CPT code 68135: Lesion destruction, conjunctiva2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Reports destruction of a lesion on the conjunctiva, such as a papillomatous growth, when treatment removes or ablates it without excision.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality819 Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $156.25 for 68135 in the office and $126.82 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$156.25Office (non-facility)
$126.82Hospital or facility
−2.1%vs the national office rate ($159.66)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 68135 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 68135 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 68135 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 68135 covers

An ophthalmologist typically uses a destructive technique, such as cryotherapy or cautery, to treat a lesion on the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye’s front surface and lining the eyelids. A conjunctival papilloma is one example of a lesion that may be treated this way. The service may be performed in an office or facility setting, depending on the procedure and patient circumstances.

Select this code when the lesion is destroyed rather than removed by excision or sampled for diagnosis. Document the treated eye, lesion location and characteristics, and method of destruction. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during that period. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; 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 Vermont compares for 68135

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 68135 runs from $144.09 in Arkansas to $205.28 in San Benito County, CA. Vermont pays $156.25. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

68135 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$156.25
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$177.55+$21.30
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$180.13+$23.88
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$171.14+$14.89
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$167.04+$10.79
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$181.62+$25.37
  7. Alaska · Alaska$194.19+$37.94

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

Every other payment area

68135 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$145.83$119.82
ArkansasArkansas$144.09$118.55
ArizonaArizona$156.05$127.24
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$167.81$135.23
Chico, CACalifornia$167.32$134.74
El Centro, CACalifornia$167.35$134.77
Fresno, CACalifornia$167.32$134.74
Hanford, CACalifornia$167.32$134.74

68135 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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.

$144.09

$194.19

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

View every state and territory as a table
68135 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$194.191
AL$145.831
AR$144.091
AZ$156.051
CA$167.32–$205.2829
CO$165.261
CT$169.111
DC$180.131
DE$158.341
FL$158.08–$171.143
GA$150.55–$162.342
GU$170.311
HI$170.311
IA$148.711
ID$149.561
IL$154.37–$167.044
IN$150.281
KS$148.231
KY$148.891
LA$148.73–$154.842
MA$164.56–$179.702
MD$160.98–$180.133
ME$150.31–$156.972
MI$152.20–$159.832
MN$158.831
MO$146.67–$155.193
MS$145.401
MT$159.651
NC$151.601
ND$156.681
NE$149.361
NH$162.851
NJ$171.17–$178.782
NM$152.931
NV$158.911
NY$153.51–$185.505
OH$151.591
OK$148.571
OR$157.80–$169.702
PA$151.74–$165.552
PR$160.611
RI$163.361
SC$151.821
SD$156.331
TN$148.861
TX$150.91–$164.618
UT$153.551
VA$156.60–$180.132
VI$160.611
VT$156.251
WA$164.20–$182.972
WI$152.281
WV$149.611
WY$158.351

See 68135 in every payment locality

How the 68135 rate is calculated

Each of 68135’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 · 68135

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.84

1.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.79

2.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.7800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$159.66

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

The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,539

Code
68135
Physician work
1.84
Practice expense
2.79
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 68135 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.84× 1.0001.8400
Practice expense2.79× 0.9902.7621
Malpractice0.15× 0.5060.0759
Total RVUs4.6780
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$156.25

Office: (1.84 × 1 + 2.79 × 0.99 + 0.15 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $156.25

Facility: (1.84 × 1 + 1.9 × 0.99 + 0.15 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $126.82

Open 68135 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 68135

68135 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 68135

Lesion destruction, conjunctiva

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 · 68135

Lesion destruction, conjunctiva

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

68135 without 50 · national office

$159.66

Lesion destruction, conjunctiva

68135-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$239.49

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

How 68135 has changed in Vermont

68135 · Office / nonfacility

$156.25

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.35 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $149.90 to $156.25 (4.2%).

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

    $149.90changed to$156.25

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.89 changed to 1.84
    • Practice expense RVU 2.68 changed to 2.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $153.76changed to$149.90

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $151.25changed to$153.76

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $156.03changed to$151.25

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.63 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $156.10changed to$156.03

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $157.79changed to$156.10

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $159.70changed to$157.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.44 changed to 2.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $161.10changed to$159.70

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $160.93changed to$161.10

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $158.03changed to$160.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.46
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $157.36changed to$158.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $157.93changed to$157.36

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $157.14changed to$157.93

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $159.73changed to$157.14

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$159.73

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$156.25$126.82RVU26D
2026-07-01$156.25$126.82RVU26C
2026-04-01$156.25$126.82RVU26B
2026-01-01$156.25$126.82RVU26A
2025-10-01$149.90$141.87RVU25D
2025-07-01$149.90$141.87RVU25C
2025-04-01$149.90$141.87RVU25B
2025-01-01$149.90$141.87RVU25A
2024-10-01$153.76$145.16RVU24D
2024-07-01$153.76$145.16RVU24C
2024-04-01$153.76$145.16RVU24B
2024-03-09$153.76$145.16RVU24AR
2024-01-01$151.25$142.79RVU24A
2023-10-01$156.03$146.91RVU23D
2023-07-01$156.03$146.91RVU23C
2023-04-01$156.03$146.91RVU23B
2023-01-01$156.03$146.91RVU23A
2022-10-01$156.10$147.10RVU22D
2022-07-01$156.10$147.10RVU22C
2022-04-01$156.10$147.10RVU22B
2022-01-01$156.10$147.10RVU22A
2021-10-01$157.79$148.71RVU21D
2021-07-01$157.79$148.71RVU21C
2021-04-01$157.79$148.71RVU21B
2021-01-01$157.79$148.71RVU21A
2020-10-01$159.70$151.70RVU20D
2020-07-01$159.70$151.70RVU20C
2020-04-01$159.70$151.70RVU20B
2020-01-01$159.70$151.70RVU20A
2019-10-01$161.10$153.42RVU19D
2019-07-01$161.10$153.42RVU19C
2019-04-01$161.10$153.42RVU19B
2019-01-01$161.10$153.42RVU19A
2018-10-01$160.93$154.35RVU18D
2018-07-01$160.93$154.35RVU18C
2018-04-01$160.93$154.35RVU18B
2018-01-01$160.93$154.35RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$158.03$152.60RVU17D
2017-07-01$158.03$152.60RVU17C
2017-04-01$158.03$152.60RVU17B
2017-01-01$158.03$152.60RVU17A
2016-10-01$157.36$151.97RVU16D
2016-07-01$157.36$151.97RVU16C
2016-04-01$157.36$151.97RVU16B
2016-01-01$157.36$151.97RVU16A
2015-10-01$157.93$152.88RVU15D
2015-07-01$157.93$152.88RVU15C
2015-04-01$157.14$152.12RVU15B
2015-01-01$157.14$152.12RVU15A
2014-10-01$159.73$154.32RVU14D
2014-07-01$159.73$154.32RVU14C
2014-04-01$159.73$154.32RVU14B
2014-01-01$159.73$154.32RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 68135 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

68135 billing questions

When should this code be used instead of a conjunctival excision code?

Use this code when the lesion is destroyed in place. Use an excision code when the lesion is surgically removed; the applicable excision code depends on the procedure and lesion circumstances.

How does this differ from a conjunctival biopsy?

Destruction treats the lesion without removing a specimen for histologic examination. A biopsy is used when tissue is sampled for diagnosis.

Does the 10-day global period include follow-up visits?

Related postoperative visits during the 10 days after the procedure are included in the global period.

How is bilateral treatment reported?

For bilateral treatment, report modifier 50; CMS values the bilateral procedure at 150%.

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

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. 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 68135PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,539 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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