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CPT code 66761: Laser iridotomy, peripheral iris opening2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

An ophthalmologist uses laser energy to create an opening in the peripheral iris, commonly to address narrow angles or angle-closure risk.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality48.2K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $283.62 for 66761 in the office and $192.93 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$283.62Office (non-facility)
$192.93Hospital or facility
−5.2%vs the national office rate ($299.27)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 66761 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 66761 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 66761 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 66761 covers

This procedure creates an opening through the peripheral iris with laser energy so aqueous fluid can pass between the posterior and anterior chambers. Ophthalmologists commonly perform it at a slit lamp in an office setting for eyes with narrow or occludable angles, including treatment or prevention of angle closure. The service is distinct from reshaping the iris with laser or removing iris tissue through an incision.

Report the service for the laser iridotomy session, not by laser pulse or opening. Documentation should identify the treated eye or eyes, the angle-closure indication, and the laser treatment performed. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same 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%. 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 North Carolina compares for 66761

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 66761 runs from $268.35 in Arkansas to $392.40 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $283.62. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

66761 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$283.62
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$336.33+$52.71
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$339.93+$56.31
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$318.46+$34.84
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$310.44+$26.82
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$341.28+$57.66
  7. Alaska · Alaska$357.52+$73.90

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

Every other payment area

66761 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$271.83$186.78
ArkansasArkansas$268.35$184.85
ArizonaArizona$292.20$198.01
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$316.89$210.36
Chico, CACalifornia$316.16$209.63
El Centro, CACalifornia$316.19$209.67
Fresno, CACalifornia$316.16$209.63
Hanford, CACalifornia$316.16$209.63

66761 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.

$268.35

$357.52

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

View every state and territory as a table
66761 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$357.521
AL$271.831
AR$268.351
AZ$292.201
CA$316.16–$392.4029
CO$311.261
CT$317.721
DC$339.931
DE$296.691
FL$294.43–$318.463
GA$279.72–$304.152
GU$322.761
HI$322.761
IA$278.351
ID$279.871
IL$286.53–$310.874
IN$281.331
KS$277.001
KY$277.111
LA$276.65–$288.822
MA$309.63–$340.122
MD$301.98–$339.933
ME$280.97–$294.812
MI$283.34–$297.522
MN$299.731
MO$272.30–$289.973
MS$270.381
MT$299.261
NC$283.621
ND$294.911
NE$279.761
NH$306.311
NJ$321.75–$336.992
NM$284.641
NV$298.241
NY$287.39–$348.515
OH$282.451
OK$276.871
OR$296.31–$320.502
PA$282.96–$310.412
PR$301.301
RI$306.741
SC$283.421
SD$294.391
TN$278.211
TX$281.29–$309.898
UT$286.881
VA$293.81–$339.932
VI$301.301
VT$293.701
WA$309.07–$346.872
WI$286.041
WV$277.021
WY$297.361

See 66761 in every payment locality

How the 66761 rate is calculated

Each of 66761’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 · 66761

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.93

2.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.81

5.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.22

0.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.9600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$299.27

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

7,392

Code
66761
Physician work
2.93
Practice expense
5.81
Malpractice
0.22

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 66761 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.93× 1.0002.9300
Practice expense5.81× 0.9335.4207
Malpractice0.22× 0.6390.1406
Total RVUs8.4913
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$283.62

Office: (2.93 × 1 + 5.81 × 0.933 + 0.22 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $283.62

Facility: (2.93 × 1 + 2.9 × 0.933 + 0.22 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $192.93

Open 66761 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 66761

66761 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 66761

Laser iridotomy, peripheral iris opening

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)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
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 · 66761

Laser iridotomy, peripheral iris opening

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

66761 without 50 · national office

$299.27

Laser iridotomy, peripheral iris opening

66761-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$448.91

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 66761

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

Codes related to 66761
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
66762Iris laser, photocoagulation reshapingIris laser procedure that reshapes the iris rather than primarily creating an opening.$457.00
Used instead
66740Ciliary body ablation, other operative methodIncisional iridectomy for glaucoma can serve a similar purpose when laser treatment is not used.$421.13

How 66761 has changed in North Carolina

66761 · Office / nonfacility

$283.62

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $14.50 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $269.12 to $283.62 (5.4%).

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

    $269.12changed to$283.62

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.00 changed to 2.93
    • Practice expense RVU 5.58 changed to 5.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • 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

    $280.57changed to$269.12

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.69 changed to 5.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $275.99changed to$280.57

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $284.62changed to$275.99

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $288.25changed to$284.62

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.54 changed to 5.64
    • 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

    $291.00changed to$288.25

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.56 changed to 5.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $291.10changed to$291.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.26 changed to 5.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • 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

    $290.78changed to$291.10

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.28 changed to 5.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23
    • 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

    $289.80changed to$290.78

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.26 changed to 5.28

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $285.52changed to$289.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.15 changed to 5.26
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $285.28changed to$285.52

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.16 changed to 5.15
    • 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

    $285.64changed to$285.28

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.14 changed to 5.16

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $284.22changed to$285.64

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $289.80changed to$284.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.22
    • 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

    $290.59changed to$289.80

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.43
    • 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: $290.59

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$283.62$192.93RVU26D
2026-07-01$283.62$192.93RVU26C
2026-04-01$283.62$192.93RVU26B
2026-01-01$283.62$192.93RVU26A
2025-10-01$269.12$214.61RVU25D
2025-07-01$269.12$214.61RVU25C
2025-04-01$269.12$214.61RVU25B
2025-01-01$269.12$214.61RVU25A
2024-10-01$280.57$222.00RVU24D
2024-07-01$280.57$222.00RVU24C
2024-04-01$280.57$222.00RVU24B
2024-03-09$280.57$222.00RVU24AR
2024-01-01$275.99$218.38RVU24A
2023-10-01$284.62$224.30RVU23D
2023-07-01$284.62$224.30RVU23C
2023-04-01$284.62$224.30RVU23B
2023-01-01$284.62$224.30RVU23A
2022-10-01$288.25$226.59RVU22D
2022-07-01$288.25$226.59RVU22C
2022-04-01$288.25$226.59RVU22B
2022-01-01$288.25$226.59RVU22A
2021-10-01$291.00$227.54RVU21D
2021-07-01$291.00$227.54RVU21C
2021-04-01$291.00$227.54RVU21B
2021-01-01$291.00$227.54RVU21A
2020-10-01$291.10$230.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$291.10$230.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$291.10$230.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$291.10$230.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$290.78$230.73RVU19D
2019-07-01$290.78$230.73RVU19C
2019-04-01$290.78$230.73RVU19B
2019-01-01$290.78$230.73RVU19A
2018-10-01$289.80$231.14RVU18D
2018-07-01$289.80$231.14RVU18C
2018-04-01$289.80$231.14RVU18B
2018-01-01$289.80$231.14RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$285.52$229.39RVU17D
2017-07-01$285.52$229.39RVU17C
2017-04-01$285.52$229.39RVU17B
2017-01-01$285.52$229.39RVU17A
2016-10-01$285.28$229.01RVU16D
2016-07-01$285.28$229.01RVU16C
2016-04-01$285.28$229.01RVU16B
2016-01-01$285.28$229.01RVU16A
2015-10-01$285.64$229.16RVU15D
2015-07-01$285.64$229.16RVU15C
2015-04-01$284.22$228.02RVU15B
2015-01-01$284.22$228.02RVU15A
2014-10-01$289.80$233.89RVU14D
2014-07-01$289.80$233.89RVU14C
2014-04-01$289.80$233.89RVU14B
2014-01-01$289.80$233.89RVU14A
2013-10-01$290.59$231.61RVU13D
2013-07-01$290.59$231.61RVU13C
2013-04-01$290.59$231.61RVU13B
2013-01-01$290.59$231.61RVU13AR

Price 66761 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

66761 billing questions

How is this different from 66762?

66761 creates an opening through the peripheral iris. Code 66762 describes laser reshaping of the iris, with or without an iridotomy.

Is the code reported per eye or per laser pulse?

Report the service by treatment session, not by pulse or individual opening. For bilateral treatment, CMS specifies modifier 50 payment at 150%.

Are postoperative checks separately reported during the global period?

Related postoperative visits for 10 days are included in the global period.

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

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedure or procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.

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

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted under the CMS rules for this code.

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 66761PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,392 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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