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CPT code 65855: Laser trabeculoplasty, trabecular meshwork treatment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports laser treatment of the trabecular meshwork to improve aqueous drainage and lower intraocular pressure in a patient with glaucoma.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality166.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $276.58 for 65855 in the office and $189.23 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$276.58Office (non-facility)
$189.23Hospital or facility
+12.7%vs the national office rate ($245.50)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 65855 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 65855 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 65855 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 65855 covers

An ophthalmologist directs laser energy to the trabecular meshwork, the eye’s drainage tissue, to improve aqueous outflow and reduce intraocular pressure. The procedure is commonly used for open-angle glaucoma and may be performed with selective or argon laser in an ophthalmology office or an outpatient facility. The treated eye and the laser procedure performed should be clear in the operative documentation.

Report 65855 for laser trabeculoplasty, distinguishing it from incisional procedures such as goniotomy or trabeculotomy. Related postoperative visits are included in the 10-day global period. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay for an assistant at surgery; co-surgeon and team-surgery payment requires supporting documentation.

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 Washington, DC area compares for 65855

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 65855 runs from $222.15 in Arkansas to $314.86 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $276.58. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

65855 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$276.58
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$272.71−$3.87
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$262.48−$14.10
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$256.40−$20.18
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$278.79+$2.21
  6. Alaska · Alaska$300.25+$23.67
  7. Alabama · Alabama$224.77−$51.81

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

65855 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$222.15$158.46
ArizonaArizona$240.09$168.24
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$257.95$176.68
Chico, CACalifornia$257.22$175.95
El Centro, CACalifornia$257.25$175.99
Fresno, CACalifornia$257.22$175.95
Hanford, CACalifornia$257.22$175.95
Madera, CACalifornia$257.22$175.95

65855 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.

$222.15

$300.25

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

View every state and territory as a table
65855 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$300.251
AL$224.771
AR$222.151
AZ$240.091
CA$257.22–$314.8629
CO$254.041
CT$259.801
DC$276.581
DE$243.561
FL$243.02–$262.483
GA$231.76–$249.512
GU$261.621
HI$261.621
IA$229.141
ID$230.401
IL$237.43–$256.404
IN$231.481
KS$228.381
KY$229.301
LA$229.06–$238.222
MA$253.01–$275.922
MD$247.56–$276.583
ME$231.50–$241.522
MI$234.24–$245.632
MN$244.391
MO$225.95–$238.783
MS$224.081
MT$245.481
NC$233.441
ND$241.131
NE$230.121
NH$250.331
NJ$263.03–$274.612
NM$235.331
NV$244.411
NY$236.30–$284.575
OH$233.351
OK$228.851
OR$242.75–$260.752
PA$233.59–$254.432
PR$246.931
RI$251.191
SC$233.731
SD$240.621
TN$229.331
TX$232.35–$252.998
UT$236.331
VA$240.95–$276.582
VI$246.931
VT$240.461
WA$252.45–$280.892
WI$234.521
WV$230.291
WY$243.591

See 65855 in every payment locality

How the 65855 rate is calculated

Each of 65855’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 · 65855

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.93

2.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.20

4.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.22

0.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.3500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$245.50

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,351

Code
65855
Physician work
2.93
Practice expense
4.20
Malpractice
0.22

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 65855 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.93× 1.0543.0882
Practice expense4.20× 1.1784.9476
Malpractice0.22× 1.1130.2449
Total RVUs8.2807
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$276.58

Office: (2.93 × 1.054 + 4.2 × 1.178 + 0.22 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $276.58

Facility: (2.93 × 1.054 + 1.98 × 1.178 + 0.22 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $189.23

Open 65855 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 65855

65855 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 65855

Laser trabeculoplasty, trabecular meshwork treatment

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 65855

Laser trabeculoplasty, trabecular meshwork treatment

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

65855 without 50 · national office

$245.50

Laser trabeculoplasty, trabecular meshwork treatment

65855-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$368.25

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 65855

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

Codes related to 65855
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
65820Goniotomy, angle incisionGoniotomy uses an incisional approach to improve drainage through the trabecular meshwork.No office rate
65850Trabeculotomy, external approachTrabeculotomy ab externo is an incisional glaucoma procedure rather than laser trabeculoplasty.No office rate
66170Trabeculectomy, without prior scarringTrabeculectomy is a different surgical approach to lowering intraocular pressure.No office rate

How 65855 has changed in Washington, DC area

65855 · Office / nonfacility

$276.58

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $267.03 to $276.58 (3.6%).

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

    $267.03changed to$276.58

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.00 changed to 2.93
    • Practice expense RVU 4.04 changed to 4.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $276.38changed to$267.03

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.07 changed to 4.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $271.87changed to$276.38

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $282.74changed to$271.87

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.03 changed to 4.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $288.68changed to$282.74

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 4.03
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $291.05changed to$288.68

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 3.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $289.86changed to$291.05

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.76 changed to 3.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $287.57changed to$289.86

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.79 changed to 3.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $286.82changed to$287.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.78 changed to 3.79

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $282.88changed to$286.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.70 changed to 3.78
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $319.35changed to$282.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.66 changed to 3.00
    • Practice expense RVU 4.88 changed to 3.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $392.22changed to$319.35

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 3.99 changed to 2.66
    • Practice expense RVU 5.27 changed to 4.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.19

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $390.26changed to$392.22

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $402.90changed to$390.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $401.40changed to$402.90

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.76 changed to 5.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.60
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $401.40

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$276.58$189.23RVU26D
2026-07-01$276.58$189.23RVU26C
2026-04-01$276.58$189.23RVU26B
2026-01-01$276.58$189.23RVU26A
2025-10-01$267.03$221.53RVU25D
2025-07-01$267.03$221.53RVU25C
2025-04-01$267.03$221.53RVU25B
2025-01-01$267.03$221.53RVU25A
2024-10-01$276.38$227.97RVU24D
2024-07-01$276.38$227.97RVU24C
2024-04-01$276.38$227.97RVU24B
2024-03-09$276.38$227.97RVU24AR
2024-01-01$271.87$224.25RVU24A
2023-10-01$282.74$232.55RVU23D
2023-07-01$282.74$232.55RVU23C
2023-04-01$282.74$232.55RVU23B
2023-01-01$282.74$232.55RVU23A
2022-10-01$288.68$235.64RVU22D
2022-07-01$288.68$235.64RVU22C
2022-04-01$288.68$235.64RVU22B
2022-01-01$288.68$235.64RVU22A
2021-10-01$291.05$237.14RVU21D
2021-07-01$291.05$237.14RVU21C
2021-04-01$291.05$237.14RVU21B
2021-01-01$291.05$237.14RVU21A
2020-10-01$289.86$240.51RVU20D
2020-07-01$289.86$240.51RVU20C
2020-04-01$289.86$240.51RVU20B
2020-01-01$289.86$240.51RVU20A
2019-10-01$287.57$239.80RVU19D
2019-07-01$287.57$239.80RVU19C
2019-04-01$287.57$239.80RVU19B
2019-01-01$287.57$239.80RVU19A
2018-10-01$286.82$240.40RVU18D
2018-07-01$286.82$240.40RVU18C
2018-04-01$286.82$240.40RVU18B
2018-01-01$286.82$240.40RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$282.88$238.77RVU17D
2017-07-01$282.88$238.77RVU17C
2017-04-01$282.88$238.77RVU17B
2017-01-01$282.88$238.77RVU17A
2016-10-01$319.35$279.66RVU16D
2016-07-01$319.35$279.66RVU16C
2016-04-01$319.35$279.66RVU16B
2016-01-01$319.35$279.66RVU16A
2015-10-01$392.22$342.85RVU15D
2015-07-01$392.22$342.85RVU15C
2015-04-01$390.26$341.15RVU15B
2015-01-01$390.26$341.15RVU15A
2014-10-01$402.90$355.10RVU14D
2014-07-01$402.90$355.10RVU14C
2014-04-01$402.90$355.10RVU14B
2014-01-01$402.90$355.10RVU14A
2013-10-01$401.40$350.45RVU13D
2013-07-01$401.40$350.45RVU13C
2013-04-01$401.40$350.45RVU13B
2013-01-01$401.40$350.45RVU13AR

Price 65855 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

65855 billing questions

How is laser trabeculoplasty different from goniotomy?

65855 describes laser treatment of the trabecular meshwork. Goniotomy uses an incisional approach to open the drainage angle.

How should bilateral treatment be reported?

For treatment of both eyes, report the procedure with modifier 50. CMS pays bilateral procedures at 150%.

Are related postoperative visits separately payable?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure.

What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full. Other procedures performed in that session are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction.

Can an assistant surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon or team-surgery payment requires supporting documentation.

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 65855PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,351 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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