CPT code 69200: Ear canal removal, without general anesthesia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Report 69200 when a clinician removes a discrete foreign object from the external ear canal without general anesthesia, such as a bead or insect.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $75.30 for 69200 in the office and $38.86 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 69200 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 69200 covers
This service covers removing a discrete object lodged in the external auditory canal, such as a bead in a child’s ear or an insect. A primary care clinician, emergency physician, or otolaryngologist may remove it with an instrument or another appropriate technique in an office, emergency department, or facility. The distinguishing feature is that the removal is performed without general anesthesia; removal under general anesthesia is represented by a different code.
Document the affected ear, the foreign object, the removal method, and the anesthesia circumstances. Medicare assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For bilateral removal, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 Tennessee compares for 69200
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 69200 runs from $72.56 in Arkansas to $106.36 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $75.30. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$75.30
- Los Angeles, CA · California$91.34+$16.04
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$93.05+$17.75
- Miami, FL · Florida$89.63+$14.33
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$87.03+$11.73
- Manhattan, NY · New York$94.19+$18.89
- Alaska · Alaska$96.16+$20.86
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $73.60 | $38.53 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $72.56 | $38.13 |
| ArizonaArizona | $79.66 | $40.82 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $85.97 | $42.04 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $85.67 | $41.74 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $98.49 | $45.66 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $90.81 | $43.44 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $86.84 | $42.91 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $89.69 | $43.07 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $89.35 | $42.89 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $91.31 | $43.37 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $104.00 | $47.48 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $103.87 | $47.36 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $106.36 | $48.56 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $105.85 | $48.05 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $87.94 | $42.28 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $92.07 | $43.37 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $89.64 | $42.91 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $92.99 | $43.77 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $98.31 | $45.48 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $85.65 | $41.72 |
| ColoradoColorado | $84.73 | $42.08 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $87.19 | $44.03 |
| DelawareDelaware | $80.95 | $41.35 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $85.49 | $44.89 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $81.34 | $43.03 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $83.50 | $42.77 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $76.80 | $41.05 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $87.56 | $41.99 |
| IowaIowa | $75.10 | $38.43 |
| IdahoIdaho | $75.65 | $38.77 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $81.31 | $44.43 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $79.28 | $42.69 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $86.28 | $45.11 |
| IndianaIndiana | $76.07 | $38.91 |
| KansasKansas | $74.91 | $38.68 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $75.62 | $39.99 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $79.20 | $41.48 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $75.57 | $40.10 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $92.76 | $44.90 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $84.30 | $42.10 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $86.98 | $43.97 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $82.42 | $41.86 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $76.19 | $39.32 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $80.00 | $40.28 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $82.49 | $43.82 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $77.69 | $41.09 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $80.79 | $39.54 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $78.51 | $40.87 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $79.29 | $41.13 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $74.41 | $39.86 |
| MississippiMississippi | $73.49 | $38.98 |
| MontanaMontana | $81.82 | $41.74 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $76.95 | $39.55 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $79.65 | $39.57 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $75.46 | $38.46 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $83.55 | $41.83 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $92.16 | $45.66 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $88.08 | $44.31 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $78.16 | $41.41 |
| NevadaNevada | $81.27 | $41.15 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $96.62 | $48.97 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $88.78 | $44.89 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $94.72 | $47.35 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $78.09 | $40.01 |
| OhioOhio | $77.24 | $40.65 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $75.33 | $39.54 |
| Portland, OROregon | $87.19 | $42.66 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $80.53 | $40.61 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $85.17 | $43.45 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $77.28 | $40.48 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $82.36 | $41.84 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $83.66 | $42.26 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $77.24 | $40.21 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $79.39 | $39.31 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $84.54 | $42.14 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $76.79 | $40.32 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $80.75 | $41.03 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $81.32 | $41.40 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $80.84 | $41.32 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $81.03 | $41.23 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $83.04 | $43.24 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $78.77 | $40.73 |
| UtahUtah | $78.27 | $40.59 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $79.85 | $40.45 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $82.36 | $41.84 |
| VermontVermont | $79.49 | $39.81 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $84.09 | $41.89 |
| King County, WAWashington | $94.47 | $45.29 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $77.06 | $38.66 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $76.46 | $41.63 |
| WyomingWyoming | $80.88 | $40.80 |
69200 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.
$72.56
$96.16
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 | $96.16 | 1 |
| AL | $73.60 | 1 |
| AR | $72.56 | 1 |
| AZ | $79.66 | 1 |
| CA | $85.65–$106.36 | 29 |
| CO | $84.73 | 1 |
| CT | $87.19 | 1 |
| DC | $93.05 | 1 |
| DE | $80.95 | 1 |
| FL | $81.34–$89.63 | 3 |
| GA | $76.80–$83.50 | 2 |
| GU | $87.56 | 1 |
| HI | $87.56 | 1 |
| IA | $75.10 | 1 |
| ID | $75.65 | 1 |
| IL | $79.28–$87.03 | 4 |
| IN | $76.07 | 1 |
| KS | $74.91 | 1 |
| KY | $75.62 | 1 |
| LA | $75.57–$79.20 | 2 |
| MA | $84.30–$92.76 | 2 |
| MD | $82.42–$93.05 | 3 |
| ME | $76.19–$80.00 | 2 |
| MI | $77.69–$82.49 | 2 |
| MN | $80.79 | 1 |
| MO | $74.41–$79.29 | 3 |
| MS | $73.49 | 1 |
| MT | $81.82 | 1 |
| NC | $76.95 | 1 |
| ND | $79.65 | 1 |
| NE | $75.46 | 1 |
| NH | $83.55 | 1 |
| NJ | $88.08–$92.16 | 2 |
| NM | $78.16 | 1 |
| NV | $81.27 | 1 |
| NY | $78.09–$96.62 | 5 |
| OH | $77.24 | 1 |
| OK | $75.33 | 1 |
| OR | $80.53–$87.19 | 2 |
| PA | $77.28–$85.17 | 2 |
| PR | $82.36 | 1 |
| RI | $83.66 | 1 |
| SC | $77.24 | 1 |
| SD | $79.39 | 1 |
| TN | $75.30 | 1 |
| TX | $76.79–$84.54 | 8 |
| UT | $78.27 | 1 |
| VA | $79.85–$93.05 | 2 |
| VI | $82.36 | 1 |
| VT | $79.49 | 1 |
| WA | $84.09–$94.47 | 2 |
| WI | $77.06 | 1 |
| WV | $76.46 | 1 |
| WY | $80.88 | 1 |
How the 69200 rate is calculated
Each of 69200’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 · 69200
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.75
0.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.59
1.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.11
0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.4500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$81.83
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,592
- Code
- 69200
- Physician work
- 0.75
- Practice expense
- 1.59
- Malpractice
- 0.11
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.75 | × 1.000 | 0.7500 |
| Practice expense | 1.59 | × 0.909 | 1.4453 |
| Malpractice | 0.11 | × 0.537 | 0.0591 |
| Total RVUs | 2.2544 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$75.30
Office: (0.75 × 1 + 1.59 × 0.909 + 0.11 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $75.30
Facility: (0.75 × 1 + 0.39 × 0.909 + 0.11 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $38.86
Payment rules and modifiers for 69200
The CMS indicators that decide how 69200 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 69200
Ear canal removal, without general anesthesia
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
69200 without 50 · national office
$81.83
Ear canal removal, without general anesthesia
69200-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$122.75
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 69200 has changed in Tennessee
69200 · Office / nonfacility
$75.30
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.94 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $71.36 to $75.30 (5.5%).
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
$71.36changed to$75.30
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.77 changed to 0.75
- Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.59
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
- Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$73.55changed to$71.36
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.54 changed to 1.53
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$72.35changed to$73.55
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$74.38changed to$72.35
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.54
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$74.82changed to$74.38
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.50 changed to 1.53
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$75.75changed to$74.82
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.51 changed to 1.50
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$76.10changed to$75.75
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.43 changed to 1.51
- Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$76.73changed to$76.10
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.43
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
- Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
- Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$76.97changed to$76.73
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.46 changed to 1.45
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$76.97
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
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, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $75.30 | $38.86 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $75.30 | $38.86 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $75.30 | $38.86 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $75.30 | $38.86 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $71.36 | $42.96 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $71.36 | $42.96 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $71.36 | $42.96 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $71.36 | $42.96 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $73.55 | $43.73 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $73.55 | $43.73 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $73.55 | $43.73 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $73.55 | $43.73 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $72.35 | $43.02 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $74.38 | $44.08 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $74.38 | $44.08 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $74.38 | $44.08 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $74.38 | $44.08 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $74.82 | $44.26 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $74.82 | $44.26 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $74.82 | $44.26 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $74.82 | $44.26 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $75.75 | $44.01 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $75.75 | $44.01 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $75.75 | $44.01 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $75.75 | $44.01 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $76.10 | $45.02 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $76.10 | $45.02 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $76.10 | $45.02 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $76.10 | $45.02 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $76.73 | $45.23 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $76.73 | $45.23 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $76.73 | $45.23 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $76.73 | $45.23 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $76.97 | $45.18 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $76.97 | $45.18 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $76.97 | $45.18 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | 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 Tennessee rate applies
Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adams
- Adamsville
- Alamo
- Alcoa
- Alexandria
- Algood
- Allardt
- Altamont
69200 billing questions
How does 69200 differ from 69205?
69200 is for foreign-body removal without general anesthesia. Use 69205 when removal is performed under general anesthesia.
Can 69200 be reported for impacted earwax?
No. For impacted cerumen, choose the cerumen-removal code that matches the method: irrigation or lavage versus instrumentation.
How is removal from both ears reported?
For bilateral removal, report modifier 50; Medicare pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
Is same-day evaluation separately included?
The code has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
What documentation supports 69200?
Record the ear treated, the discrete foreign object removed, the technique, and whether general anesthesia was used.
How does Medicare handle other procedures performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are paid at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons or 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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