CPT code 68801: Punctum dilation, punctal opening, with or without irrigation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

Reports dilation of a narrowed lacrimal punctum, with or without irrigation, to improve tear drainage through the opening.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality16K Medicare services in 2024

In Iowa, Medicare pays $87.90 for 68801 in the office and $67.11 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$87.90Office (non-facility)
$67.11Hospital or facility
−7.0%vs the national office rate ($94.52)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 68801 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 68801 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Iowa
  2. What 68801 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 68801 covers

An ophthalmologist or other qualified eye-care practitioner dilates a narrowed lacrimal punctum, the small opening at the eyelid margin that drains tears. The service may include irrigation through the opened punctum. It is typically performed in an office or outpatient setting when punctal narrowing interferes with tear drainage; it addresses the punctal opening rather than probing the downstream canaliculus or nasolacrimal duct.

Report 68801 when the documented service is dilation of the punctum, and record the affected side, the narrowing treated, and whether irrigation was performed. Irrigation is included in this code. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 Iowa compares for 68801

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 68801 runs from $84.39 in Arkansas to $125.92 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $87.90. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

68801 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$87.90
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$107.16+$19.26
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$107.93+$20.03
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$99.79+$11.89
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$97.20+$9.30
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$107.93+$20.03
  7. Alaska · Alaska$111.43+$23.53

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

Every other payment area

68801 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$85.53$65.66
ArkansasArkansas$84.39$64.88
ArizonaArizona$92.23$70.23
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$100.73$75.84
Chico, CACalifornia$100.55$75.66
El Centro, CACalifornia$100.56$75.67
Fresno, CACalifornia$100.55$75.66
Hanford, CACalifornia$100.55$75.66

68801 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.

$84.39

$113.24

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

View every state and territory as a table
68801 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$111.431
AL$85.531
AR$84.391
AZ$92.231
CA$100.55–$125.9229
CO$98.711
CT$100.501
DC$107.931
DE$93.701
FL$92.45–$99.793
GA$87.70–$96.002
GU$102.881
HI$102.881
IA$87.901
ID$88.351
IL$89.71–$97.794
IN$88.841
KS$87.351
KY$87.041
LA$86.85–$90.852
MA$98.12–$108.272
MD$95.45–$107.933
ME$88.60–$93.312
MI$88.99–$93.362
MN$95.271
MO$85.35–$91.353
MS$84.901
MT$94.521
NC$89.491
ND$93.531
NE$88.391
NH$97.031
NJ$101.84–$106.902
NM$89.371
NV$94.311
NY$90.72–$110.175
OH$88.781
OK$87.081
OR$93.76–$101.872
PA$89.01–$98.042
PR$95.231
RI$97.031
SC$89.251
SD$93.421
TN$87.731
TX$88.45–$98.228
UT$90.391
VA$92.91–$107.932
VI$95.231
VT$93.041
WA$97.98–$110.572
WI$90.591
WV$86.581
WY$94.091

See 68801 in every payment locality

How the 68801 rate is calculated

Each of 68801’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 · 68801

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.80

0.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.98

1.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.8300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$94.52

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

The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,571

Code
68801
Physician work
0.80
Practice expense
1.98
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 68801 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.80× 1.0000.8000
Practice expense1.98× 0.9151.8117
Malpractice0.05× 0.3970.0199
Total RVUs2.6315
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$87.90

Office: (0.8 × 1 + 1.98 × 0.915 + 0.05 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $87.90

Facility: (0.8 × 1 + 1.3 × 0.915 + 0.05 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $67.11

Open 68801 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 68801

68801 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 68801

Punctum dilation, punctal opening, with or without irrigation

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 · 68801

Punctum dilation, punctal opening, with or without irrigation

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

68801 without 50 · national office

$94.52

Punctum dilation, punctal opening, with or without irrigation

68801-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$141.78

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 68801 has changed in Iowa

68801 · Office / nonfacility

$87.90

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $85.59 to $87.90 (2.7%).

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

    $85.59changed to$87.90

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.82 changed to 0.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $89.45changed to$85.59

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.02 changed to 1.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $87.99changed to$89.45

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $90.06changed to$87.99

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.00 changed to 2.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $90.63changed to$90.06

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 2.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $89.80changed to$90.63

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.91 changed to 1.96

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $86.99changed to$89.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.73 changed to 1.91
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $85.88changed to$86.99

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.70 changed to 1.73
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $84.16changed to$85.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.65 changed to 1.70

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $83.02changed to$84.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.65
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $93.44changed to$83.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.97 changed to 1.63
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $116.02changed to$93.44

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 1.00 changed to 0.82
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 1.97

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $115.45changed to$116.02

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $116.02changed to$115.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $117.69changed to$116.02

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.69 changed to 2.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $117.69

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$87.90$67.11RVU26D
2026-07-01$87.90$67.11RVU26C
2026-04-01$87.90$67.11RVU26B
2026-01-01$87.90$67.11RVU26A
2025-10-01$85.59$71.71RVU25D
2025-07-01$85.59$71.71RVU25C
2025-04-01$85.59$71.71RVU25B
2025-01-01$85.59$71.71RVU25A
2024-10-01$89.45$73.95RVU24D
2024-07-01$89.45$73.95RVU24C
2024-04-01$89.45$73.95RVU24B
2024-03-09$89.45$73.95RVU24AR
2024-01-01$87.99$72.74RVU24A
2023-10-01$90.06$73.72RVU23D
2023-07-01$90.06$73.72RVU23C
2023-04-01$90.06$73.72RVU23B
2023-01-01$90.06$73.72RVU23A
2022-10-01$90.63$73.06RVU22D
2022-07-01$90.63$73.06RVU22C
2022-04-01$90.63$73.06RVU22B
2022-01-01$90.63$73.06RVU22A
2021-10-01$89.80$73.34RVU21D
2021-07-01$89.80$73.34RVU21C
2021-04-01$89.80$73.34RVU21B
2021-01-01$89.80$73.34RVU21A
2020-10-01$86.99$73.24RVU20D
2020-07-01$86.99$73.24RVU20C
2020-04-01$86.99$73.24RVU20B
2020-01-01$86.99$73.24RVU20A
2019-10-01$85.88$74.44RVU19D
2019-07-01$85.88$74.44RVU19C
2019-04-01$85.88$74.44RVU19B
2019-01-01$85.88$74.44RVU19A
2018-10-01$84.16$75.01RVU18D
2018-07-01$84.16$75.01RVU18C
2018-04-01$84.16$75.01RVU18B
2018-01-01$84.16$75.01RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$83.02$74.60RVU17D
2017-07-01$83.02$74.60RVU17C
2017-04-01$83.02$74.60RVU17B
2017-01-01$83.02$74.60RVU17A
2016-10-01$93.44$81.25RVU16D
2016-07-01$93.44$81.25RVU16C
2016-04-01$93.44$81.25RVU16B
2016-01-01$93.44$81.25RVU16A
2015-10-01$116.02$100.89RVU15D
2015-07-01$116.02$100.89RVU15C
2015-04-01$115.45$100.39RVU15B
2015-01-01$115.45$100.39RVU15A
2014-10-01$116.02$101.00RVU14D
2014-07-01$116.02$101.00RVU14C
2014-04-01$116.02$101.00RVU14B
2014-01-01$116.02$101.00RVU14A
2013-10-01$117.69$101.99RVU13D
2013-07-01$117.69$101.99RVU13C
2013-04-01$117.69$101.99RVU13B
2013-01-01$117.69$101.99RVU13AR

Price 68801 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

68801 billing questions

When should 68801 be chosen instead of 68810?

Use 68801 when the treated structure is a narrowed lacrimal punctum. Code 68810 describes probing the nasolacrimal duct, a different part of the tear drainage pathway.

Is irrigation separately reportable with 68801?

No. Irrigation performed with punctal dilation is included in 68801.

How is bilateral punctal dilation reported?

CMS identifies 68801 as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150% when both sides are treated.

Are related postoperative visits included?

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

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for 68801?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and 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 68801PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,571 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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