CPT code 59000: Amniocentesis, diagnostic fluid sampling2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Percutaneous amniotic fluid collection for prenatal diagnostic testing, such as evaluation of fetal chromosomes, genetic conditions, or infection.
Medicare pays $115.25–$123.79 for 59000 in the office in Oregon, from Rest of Oregon to Portland, OR. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 9 sections
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.
Where 59000 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $123.79 | $71.84 |
| Rest of Oregon | $115.25 | $68.68 |
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
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.
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
| 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
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%).
59000 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 59001AmniocentesisTherapeutic fluid reduction
- Choose 59000 when amniotic fluid is collected for diagnostic testing; 59001 is for therapeutic fluid removal.
- 59015Chorionic villus samplingPlacental tissue sampling
- 59015 represents chorionic tissue sampling for prenatal diagnosis; 59000 obtains amniotic fluid.
- 59012CordocentesisPrenatal fetal blood sampling
- 59012 represents prenatal fetal cord puncture for blood sampling, not collection of amniotic fluid.
- 76946Amniocentesis guidanceUltrasound needle guidance
- 76946 represents ultrasound guidance and its imaging supervision and interpretation; 59000 represents the diagnostic fluid collection.
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
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