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CPT code 65779: Amniotic membrane, single layer, sutured2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South 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 South Carolina, Medicare pays $1,057.33 for 65779 in the office and $82.39 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,057.33Office (non-facility)
$82.39Hospital or facility
−7.2%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 South 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 South 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. South Carolina pays $1,057.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

65779 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$1,057.33
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,338.05+$280.72
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,335.50+$278.17
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,191.33+$134.00
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,151.82+$94.49
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,321.03+$263.70
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,236.51+$179.18

Other areas in South 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 South 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

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 65779 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.71× 1.0001.7100
Practice expense32.28× 0.92429.8267
Malpractice0.14× 0.8500.1190
Total RVUs31.6557
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$1057.33

Office: (1.71 × 1 + 32.28 × 0.924 + 0.14 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $1057.33

Facility: (1.71 × 1 + 0.69 × 0.924 + 0.14 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $82.39

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, South Carolina
Same family
65778Amniotic membrane, without suturesRelated single-layer amniotic membrane placement performed without sutures.$1,179.38
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 South Carolina

65779 · Office / nonfacility

$1057.33

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $78.89 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $978.44 to $1057.33 (8.1%).

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

    $978.44changed to$1057.33

    • 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 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1058.29changed to$978.44

    • 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

    $1041.02changed to$1058.29

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1058.21changed to$1041.02

    • 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 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1112.56changed to$1058.21

    • 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 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1166.28changed to$1112.56

    • 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

    $1133.56changed to$1166.28

    • 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 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1139.73changed to$1133.56

    • 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 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1136.84changed to$1139.73

    • 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

    $1117.95changed to$1136.84

    • 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 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1116.17changed to$1117.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 31.30 changed to 31.29
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $1143.58changed to$1116.17

    • 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

    $1137.89changed to$1143.58

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1134.35changed to$1137.89

    • 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 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $1179.02changed to$1134.35

    • 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 0.909 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: $1179.02

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,057.33$82.39RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,057.33$82.39RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,057.33$82.39RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,057.33$82.39RVU26A
2025-10-01$978.44$96.60RVU25D
2025-07-01$978.44$96.60RVU25C
2025-04-01$978.44$96.60RVU25B
2025-01-01$978.44$96.60RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,058.29$110.69RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,058.29$110.69RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,058.29$110.69RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,058.29$110.69RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,041.02$108.88RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,058.21$139.43RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,058.21$139.43RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,058.21$139.43RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,058.21$139.43RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,112.56$141.32RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,112.56$141.32RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,112.56$141.32RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,112.56$141.32RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,166.28$142.57RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,166.28$142.57RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,166.28$142.57RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,166.28$142.57RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,133.56$146.32RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,133.56$146.32RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,133.56$146.32RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,133.56$146.32RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,139.73$147.46RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,139.73$147.46RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,139.73$147.46RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,139.73$147.46RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,136.84$148.28RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,136.84$148.28RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,136.84$148.28RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,136.84$148.28RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,117.95$147.50RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,117.95$147.50RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,117.95$147.50RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,117.95$147.50RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,116.17$147.67RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,116.17$147.67RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,116.17$147.67RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,116.17$147.67RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,143.58$273.17RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,143.58$273.17RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,137.89$271.81RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,137.89$271.81RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,134.35$278.02RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,134.35$278.02RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,134.35$278.02RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,134.35$278.02RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,179.02$271.93RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,179.02$271.93RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,179.02$271.93RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,179.02$271.93RVU13AR

Price 65779 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

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 South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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