CPT code 64488: TAP block, bilateral, injection technique2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Bilateral transversus abdominis plane block by injection provides abdominal wall regional analgesia, commonly for perioperative pain control using an injection technique.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality64.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $148.82 for 64488 in the office and $58.61 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$148.82Office (non-facility)
$58.61Hospital or facility
+0.8%vs the national office rate ($147.63)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 64488 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 64488 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 64488 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 64488 covers

A transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block places local anesthetic in the tissue plane between abdominal wall muscles to reduce sensation from the anterior abdominal wall. An anesthesiologist, pain physician, or other qualified clinician may perform the block, often with ultrasound guidance, for perioperative pain control around abdominal surgery. This code identifies a bilateral block delivered by injection rather than through a catheter for continuous infusion.

Report the code when the documented service is a bilateral TAP injection; the record should support the block’s purpose, bilateral performance, and injection technique. Medicare prices the code as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. The procedure has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When performed in the same session as other procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. 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 Houston, TX compares for 64488

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 64488 runs from $131.89 in Arkansas to $194.06 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $148.82. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

64488 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$148.82
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$152.94+$4.12
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$138.54−$10.28
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$146.24−$2.58
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$147.08−$1.74
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$146.16−$2.66
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$146.62−$2.20

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

Every other payment area

64488 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$142.25$56.04
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$166.07$58.59
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$167.98$60.95
Miami, FLFlorida$157.77$63.20
Chicago, ILIllinois$153.63$62.33
Manhattan, NYNew York$168.76$63.20
AlaskaAlaska$175.07$78.32
AlabamaAlabama$133.66$54.17

64488 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.

$131.89

$175.07

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

View every state and territory as a table
64488 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$175.071
AL$133.661
AR$131.891
AZ$144.021
CA$155.95–$194.0629
CO$153.571
CT$156.921
DC$167.981
DE$146.281
FL$145.34–$157.773
GA$137.83–$150.142
GU$159.351
HI$159.351
IA$136.901
ID$137.691
IL$141.37–$153.694
IN$138.431
KS$136.251
KY$136.431
LA$136.21–$142.402
MA$152.74–$168.052
MD$148.94–$167.983
ME$138.29–$145.272
MI$139.63–$146.962
MN$147.651
MO$134.02–$142.943
MS$132.981
MT$147.621
NC$139.631
ND$145.251
NE$137.601
NH$151.141
NJ$158.85–$166.452
NM$140.311
NV$147.061
NY$141.55–$172.495
OH$139.151
OK$136.271
OR$146.05–$158.202
PA$139.39–$153.242
PR$148.651
RI$151.301
SC$139.591
SD$144.971
TN$136.871
TX$138.54–$152.948
UT$141.351
VA$144.79–$167.982
VI$148.651
VT$144.671
WA$152.46–$171.402
WI$140.751
WV$136.541
WY$146.591

See 64488 in every payment locality

How the 64488 rate is calculated

Each of 64488’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 · 64488

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.37

1.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.93

2.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.4200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$147.63

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

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,132

Code
64488
Physician work
1.37
Practice expense
2.93
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 64488 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.37× 1.0081.3810
Practice expense2.93× 0.9932.9095
Malpractice0.12× 1.3760.1651
Total RVUs4.4556
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$148.82

Office: (1.37 × 1.008 + 2.93 × 0.993 + 0.12 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $148.82

Facility: (1.37 × 1.008 + 0.21 × 0.993 + 0.12 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $58.61

Open 64488 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 64488

The CMS indicators that decide how 64488 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 64488

TAP block, bilateral, injection technique

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)2Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%.
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

64488 without 51 · national office

$147.63

TAP block, bilateral, injection technique

64488-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$73.82

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 64488 has changed in Houston, TX

64488 · Office / nonfacility

$148.82

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $23.98 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $124.84 to $148.82 (19.2%).

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

    $124.84changed to$148.82

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.40 changed to 1.37
    • Practice expense RVU 2.25 changed to 2.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $139.90changed to$124.84

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Work RVU 1.60 changed to 1.40
    • Practice expense RVU 2.39 changed to 2.25

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $137.62changed to$139.90

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $143.82changed to$137.62

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $147.77changed to$143.82

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.44 changed to 2.43
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $148.23changed to$147.77

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.41 changed to 2.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $143.10changed to$148.23

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $139.79changed to$143.10

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.10 changed to 2.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $139.61changed to$139.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.09 changed to 2.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $143.69changed to$139.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.21 changed to 2.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $157.86changed to$143.69

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.61 changed to 2.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $157.41changed to$157.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.62 changed to 2.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $156.63changed to$157.41

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    No ratechanged to$156.63

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$148.82$58.61RVU26D
2026-07-01$148.82$58.61RVU26C
2026-04-01$148.82$58.61RVU26B
2026-01-01$148.82$58.61RVU26A
2025-10-01$124.84$60.60RVU25D
2025-07-01$124.84$60.60RVU25C
2025-04-01$124.84$60.60RVU25B
2025-01-01$124.84$60.60RVU25A
2024-10-01$139.90$70.12RVU24D
2024-07-01$139.90$70.12RVU24C
2024-04-01$139.90$70.12RVU24B
2024-03-09$139.90$70.12RVU24AR
2024-01-01$137.62$68.97RVU24A
2023-10-01$143.82$70.49RVU23D
2023-07-01$143.82$70.49RVU23C
2023-04-01$143.82$70.49RVU23B
2023-01-01$143.82$70.49RVU23A
2022-10-01$147.77$71.21RVU22D
2022-07-01$147.77$71.21RVU22C
2022-04-01$147.77$71.21RVU22B
2022-01-01$147.77$71.21RVU22A
2021-10-01$148.23$72.11RVU21D
2021-07-01$148.23$72.11RVU21C
2021-04-01$148.23$72.11RVU21B
2021-01-01$148.23$72.11RVU21A
2020-10-01$143.10$73.53RVU20D
2020-07-01$143.10$73.53RVU20C
2020-04-01$143.10$73.53RVU20B
2020-01-01$143.10$73.53RVU20A
2019-10-01$139.79$73.78RVU19D
2019-07-01$139.79$73.78RVU19C
2019-04-01$139.79$73.78RVU19B
2019-01-01$139.79$73.78RVU19A
2018-10-01$139.61$74.76RVU18D
2018-07-01$139.61$74.76RVU18C
2018-04-01$139.61$74.76RVU18B
2018-01-01$139.61$74.76RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$143.69$77.06RVU17D
2017-07-01$143.69$77.06RVU17C
2017-04-01$143.69$77.06RVU17B
2017-01-01$143.69$77.06RVU17A
2016-10-01$157.86$83.30RVU16D
2016-07-01$157.86$83.30RVU16C
2016-04-01$157.86$83.30RVU16B
2016-01-01$157.86$83.30RVU16A
2015-10-01$157.41$82.59RVU15D
2015-07-01$157.41$82.59RVU15C
2015-04-01$156.63$82.18RVU15B
2015-01-01$156.63$82.18RVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 64488 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

64488 billing questions

When should this code be chosen over 64486?

Use 64488 for a bilateral TAP block by injection. Code 64486 describes the unilateral injection service.

Is this code for a catheter-based continuous infusion?

No. It represents bilateral injection(s); 64489 is the related bilateral code for continuous infusion by catheter.

Should modifier 50 be appended?

No. Medicare prices 64488 as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.

What should the documentation identify?

Document the TAP block, that it was performed bilaterally, and that the technique was injection rather than continuous catheter infusion.

How is it paid when other procedures occur in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are paid at 50%. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in this code’s 0-day global period.

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 64488PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,132 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 64488 pays in Houston, TX?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 64488 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist