CPT code 68840: Tear duct probing, lacrimal canaliculi2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA

Probing the lacrimal canaliculi, with or without irrigation, evaluates or treats a blockage in the small tear-drainage channels near the eyelid.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality30K Medicare services in 2024

In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $142.14 for 68840 in the office and $109.56 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$142.14Office (non-facility)
$109.56Hospital or facility
+5.9%vs the national office rate ($134.27)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 68840 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 68840 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in El Centro, CA
  2. What 68840 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 68840 covers

An ophthalmologist, often an oculoplastic surgeon, passes a probe through the lacrimal punctum into a canaliculus to assess or relieve an obstruction. Irrigation may be performed as part of the service. The procedure is used for problems such as tearing associated with suspected canalicular narrowing or blockage, and may be performed in an office procedure room or an operating room depending on the patient and clinical circumstances.

Report 68840 when the treated structure is a lacrimal canaliculus, rather than the nasolacrimal duct. Document the affected side, the clinical indication, and the probing performed; irrigation does not require a separate 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 others at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 El Centro, CA compares for 68840

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 68840 runs from $120.29 in Arkansas to $176.81 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $142.14. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

68840 in El Centro, CA vs other payment areas
  1. El Centro, CA · this page$142.14
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$142.43+$0.29
  3. Chico, CA · California$142.13−$0.01
  4. Fresno, CA · California$142.13−$0.01
  5. Hanford, CA · California$142.13−$0.01
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$151.26+$9.12
  7. Madera, CA · California$142.13−$0.01

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

Every other payment area

68840 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$142.13$109.55
Modesto, CACalifornia$142.13$109.55
Napa, CACalifornia$163.72$124.54
Oxnard, CACalifornia$150.50$115.36
Redding, CACalifornia$142.13$109.55
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$142.13$109.55
Riverside, CACalifornia$143.12$110.54
Sacramento, CACalifornia$148.89$114.31

68840 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.

$120.29

$159.91

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

View every state and territory as a table
68840 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$159.911
AL$121.861
AR$120.291
AZ$131.081
CA$142.13–$176.8129
CO$139.811
CT$142.591
DC$152.721
DE$133.111
FL$131.87–$142.513
GA$125.25–$136.422
GU$145.181
HI$145.181
IA$124.911
ID$125.581
IL$128.23–$139.294
IN$126.241
KS$124.251
KY$124.151
LA$123.93–$129.442
MA$139.05–$152.922
MD$135.52–$152.723
ME$126.03–$132.362
MI$126.93–$133.222
MN$134.731
MO$121.93–$130.013
MS$121.141
MT$134.271
NC$127.231
ND$132.491
NE$125.561
NH$137.541
NJ$144.43–$151.362
NM$127.501
NV$133.861
NY$128.94–$156.355
OH$126.571
OK$124.091
OR$133.02–$144.042
PA$126.82–$139.262
PR$135.201
RI$137.681
SC$127.071
SD$132.281
TN$124.791
TX$126.06–$139.178
UT$128.631
VA$131.88–$152.722
VI$135.201
VT$131.901
WA$138.81–$156.012
WI$128.461
WV$123.931
WY$133.491

See 68840 in every payment locality

How the 68840 rate is calculated

Each of 68840’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 · 68840

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.27

1.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.66

2.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.0200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$134.27

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

The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,576

Code
68840
Physician work
1.27
Practice expense
2.66
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office calculation for 68840 in El Centro, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.27× 1.0171.2916
Practice expense2.66× 1.0962.9154
Malpractice0.09× 0.5410.0487
Total RVUs4.2556
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, El Centro, CA$142.14

Office: (1.27 × 1.017 + 2.66 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $142.14

Facility: (1.27 × 1.017 + 1.77 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $109.56

Open 68840 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 68840

68840 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 68840

Tear duct probing, lacrimal canaliculi

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 · 68840

Tear duct probing, lacrimal canaliculi

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

68840 without 50 · national office

$134.27

Tear duct probing, lacrimal canaliculi

68840-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$201.41

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 68840 has changed in El Centro, CA

68840 · Office / nonfacility

$142.14

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $135.34 to $142.14 (5.0%).

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

    $135.34changed to$142.14

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.30 changed to 1.27
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $140.01changed to$135.34

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.57

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $137.72changed to$140.01

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $140.60changed to$137.72

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.56 changed to 2.59
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $140.49changed to$140.60

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.50 changed to 2.56
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $140.52changed to$140.49

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.50
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $139.21changed to$140.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $137.89changed to$139.21

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.28 changed to 2.31
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $137.34changed to$137.89

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.28
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $135.71changed to$137.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.27
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$135.71

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$142.14$109.56RVU26D
2026-07-01$142.14$109.56RVU26C
2026-04-01$142.14$109.56RVU26B
2026-01-01$142.14$109.56RVU26A
2025-10-01$135.34$119.08RVU25D
2025-07-01$135.34$119.08RVU25C
2025-04-01$135.34$119.08RVU25B
2025-01-01$135.34$119.08RVU25A
2024-10-01$140.01$122.18RVU24D
2024-07-01$140.01$122.18RVU24C
2024-04-01$140.01$122.18RVU24B
2024-03-09$140.01$122.18RVU24AR
2024-01-01$137.72$120.19RVU24A
2023-10-01$140.60$122.32RVU23D
2023-07-01$140.60$122.32RVU23C
2023-04-01$140.60$122.32RVU23B
2023-01-01$140.60$122.32RVU23A
2022-10-01$140.49$121.32RVU22D
2022-07-01$140.49$121.32RVU22C
2022-04-01$140.49$121.32RVU22B
2022-01-01$140.49$121.32RVU22A
2021-10-01$140.52$121.94RVU21D
2021-07-01$140.52$121.94RVU21C
2021-04-01$140.52$121.94RVU21B
2021-01-01$140.52$121.94RVU21A
2020-10-01$139.21$122.61RVU20D
2020-07-01$139.21$122.61RVU20C
2020-04-01$139.21$122.61RVU20B
2020-01-01$139.21$122.61RVU20A
2019-10-01$137.89$123.95RVU19D
2019-07-01$137.89$123.95RVU19C
2019-04-01$137.89$123.95RVU19B
2019-01-01$137.89$123.95RVU19A
2018-10-01$137.34$124.19RVU18D
2018-07-01$137.34$124.19RVU18C
2018-04-01$137.34$124.19RVU18B
2018-01-01$137.34$124.19RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$135.71$123.71RVU17D
2017-07-01$135.71$123.71RVU17C
2017-04-01$135.71$123.71RVU17B
2017-01-01$135.71$123.71RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
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 68840 for an earlier date of service

Where the El Centro, CA rate applies

El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • El Centro
  • Bombay Beach
  • Brawley
  • Calexico
  • Calipatria
  • Desert Shores
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
  • Heber

Browse all communities in California

68840 billing questions

When should 68840 be chosen over 68810?

Use 68840 when probing the lacrimal canaliculi. Code 68810 is for probing the nasolacrimal duct, a different part of the tear-drainage pathway.

Is irrigation separately reported with 68840?

No. Irrigation may be part of the canalicular probing service and is not separately reported as an additional service under this code.

How is bilateral canalicular probing reported?

Report modifier 50 for bilateral treatment. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150% of the single-side amount.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted 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 68840PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,576 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El Centro, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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