FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 68810: Tear duct probing, simple probing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Fort Worth, TX

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 Fort Worth, TX, Medicare pays $159.10 for 68810 in the office and $111.35 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$159.10Office (non-facility)
$111.35Hospital or facility
−1.0%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 Fort Worth, TX
  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 Fort Worth, TX 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. Fort Worth, TX pays $159.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

68810 in Fort Worth, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Fort Worth, TX · this page$159.10
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$166.48+$7.38
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$150.78−$8.32
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$159.22+$0.12
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$160.11+$1.01
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$159.62+$0.52
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$161.82+$2.72

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

Every other payment area

68810 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$154.84$108.87
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$180.86$123.57
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$182.78$125.73
Miami, FLFlorida$171.16$120.74
Chicago, ILIllinois$166.73$118.06
Manhattan, NYNew York$183.47$127.20
AlaskaAlaska$190.84$139.26
AlabamaAlabama$145.60$103.22

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 Fort Worth, TX 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

100

Locality
Fort Worth, TX
Physician work
1.009
Practice expense
0.986
Malpractice
0.871
Office calculation for 68810 in Fort Worth, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.50× 1.0091.5135
Practice expense3.19× 0.9863.1453
Malpractice0.12× 0.8710.1045
Total RVUs4.7634
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Fort Worth, TX$159.10

Office: (1.5 × 1.009 + 3.19 × 0.986 + 0.12 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $159.10

Facility: (1.5 × 1.009 + 1.74 × 0.986 + 0.12 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $111.35

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, Fort Worth, TX
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.$369.08
68816Tear duct dilation, balloon catheterNasolacrimal duct probing with balloon catheter dilation.$821.00
Used instead
68840Tear duct probing, lacrimal canaliculiProbes the lacrimal canaliculi rather than the nasolacrimal duct.$133.02

How 68810 has changed in Fort Worth, TX

68810 · Office / nonfacility

$159.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $154.55 to $159.10 (2.9%).

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

    $154.55changed to$159.10

    • 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 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.998 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.871

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $160.41changed to$154.55

    • 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

    $157.79changed to$160.41

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $161.44changed to$157.79

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.13 changed to 3.16
    • Work GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.996 changed to 0.998
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.721 changed to 0.902

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $162.60changed to$161.44

    • 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 1.016 changed to 1.013
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.721

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $163.63changed to$162.60

    • 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

    $161.03changed to$163.63

    • 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 1.011 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $159.06changed to$161.03

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.82 changed to 2.86
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $156.75changed to$159.06

    • 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

    $158.18changed to$156.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.80 changed to 2.76
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.760 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $195.97changed to$158.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.86 changed to 2.80
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.772 changed to 0.760

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $243.05changed to$195.97

    • 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

    $241.84changed to$243.05

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $246.87changed to$241.84

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.987 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.799 changed to 0.772

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $249.32changed to$246.87

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.979 changed to 0.987
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.799

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $249.32

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$159.10$111.35RVU26D
2026-07-01$159.10$111.35RVU26C
2026-04-01$159.10$111.35RVU26B
2026-01-01$159.10$111.35RVU26A
2025-10-01$154.55$123.88RVU25D
2025-07-01$154.55$123.88RVU25C
2025-04-01$154.55$123.88RVU25B
2025-01-01$154.55$123.88RVU25A
2024-10-01$160.41$126.85RVU24D
2024-07-01$160.41$126.85RVU24C
2024-04-01$160.41$126.85RVU24B
2024-03-09$160.41$126.85RVU24AR
2024-01-01$157.79$124.78RVU24A
2023-10-01$161.44$127.01RVU23D
2023-07-01$161.44$127.01RVU23C
2023-04-01$161.44$127.01RVU23B
2023-01-01$161.44$127.01RVU23A
2022-10-01$162.60$126.10RVU22D
2022-07-01$162.60$126.10RVU22C
2022-04-01$162.60$126.10RVU22B
2022-01-01$162.60$126.10RVU22A
2021-10-01$163.63$127.17RVU21D
2021-07-01$163.63$127.17RVU21C
2021-04-01$163.63$127.17RVU21B
2021-01-01$163.63$127.17RVU21A
2020-10-01$161.03$128.48RVU20D
2020-07-01$161.03$128.48RVU20C
2020-04-01$161.03$128.48RVU20B
2020-01-01$161.03$128.48RVU20A
2019-10-01$159.06$129.56RVU19D
2019-07-01$159.06$129.56RVU19C
2019-04-01$159.06$129.56RVU19B
2019-01-01$159.06$129.56RVU19A
2018-10-01$156.75$130.13RVU18D
2018-07-01$156.75$130.13RVU18C
2018-04-01$156.75$130.13RVU18B
2018-01-01$156.75$130.13RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$158.18$128.66RVU17D
2017-07-01$158.18$128.66RVU17C
2017-04-01$158.18$128.66RVU17B
2017-01-01$158.18$128.66RVU17A
2016-10-01$195.97$152.86RVU16D
2016-07-01$195.97$152.86RVU16C
2016-04-01$195.97$152.86RVU16B
2016-01-01$195.97$152.86RVU16A
2015-10-01$243.05$189.42RVU15D
2015-07-01$243.05$189.42RVU15C
2015-04-01$241.84$188.48RVU15B
2015-01-01$241.84$188.48RVU15A
2014-10-01$246.87$193.48RVU14D
2014-07-01$246.87$193.48RVU14C
2014-04-01$246.87$193.48RVU14B
2014-01-01$246.87$193.48RVU14A
2013-10-01$249.32$193.36RVU13D
2013-07-01$249.32$193.36RVU13C
2013-04-01$249.32$193.36RVU13B
2013-01-01$249.32$193.36RVU13AR

Price 68810 for an earlier date of service

Where the Fort Worth, TX rate applies

Fort Worth, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 45 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Fort Worth, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 100 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 68810 pays in Fort Worth, TX?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 68810 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist