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CPT code 68810: Tear duct probing, simple probing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Reports probing a blocked nasolacrimal duct, with or without irrigation, when treatment does not require general anesthesia, a stent, or balloon dilation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality14.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $170.71 for 68810 in the office and $118.55 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$170.71Office (non-facility)
$118.55Hospital or facility
+6.3%vs the national office rate ($160.66)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 68810 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 68810 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 68810 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 68810 covers

An ophthalmologist passes a probe through the tear drainage pathway to open or assess an obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct. Irrigation may be used to check or restore flow. A common situation is treatment of persistent tear-duct blockage in an infant; the procedure may also be performed for duct obstruction in other patients. The service is commonly furnished in an office or outpatient setting.

Report 68810 for simple probing, with or without irrigation, when the service does not require general anesthesia and does not include tube or stent placement or balloon catheter dilation. The note should identify the treated side, the obstruction or reason for probing, the instruments and technique used, and whether irrigation was performed. This minor procedure has a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period. 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 other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 Connecticut compares for 68810

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 68810 runs from $143.69 in Arkansas to $211.40 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $170.71. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

68810 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$170.71
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$180.86+$10.15
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$182.78+$12.07
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$171.16+$0.45
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$166.73−$3.98
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$183.47+$12.76
  7. Alaska · Alaska$190.84+$20.13

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

Every other payment area

68810 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$145.60$103.22
ArkansasArkansas$143.69$102.09
ArizonaArizona$156.78$109.85
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$170.27$117.19
Chico, CACalifornia$169.88$116.80
El Centro, CACalifornia$169.90$116.82
Fresno, CACalifornia$169.88$116.80
Hanford, CACalifornia$169.88$116.80

68810 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.

$143.69

$190.84

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

View every state and territory as a table
68810 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$190.841
AL$145.601
AR$143.691
AZ$156.781
CA$169.88–$211.4029
CO$167.201
CT$170.711
DC$182.781
DE$159.231
FL$157.99–$171.163
GA$149.92–$163.322
GU$173.571
HI$173.571
IA$149.181
ID$150.021
IL$153.65–$166.984
IN$150.821
KS$148.441
KY$148.491
LA$148.24–$154.922
MA$166.29–$182.942
MD$162.11–$182.783
ME$150.62–$158.222
MI$151.91–$159.682
MN$160.931
MO$145.85–$155.553
MS$144.801
MT$160.651
NC$152.071
ND$158.281
NE$149.961
NH$164.531
NJ$172.85–$181.142
NM$152.621
NV$160.101
NY$154.14–$187.445
OH$151.421
OK$148.361
OR$159.04–$172.262
PA$151.70–$166.702
PR$161.771
RI$164.691
SC$151.961
SD$158.001
TN$149.111
TX$150.78–$166.488
UT$153.861
VA$157.67–$182.782
VI$161.771
VT$157.611
WA$166.00–$186.622
WI$153.411
WV$148.431
WY$159.621

See 68810 in every payment locality

How the 68810 rate is calculated

Each of 68810’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 · 68810

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.50

1.50 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.19

3.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.8100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$160.66

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,572

Code
68810
Physician work
1.50
Practice expense
3.19
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 68810 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.50× 1.0201.5300
Practice expense3.19× 1.0773.4356
Malpractice0.12× 1.2100.1452
Total RVUs5.1108
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$170.71

Office: (1.5 × 1.02 + 3.19 × 1.077 + 0.12 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $170.71

Facility: (1.5 × 1.02 + 1.74 × 1.077 + 0.12 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $118.55

Open 68810 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 68810

68810 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 68810

Tear duct probing, simple probing

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 · 68810

Tear duct probing, simple probing

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

68810 without 50 · national office

$160.66

Tear duct probing, simple probing

68810-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$240.99

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 68810

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

Codes related to 68810
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Same family
68811Tear duct probing, general anesthesiaNasolacrimal duct probing when general anesthesia is required.No office rate
68815Duct probing, with tube or stentNasolacrimal duct probing with tube or stent placement.$397.74
68816Tear duct dilation, balloon catheterNasolacrimal duct probing with balloon catheter dilation.$892.53
Used instead
68840Tear duct probing, lacrimal canaliculiProbes the lacrimal canaliculi rather than the nasolacrimal duct.$142.59

How 68810 has changed in Connecticut

68810 · Office / nonfacility

$170.71

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.97 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $165.74 to $170.71 (3.0%).

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

    $165.74changed to$170.71

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.54 changed to 1.50
    • Practice expense RVU 3.11 changed to 3.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $171.97changed to$165.74

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.16 changed to 3.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $169.17changed to$171.97

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $174.99changed to$169.17

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.13 changed to 3.16
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $177.94changed to$174.99

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.09 changed to 3.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $179.29changed to$177.94

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.07 changed to 3.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $176.41changed to$179.29

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.86 changed to 3.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $174.65changed to$176.41

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.82 changed to 2.86
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $172.06changed to$174.65

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.76 changed to 2.82

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $173.70changed to$172.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.80 changed to 2.76
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $216.24changed to$173.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.86 changed to 2.80
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $267.42changed to$216.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 2.15 changed to 1.54
    • Practice expense RVU 4.51 changed to 3.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $266.09changed to$267.42

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $275.13changed to$266.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.50 changed to 4.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $278.61changed to$275.13

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.96 changed to 4.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.37
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $278.61

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$170.71$118.55RVU26D
2026-07-01$170.71$118.55RVU26C
2026-04-01$170.71$118.55RVU26B
2026-01-01$170.71$118.55RVU26A
2025-10-01$165.74$132.21RVU25D
2025-07-01$165.74$132.21RVU25C
2025-04-01$165.74$132.21RVU25B
2025-01-01$165.74$132.21RVU25A
2024-10-01$171.97$135.29RVU24D
2024-07-01$171.97$135.29RVU24C
2024-04-01$171.97$135.29RVU24B
2024-03-09$171.97$135.29RVU24AR
2024-01-01$169.17$133.08RVU24A
2023-10-01$174.99$136.90RVU23D
2023-07-01$174.99$136.90RVU23C
2023-04-01$174.99$136.90RVU23B
2023-01-01$174.99$136.90RVU23A
2022-10-01$177.94$137.08RVU22D
2022-07-01$177.94$137.08RVU22C
2022-04-01$177.94$137.08RVU22B
2022-01-01$177.94$137.08RVU22A
2021-10-01$179.29$138.48RVU21D
2021-07-01$179.29$138.48RVU21C
2021-04-01$179.29$138.48RVU21B
2021-01-01$179.29$138.48RVU21A
2020-10-01$176.41$139.86RVU20D
2020-07-01$176.41$139.86RVU20C
2020-04-01$176.41$139.86RVU20B
2020-01-01$176.41$139.86RVU20A
2019-10-01$174.65$141.39RVU19D
2019-07-01$174.65$141.39RVU19C
2019-04-01$174.65$141.39RVU19B
2019-01-01$174.65$141.39RVU19A
2018-10-01$172.06$142.04RVU18D
2018-07-01$172.06$142.04RVU18C
2018-04-01$172.06$142.04RVU18B
2018-01-01$172.06$142.04RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$173.70$140.42RVU17D
2017-07-01$173.70$140.42RVU17C
2017-04-01$173.70$140.42RVU17B
2017-01-01$173.70$140.42RVU17A
2016-10-01$216.24$167.68RVU16D
2016-07-01$216.24$167.68RVU16C
2016-04-01$216.24$167.68RVU16B
2016-01-01$216.24$167.68RVU16A
2015-10-01$267.42$207.00RVU15D
2015-07-01$267.42$207.00RVU15C
2015-04-01$266.09$205.97RVU15B
2015-01-01$266.09$205.97RVU15A
2014-10-01$275.13$214.76RVU14D
2014-07-01$275.13$214.76RVU14C
2014-04-01$275.13$214.76RVU14B
2014-01-01$275.13$214.76RVU14A
2013-10-01$278.61$215.16RVU13D
2013-07-01$278.61$215.16RVU13C
2013-04-01$278.61$215.16RVU13B
2013-01-01$278.61$215.16RVU13AR

Price 68810 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

68810 billing questions

When should 68810 be used instead of 68811?

Use 68810 for simple nasolacrimal duct probing when the service does not require general anesthesia. Use 68811 when the probing requires general anesthesia.

Does 68810 include irrigation?

Yes. Irrigation may be performed with the probing and is included in this service.

Can 68810 be reported when a stent or balloon catheter is used?

No. Tube or stent placement is represented by 68815, and probing with balloon catheter dilation is represented by 68816.

How is bilateral probing reported?

Report bilateral treatment with modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Are postoperative visits separately billable during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in 68810.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed for 68810?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this procedure. 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 68810PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,572 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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