FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 65800: Eye paracentesis, aqueous removal2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Anterior chamber paracentesis removes aqueous humor, commonly to reduce elevated eye pressure or obtain a sample for diagnostic testing.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality12.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $122.01 for 65800 in the office and $72.93 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$122.01Office (non-facility)
$72.93Hospital or facility
+1.2%vs the national office rate ($120.58)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 65800 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 65800 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 65800 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 65800 covers

Code 65800 describes entry into the eye’s anterior chamber to withdraw aqueous humor. Ophthalmologists may perform it to lower elevated pressure, including in an acute pressure crisis, or to collect aqueous for diagnostic analysis. The procedure may be done in an office or facility setting and is distinct from removing vitreous or performing a more extensive glaucoma operation.

Report the code when the documented service is anterior chamber paracentesis with aqueous removal. Record the treated eye, clinical reason, procedure performed, and whether a specimen was collected. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. For bilateral services, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 65800

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 65800 runs from $109.21 in Arkansas to $153.72 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $122.01. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

65800 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$122.01
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$124.09+$2.08
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$114.28−$7.73
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$119.49−$2.52
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$120.19−$1.82
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$119.57−$2.44
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$119.82−$2.19

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

Every other payment area

65800 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$116.78$69.87
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$133.50$75.02
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$135.61$77.38
Miami, FLFlorida$129.44$77.98
Chicago, ILIllinois$126.45$76.77
Manhattan, NYNew York$136.93$79.49
AlaskaAlaska$148.00$95.36
AlabamaAlabama$110.49$67.23

65800 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.

$109.21

$148.00

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

View every state and territory as a table
65800 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$148.001
AL$110.491
AR$109.211
AZ$117.931
CA$125.98–$153.7229
CO$124.571
CT$127.561
DC$135.611
DE$119.621
FL$119.65–$129.443
GA$114.13–$122.602
GU$128.041
HI$128.041
IA$112.481
ID$113.121
IL$117.02–$126.454
IN$113.641
KS$112.181
KY$112.821
LA$112.73–$117.182
MA$124.10–$135.142
MD$121.55–$135.613
ME$113.72–$118.502
MI$115.28–$120.992
MN$119.691
MO$111.25–$117.383
MS$110.251
MT$120.571
NC$114.651
ND$118.201
NE$112.941
NH$122.821
NJ$129.10–$134.672
NM$115.841
NV$119.971
NY$116.05–$139.825
OH$114.801
OK$112.541
OR$119.12–$127.762
PA$114.88–$124.992
PR$121.251
RI$123.291
SC$114.901
SD$117.921
TN$112.641
TX$114.28–$124.098
UT$116.161
VA$118.26–$135.612
VI$121.251
VT$117.931
WA$123.81–$137.502
WI$115.001
WV$113.551
WY$119.541

See 65800 in every payment locality

How the 65800 rate is calculated

Each of 65800’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 · 65800

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.49

1.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.00

2.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.6100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$120.58

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

7,346

Code
65800
Physician work
1.49
Practice expense
2.00
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 65800 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.49× 1.0081.5019
Practice expense2.00× 0.9931.9860
Malpractice0.12× 1.3760.1651
Total RVUs3.6530
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$122.01

Office: (1.49 × 1.008 + 2 × 0.993 + 0.12 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $122.01

Facility: (1.49 × 1.008 + 0.52 × 0.993 + 0.12 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $72.93

Open 65800 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 65800

The CMS indicators that decide how 65800 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 65800

Eye paracentesis, aqueous removal

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)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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

65800 without 50 · national office

$120.58

Eye paracentesis, aqueous removal

65800-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$180.87

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 65800

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

Codes related to 65800
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Same family
65810Eye drainage, anterior vitreous removalRelated anterior chamber paracentesis code; distinguish by the documented service, including medication injection.No office rate
65815Eye drainage, with chamber replacementAnterior approach paracentesis involving vitreous removal rather than aqueous removal.$646.62
Used instead
65820Goniotomy, angle incisionGoniotomy is a different glaucoma procedure that treats outflow through the angle.No office rate

How 65800 has changed in Houston, TX

65800 · Office / nonfacility

$122.01

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.93 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $118.08 to $122.01 (3.3%).

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

    $118.08changed to$122.01

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.53 changed to 1.49
    • Practice expense RVU 1.91 changed to 2.00
    • 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

    $121.04changed to$118.08

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $119.07changed to$121.04

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $122.80changed to$119.07

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 1.91
    • 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

    $123.23changed to$122.80

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.83 changed to 1.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • 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

    $124.52changed to$123.23

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.82 changed to 1.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $124.72changed to$124.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.75 changed to 1.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 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

    $124.87changed to$124.72

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.78 changed to 1.75
    • 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

    $124.74changed to$124.87

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $122.39changed to$124.74

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.73 changed to 1.78
    • 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

    $121.90changed to$122.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • 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

    $122.34changed to$121.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $121.73changed to$122.34

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $124.86changed to$121.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $123.52changed to$124.86

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.88 changed to 1.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $123.52

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$122.01$72.93RVU26D
2026-07-01$122.01$72.93RVU26C
2026-04-01$122.01$72.93RVU26B
2026-01-01$122.01$72.93RVU26A
2025-10-01$118.08$88.23RVU25D
2025-07-01$118.08$88.23RVU25C
2025-04-01$118.08$88.23RVU25B
2025-01-01$118.08$88.23RVU25A
2024-10-01$121.04$89.99RVU24D
2024-07-01$121.04$89.99RVU24C
2024-04-01$121.04$89.99RVU24B
2024-03-09$121.04$89.99RVU24AR
2024-01-01$119.07$88.52RVU24A
2023-10-01$122.80$90.78RVU23D
2023-07-01$122.80$90.78RVU23C
2023-04-01$122.80$90.78RVU23B
2023-01-01$122.80$90.78RVU23A
2022-10-01$123.23$91.54RVU22D
2022-07-01$123.23$91.54RVU22C
2022-04-01$123.23$91.54RVU22B
2022-01-01$123.23$91.54RVU22A
2021-10-01$124.52$93.29RVU21D
2021-07-01$124.52$93.29RVU21C
2021-04-01$124.52$93.29RVU21B
2021-01-01$124.52$93.29RVU21A
2020-10-01$124.72$94.90RVU20D
2020-07-01$124.72$94.90RVU20C
2020-04-01$124.72$94.90RVU20B
2020-01-01$124.72$94.90RVU20A
2019-10-01$124.87$94.60RVU19D
2019-07-01$124.87$94.60RVU19C
2019-04-01$124.87$94.60RVU19B
2019-01-01$124.87$94.60RVU19A
2018-10-01$124.74$95.23RVU18D
2018-07-01$124.74$95.23RVU18C
2018-04-01$124.74$95.23RVU18B
2018-01-01$124.74$95.23RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$122.39$94.51RVU17D
2017-07-01$122.39$94.51RVU17C
2017-04-01$122.39$94.51RVU17B
2017-01-01$122.39$94.51RVU17A
2016-10-01$121.90$94.16RVU16D
2016-07-01$121.90$94.16RVU16C
2016-04-01$121.90$94.16RVU16B
2016-01-01$121.90$94.16RVU16A
2015-10-01$122.34$94.50RVU15D
2015-07-01$122.34$94.50RVU15C
2015-04-01$121.73$94.03RVU15B
2015-01-01$121.73$94.03RVU15A
2014-10-01$124.86$97.53RVU14D
2014-07-01$124.86$97.53RVU14C
2014-04-01$124.86$97.53RVU14B
2014-01-01$124.86$97.53RVU14A
2013-10-01$123.52$94.55RVU13D
2013-07-01$123.52$94.55RVU13C
2013-04-01$123.52$94.55RVU13B
2013-01-01$123.52$94.55RVU13AR

Price 65800 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

65800 billing questions

How is 65800 distinguished from 65810?

65800 is for anterior chamber paracentesis with aqueous removal. Compare the documented work with 65810 when medication injection is also performed or the service otherwise fits that code’s expanded description.

Can 65800 be reported with another eye procedure on the same date?

The code identifies a separate procedure, so report it when the paracentesis is a distinct service rather than an integral part of a more extensive procedure. Apply the multiple procedure reduction when separate procedures are performed in the same session.

What documentation supports 65800?

Document anterior chamber entry and aqueous removal, the eye treated, and the indication, such as elevated pressure or diagnostic sampling. If fluid is collected, note the specimen and its disposition.

How is bilateral 65800 reported?

For procedures on both eyes, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for this procedure?

CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for 65800. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 65800PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,346 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 65800 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 65800 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

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

Join the waitlist