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CPT code 65779: Amniotic membrane, single layer, sutured2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports sutured placement of a single amniotic membrane layer on the ocular surface to support healing of a damaged or persistently defective surface.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality591 Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $1,066.05 for 65779 in the office and $81.61 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,066.05Office (non-facility)
$81.61Hospital or facility
−6.5%vs the national office rate ($1,139.97)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 65779 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 65779 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 65779 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 65779 covers

An ophthalmologist places one amniotic membrane layer over the ocular surface and secures it with sutures. This approach may be used for a persistent corneal epithelial defect or other ocular-surface damage when coverage is needed to support healing. The operative record should establish the ocular surface treated and that the membrane was placed as a single layer and sutured.

Select this code for sutured single-layer placement, not for a self-retaining membrane application or a multi-layer ocular surface reconstruction. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; 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 65779

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 65779 runs from $985.68 in Arkansas to $1,620.64 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $1,066.05. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

65779 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$1,066.05
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,338.05+$272.00
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,335.50+$269.45
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,191.33+$125.28
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,151.82+$85.77
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,321.03+$254.98
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,236.51+$170.46

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

Every other payment area

65779 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$1,003.17$79.93
ArkansasArkansas$985.68$79.32
ArizonaArizona$1,105.88$83.45
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,242.73$86.31
Chico, CACalifornia$1,242.28$85.85
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,242.30$85.88
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,242.28$85.85
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,242.28$85.85

65779 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.

$985.68

$1,431.46

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

View every state and territory as a table
65779 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,236.511
AL$1,003.171
AR$985.681
AZ$1,105.881
CA$1,242.28–$1,620.6429
CO$1,208.641
CT$1,225.121
DC$1,335.501
DE$1,126.851
FL$1,094.88–$1,191.333
GA$1,024.43–$1,158.332
GU$1,285.711
HI$1,285.711
IA$1,045.511
ID$1,051.251
IL$1,048.80–$1,173.094
IN$1,058.861
KS$1,034.151
KY$1,019.901
LA$1,015.79–$1,077.002
MA$1,197.08–$1,350.972
MD$1,153.10–$1,335.503
ME$1,051.95–$1,128.542
MI$1,046.77–$1,105.442
MN$1,167.951
MO$991.06–$1,088.233
MS$988.891
MT$1,139.961
NC$1,066.051
ND$1,137.201
NE$1,054.041
NH$1,183.591
NJ$1,241.90–$1,316.402
NM$1,051.421
NV$1,140.271
NY$1,084.67–$1,351.415
OH$1,046.211
OK$1,023.561
OR$1,134.27–$1,259.372
PA$1,051.30–$1,186.112
PR$1,151.761
RI$1,176.131
SC$1,057.331
SD$1,136.871
TN$1,039.691
TX$1,042.60–$1,202.098
UT$1,074.801
VA$1,120.27–$1,335.502
VI$1,151.761
VT$1,126.881
WA$1,196.74–$1,386.722
WI$1,091.451
WV$1,000.751
WY$1,138.761

See 65779 in every payment locality

How the 65779 rate is calculated

Each of 65779’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 · 65779

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.71

1.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense32.28

32.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

34.1300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,139.97

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

7,341

Code
65779
Physician work
1.71
Practice expense
32.28
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 65779 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.71× 1.0001.7100
Practice expense32.28× 0.93330.1172
Malpractice0.14× 0.6390.0895
Total RVUs31.9167
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$1066.05

Office: (1.71 × 1 + 32.28 × 0.933 + 0.14 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $1066.05

Facility: (1.71 × 1 + 0.69 × 0.933 + 0.14 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $81.61

Open 65779 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 65779

The CMS indicators that decide how 65779 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 65779

Amniotic membrane, single layer, sutured

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

65779 without 50 · national office

$1,139.97

Amniotic membrane, single layer, sutured

65779-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,709.96

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 65779

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

Codes related to 65779
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
65778Amniotic membrane, without suturesRelated single-layer amniotic membrane placement performed without sutures.$1,190.31
65780Amniotic membrane graft, multiple layersAmniotic membrane ocular surface reconstruction involving multiple layers.No office rate
Used instead
65781Ocular reconstruction, limbal stem cell allograftOcular surface reconstruction using a limbal stem cell allograft rather than a single sutured membrane layer.No office rate

How 65779 has changed in North Carolina

65779 · Office / nonfacility

$1066.05

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $75.28 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $990.77 to $1066.05 (7.6%).

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

    $990.77changed to$1066.05

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.75 changed to 1.71
    • Practice expense RVU 31.08 changed to 32.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $1071.77changed to$990.77

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 32.78 changed to 31.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1054.28changed to$1071.77

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1078.39changed to$1054.28

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work RVU 2.50 changed to 1.75
    • Practice expense RVU 31.48 changed to 32.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1141.69changed to$1078.39

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 32.68 changed to 31.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $1196.85changed to$1141.69

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 34.10 changed to 32.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.20

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1160.78changed to$1196.85

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 31.75 changed to 34.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $1162.49changed to$1160.78

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 31.82 changed to 31.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18
    • 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

    $1159.54changed to$1162.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 31.77 changed to 31.82

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1139.92changed to$1159.54

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 31.29 changed to 31.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.19
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1136.69changed to$1139.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 31.30 changed to 31.29
    • 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

    $1163.77changed to$1136.69

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 3.92 changed to 2.50
    • Practice expense RVU 30.37 changed to 31.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1157.98changed to$1163.77

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1155.96changed to$1157.98

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 30.09 changed to 30.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.29
    • 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

    $1202.86changed to$1155.96

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 33.49 changed to 30.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.54
    • 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: $1202.86

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,066.05$81.61RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,066.05$81.61RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,066.05$81.61RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,066.05$81.61RVU26A
2025-10-01$990.77$96.38RVU25D
2025-07-01$990.77$96.38RVU25C
2025-04-01$990.77$96.38RVU25B
2025-01-01$990.77$96.38RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,071.77$110.67RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,071.77$110.67RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,071.77$110.67RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,071.77$110.67RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,054.28$108.86RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,078.39$140.39RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,078.39$140.39RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,078.39$140.39RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,078.39$140.39RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,141.69$143.57RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,141.69$143.57RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,141.69$143.57RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,141.69$143.57RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,196.85$144.80RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,196.85$144.80RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,196.85$144.80RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,196.85$144.80RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,160.78$148.51RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,160.78$148.51RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,160.78$148.51RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,160.78$148.51RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,162.49$149.55RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,162.49$149.55RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,162.49$149.55RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,162.49$149.55RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,159.54$150.39RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,159.54$150.39RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,159.54$150.39RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,159.54$150.39RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,139.92$149.25RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,139.92$149.25RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,139.92$149.25RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,139.92$149.25RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,136.69$149.07RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,136.69$149.07RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,136.69$149.07RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,136.69$149.07RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,163.77$276.19RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,163.77$276.19RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,157.98$274.81RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,157.98$274.81RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,155.96$282.71RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,155.96$282.71RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,155.96$282.71RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,155.96$282.71RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,202.86$277.82RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,202.86$277.82RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,202.86$277.82RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,202.86$277.82RVU13AR

Price 65779 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

65779 billing questions

How does 65779 differ from 65778?

65779 is for a single amniotic membrane layer secured with sutures. 65778 is the corresponding placement without sutures, using a self-retaining membrane.

When is 65780 a better fit?

Use 65780 for ocular surface reconstruction involving multiple amniotic membrane layers. A single sutured layer is reported with 65779.

What documentation supports 65779?

Document the ocular surface condition treated, the single-layer membrane placement, and that the membrane was secured with sutures.

How is bilateral treatment reported?

CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document treatment of both eyes.

Can an assistant surgeon be paid?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What is included in the global period?

The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

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 65779PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,341 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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