CPT code 68815: Duct probing, with tube or stent2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vallejo, CA
Report nasolacrimal duct probing with tube or stent placement to treat tear-drainage obstruction, commonly in patients with persistent duct blockage.
In Vallejo, CA, Medicare pays $463.30 for 68815 in the office and $226.02 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 68815 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 68815 covers
An ophthalmologist probes the nasolacrimal duct to open an obstructed tear-drainage pathway and places a tube or stent to help maintain patency. The procedure is commonly used for persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children and may also be performed for acquired duct obstruction. It may include irrigation and is often performed in an operating room when a child requires anesthesia.
Choose this code when the probing includes placement of a tube or stent; probing without that placement is described by other codes in the family. Document the obstructed side, the probing, and tube or stent placement. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. 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% multiple-procedure reduction. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Vallejo, CA compares for 68815
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 68815 runs from $330.46 in Arkansas to $502.47 in San Benito County, CA. Vallejo, CA pays $463.30. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Vallejo, CA · this page$463.30
- Bakersfield, CA · California$398.72−$64.58
- Chico, CA · California$398.04−$65.26
- El Centro, CA · California$398.07−$65.23
- Fresno, CA · California$398.04−$65.26
- Hanford, CA · California$398.04−$65.26
- Los Angeles, CA · California$425.25−$38.05
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $463.65 | $226.37 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $423.54 | $210.74 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $400.35 | $203.03 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $418.35 | $208.97 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $416.80 | $208.14 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $427.04 | $211.73 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $491.71 | $237.87 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $491.47 | $237.63 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $502.47 | $242.87 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $501.50 | $241.89 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $410.00 | $204.95 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $431.50 | $212.76 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $418.48 | $208.56 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $435.91 | $214.83 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $398.04 | $200.72 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $428.15 | $216.07 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $395.22 | $207.81 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $384.18 | $203.25 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $427.89 | $218.70 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $431.95 | $240.21 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $335.27 | $177.74 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $330.46 | $175.81 |
| ArizonaArizona | $363.45 | $189.00 |
| ColoradoColorado | $390.41 | $198.86 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $397.74 | $203.85 |
| DelawareDelaware | $369.48 | $191.61 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $382.37 | $200.00 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $364.37 | $192.26 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $379.21 | $196.30 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $344.39 | $183.80 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $408.25 | $203.56 |
| IowaIowa | $345.21 | $180.48 |
| IdahoIdaho | $347.13 | $181.50 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $357.94 | $192.31 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $352.83 | $188.46 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $386.63 | $201.74 |
| IndianaIndiana | $349.17 | $182.28 |
| KansasKansas | $342.90 | $180.15 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $341.61 | $181.56 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $357.63 | $188.22 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $340.80 | $181.47 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $429.89 | $214.94 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $387.82 | $198.24 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $396.47 | $203.29 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $376.73 | $194.54 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $348.18 | $182.55 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $368.00 | $189.59 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $368.16 | $194.43 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $349.79 | $185.42 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $376.22 | $190.97 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $355.95 | $186.91 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $359.75 | $188.36 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $334.51 | $179.32 |
| MississippiMississippi | $332.58 | $177.58 |
| MontanaMontana | $373.07 | $193.04 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $351.91 | $183.95 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $368.92 | $188.89 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $347.30 | $181.13 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $383.62 | $196.21 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $423.62 | $214.78 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $402.88 | $206.29 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $351.40 | $186.32 |
| NevadaNevada | $372.19 | $191.98 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $437.31 | $223.25 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $404.95 | $207.81 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $432.45 | $219.65 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $357.09 | $186.06 |
| OhioOhio | $348.94 | $184.57 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $341.75 | $180.99 |
| Portland, OROregon | $403.58 | $203.57 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $369.89 | $190.58 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $387.43 | $200.02 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $349.89 | $184.62 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $376.04 | $194.03 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $383.18 | $197.21 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $350.89 | $184.54 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $368.43 | $188.40 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $344.52 | $180.87 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $388.60 | $198.13 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $347.55 | $183.72 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $369.74 | $191.33 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $371.77 | $192.46 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $369.08 | $191.57 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $370.64 | $191.87 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $374.48 | $195.71 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $358.22 | $187.37 |
| UtahUtah | $355.68 | $186.45 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $366.30 | $189.33 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $376.04 | $194.03 |
| VermontVermont | $366.84 | $188.61 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $387.30 | $197.73 |
| King County, WAWashington | $439.35 | $218.46 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $356.55 | $184.08 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $339.66 | $183.22 |
| WyomingWyoming | $371.26 | $191.23 |
68815 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.
$330.46
$450.26
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $431.95 | 1 |
| AL | $335.27 | 1 |
| AR | $330.46 | 1 |
| AZ | $363.45 | 1 |
| CA | $398.04–$502.47 | 29 |
| CO | $390.41 | 1 |
| CT | $397.74 | 1 |
| DC | $428.15 | 1 |
| DE | $369.48 | 1 |
| FL | $364.37–$395.22 | 3 |
| GA | $344.39–$379.21 | 2 |
| GU | $408.25 | 1 |
| HI | $408.25 | 1 |
| IA | $345.21 | 1 |
| ID | $347.13 | 1 |
| IL | $352.83–$386.63 | 4 |
| IN | $349.17 | 1 |
| KS | $342.90 | 1 |
| KY | $341.61 | 1 |
| LA | $340.80–$357.63 | 2 |
| MA | $387.82–$429.89 | 2 |
| MD | $376.73–$428.15 | 3 |
| ME | $348.18–$368.00 | 2 |
| MI | $349.79–$368.16 | 2 |
| MN | $376.22 | 1 |
| MO | $334.51–$359.75 | 3 |
| MS | $332.58 | 1 |
| MT | $373.07 | 1 |
| NC | $351.91 | 1 |
| ND | $368.92 | 1 |
| NE | $347.30 | 1 |
| NH | $383.62 | 1 |
| NJ | $402.88–$423.62 | 2 |
| NM | $351.40 | 1 |
| NV | $372.19 | 1 |
| NY | $357.09–$437.31 | 5 |
| OH | $348.94 | 1 |
| OK | $341.75 | 1 |
| OR | $369.89–$403.58 | 2 |
| PA | $349.89–$387.43 | 2 |
| PR | $376.04 | 1 |
| RI | $383.18 | 1 |
| SC | $350.89 | 1 |
| SD | $368.43 | 1 |
| TN | $344.52 | 1 |
| TX | $347.55–$388.60 | 8 |
| UT | $355.68 | 1 |
| VA | $366.30–$428.15 | 2 |
| VI | $376.04 | 1 |
| VT | $366.84 | 1 |
| WA | $387.30–$439.35 | 2 |
| WI | $356.55 | 1 |
| WV | $339.66 | 1 |
| WY | $371.26 | 1 |
How the 68815 rate is calculated
Each of 68815’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 · 68815
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.63
2.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense8.33
8.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
11.1700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$373.09
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Vallejo, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,574
- Code
- 68815
- Physician work
- 2.63
- Practice expense
- 8.33
- Malpractice
- 0.21
GPCI2026.csv
33
- Locality
- Vallejo, CA
- Physician work
- 1.063
- Practice expense
- 1.318
- Malpractice
- 0.459
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.63 | × 1.063 | 2.7957 |
| Practice expense | 8.33 | × 1.318 | 10.9789 |
| Malpractice | 0.21 | × 0.459 | 0.0964 |
| Total RVUs | 13.8710 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Vallejo, CA$463.30
Office: (2.63 × 1.063 + 8.33 × 1.318 + 0.21 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $463.30
Facility: (2.63 × 1.063 + 2.94 × 1.318 + 0.21 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $226.02
Payment rules and modifiers for 68815
68815 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 68815
Duct probing, with tube or stent
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 68815
Duct probing, with tube or stent
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.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
68815 without 50 · national office
$373.09
Duct probing, with tube or stent
68815-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$559.63
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).
How 68815 has changed in Vallejo, CA
68815 · Office / nonfacility
$463.30
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $25.75 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $437.55 to $463.30 (5.9%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$437.55changed to$463.30
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.70 changed to 2.63
- Practice expense RVU 8.07 changed to 8.33
- Work GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.063
- Practice expense GPCI 1.310 changed to 1.318
- Malpractice GPCI 0.470 changed to 0.459
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$460.03changed to$437.55
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 8.29 changed to 8.07
- Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$452.52changed to$460.03
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$456.45changed to$452.52
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 8.32 changed to 8.29
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.058
- Practice expense GPCI 1.265 changed to 1.310
- Malpractice GPCI 0.487 changed to 0.470
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$451.81changed to$456.45
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 8.30 changed to 8.32
- Work GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.051
- Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.265
- Malpractice GPCI 0.504 changed to 0.487
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$468.57changed to$451.81
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 8.61 changed to 8.30
- Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$468.95changed to$468.57
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 8.12 changed to 8.61
- Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.044
- Practice expense GPCI 1.238 changed to 1.220
- Malpractice GPCI 0.496 changed to 0.504
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$481.82changed to$468.95
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 8.30 changed to 8.12
- Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22
- Work GPCI 1.055 changed to 1.049
- Practice expense GPCI 1.256 changed to 1.238
- Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.496
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$486.72changed to$481.82
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 8.42 changed to 8.30
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$484.62changed to$486.72
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 8.30 changed to 8.42
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.055
- Practice expense GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.256
- Malpractice GPCI 0.477 changed to 0.458
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$484.62
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $463.30 | $226.02 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $463.30 | $226.02 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $463.30 | $226.02 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $463.30 | $226.02 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $437.55 | $252.80 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $437.55 | $252.80 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $437.55 | $252.80 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $437.55 | $252.80 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $460.03 | $259.88 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $460.03 | $259.88 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $460.03 | $259.88 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $460.03 | $259.88 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $452.52 | $255.63 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $456.45 | $254.97 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $456.45 | $254.97 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $456.45 | $254.97 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $456.45 | $254.97 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $451.81 | $249.15 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $451.81 | $249.15 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $451.81 | $249.15 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $451.81 | $249.15 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $468.57 | $250.62 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $468.57 | $250.62 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $468.57 | $250.62 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $468.57 | $250.62 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $468.95 | $255.83 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $468.95 | $255.83 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $468.95 | $255.83 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $468.95 | $255.83 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $481.82 | $260.02 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $481.82 | $260.02 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $481.82 | $260.02 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $481.82 | $260.02 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $486.72 | $260.64 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $486.72 | $260.64 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $486.72 | $260.64 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $486.72 | $260.64 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $484.62 | $260.19 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $484.62 | $260.19 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $484.62 | $260.19 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $484.62 | $260.19 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Vallejo, CA rate applies
Vallejo, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 11 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Vallejo
- Allendale
- Benicia
- Dixon
- Elmira
- Fairfield
- Green Valley
- Hartley
68815 billing questions
When should 68815 be chosen over 68810?
Use 68815 when nasolacrimal duct probing includes insertion of a tube or stent. Probing without tube or stent placement is reported with 68810.
Does anesthesia determine whether 68815 applies?
No. The distinguishing service is insertion of a tube or stent during probing, not the anesthesia used. The documentation should support the stent placement.
Can both sides be reported?
For bilateral treatment, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%. Document the procedure on each side.
Are postoperative visits separately reported?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure's payment.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 68815. 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
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