 1.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $107.98changed to$109.77

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $111.41changed to$107.98

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.84 changed to 1.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $112.96changed to$111.41

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.79 changed to 1.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $114.98changed to$112.96

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.85 changed to 1.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.37

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $117.56changed to$114.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.82 changed to 1.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $118.78changed to$117.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 1.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $121.50changed to$118.78

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 1.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $121.15changed to$121.50

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.97 changed to 1.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $121.22changed to$121.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $121.93changed to$121.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $121.32changed to$121.93

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $120.64changed to$121.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.95 changed to 1.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $120.79changed to$120.64

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 1.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $120.79

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$110.38$66.75RVU26D
2026-07-01$110.38$66.75RVU26C
2026-04-01$110.38$66.75RVU26B
2026-01-01$110.38$66.75RVU26A
2025-10-01$106.15$72.31RVU25D
2025-07-01$106.15$72.31RVU25C
2025-04-01$106.15$72.31RVU25B
2025-01-01$106.15$72.31RVU25A
2024-10-01$109.77$74.63RVU24D
2024-07-01$109.77$74.63RVU24C
2024-04-01$109.77$74.63RVU24B
2024-03-09$109.77$74.63RVU24AR
2024-01-01$107.98$73.41RVU24A
2023-10-01$111.41$76.23RVU23D
2023-07-01$111.41$76.23RVU23C
2023-04-01$111.41$76.23RVU23B
2023-01-01$111.41$76.23RVU23A
2022-10-01$112.96$77.63RVU22D
2022-07-01$112.96$77.63RVU22C
2022-04-01$112.96$77.63RVU22B
2022-01-01$112.96$77.63RVU22A
2021-10-01$114.98$77.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$114.98$77.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$114.98$77.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$114.98$77.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$117.56$79.30RVU20D
2020-07-01$117.56$79.30RVU20C
2020-04-01$117.56$79.30RVU20B
2020-01-01$117.56$79.30RVU20A
2019-10-01$118.78$78.52RVU19D
2019-07-01$118.78$78.52RVU19C
2019-04-01$118.78$78.52RVU19B
2019-01-01$118.78$78.52RVU19A
2018-10-01$121.50$78.27RVU18D
2018-07-01$121.50$78.27RVU18C
2018-04-01$121.50$78.27RVU18B
2018-01-01$121.50$78.27RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$121.15$79.38RVU17D
2017-07-01$121.15$79.38RVU17C
2017-04-01$121.15$79.38RVU17B
2017-01-01$121.15$79.38RVU17A
2016-10-01$121.22$79.26RVU16D
2016-07-01$121.22$79.26RVU16C
2016-04-01$121.22$79.26RVU16B
2016-01-01$121.22$79.26RVU16A
2015-10-01$121.93$79.82RVU15D
2015-07-01$121.93$79.82RVU15C
2015-04-01$121.32$79.43RVU15B
2015-01-01$121.32$79.43RVU15A
2014-10-01$120.64$79.38RVU14D
2014-07-01$120.64$79.38RVU14C
2014-04-01$120.64$79.38RVU14B
2014-01-01$120.64$79.38RVU14A
2013-10-01$120.79$77.26RVU13D
2013-07-01$120.79$77.26RVU13C
2013-04-01$120.79$77.26RVU13B
2013-01-01$120.79$77.26RVU13AR

Price 59000 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

59000 billing questions

How does 59000 differ from therapeutic amniocentesis?

Use 59000 when fluid is collected for diagnosis. Code 59001 describes amniotic fluid removal for a therapeutic purpose.

Is ultrasound guidance included in 59000?

Ultrasound is commonly used to guide needle placement. When guidance is performed and documented, 76946 may be reported separately, subject to applicable coding edits.

Can modifier 50 be used for sampling from both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 59000. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What documentation supports reporting 59000?

Document the diagnostic reason for sampling, the amniocentesis performed, and the fluid specimen obtained. Keep the diagnostic purpose distinct from therapeutic fluid removal.

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 59000PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,624 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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