CPT code 69105: Ear canal biopsy, external auditory canal2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $134.85 for 69105 in the office and $54.92 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 69105 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 69105 covers

An otolaryngologist typically performs this biopsy when tissue from a lesion in the external auditory canal is needed for diagnosis, such as evaluation of a growth or abnormal area in the ear canal. The canal extends inward from the ear opening toward the tympanic membrane; a biopsy of the visible outer ear instead is a different service. The procedure may be performed in an office or facility, depending on the lesion and clinical circumstances.

Choose this code when the service is tissue sampling for diagnosis, rather than definitive removal of the canal lesion. Document the canal site, the abnormal finding, the reason for sampling, and the specimen obtained. A separately performed pathology interpretation may be reported by the responsible pathologist. This is a 0-day global procedure, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For bilateral reporting with modifier 50, CMS pays 150%. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued 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 South Carolina compares for 69105

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 69105 runs from $126.30 in Arkansas to $195.05 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $134.85. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

Every other payment area

69105 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

See 69105 in every payment locality

How the 69105 rate is calculated

Each of 69105’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 69105

The CMS indicators that decide how 69105 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 69105

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

How 69105 has changed in South Carolina

Price 69105 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

• Abbeville
• Abney Crossroads
• Adams Run
• Aiken
• Alcolu
• Allendale
• Anderson
• Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates