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CPT code 69220: Mastoid cleaning, simple cavity cleaning2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Reports routine cleaning of a postmastoidectomy cavity, typically by an otolaryngologist removing debris during an office visit.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality36.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $79.88 for 69220 in the office and $46.05 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$79.88Office (non-facility)
$46.05Hospital or facility
+1.8%vs the national office rate ($78.49)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 69220 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 69220 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 69220 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 69220 covers

An otolaryngologist typically uses direct visualization to remove debris, crusting, or accumulated material from a mastoid cavity created by prior surgery. This is the routine, simple cleaning service for a patient who returns for ongoing cavity care; it is not a procedure to remove impacted cerumen from the external ear canal. The service is commonly performed in an office, though it may also occur in a facility setting.

Document the mastoid cavity being treated, the material removed, and the work performed so the record supports simple rather than complicated cleaning. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is 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% reduction. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. 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 Houston, TX compares for 69220

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 69220 runs from $69.86 in Arkansas to $100.57 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $79.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

69220 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$79.88
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$80.84+$0.96
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$73.94−$5.94
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$77.40−$2.48
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$77.98−$1.90
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$77.55−$2.33
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$77.69−$2.19

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

Every other payment area

69220 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$75.68$43.35
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$86.93$46.63
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$88.85$48.72
Miami, FLFlorida$86.57$51.10
Chicago, ILIllinois$84.11$49.87
Manhattan, NYNew York$90.26$50.67
AlaskaAlaska$93.30$57.02
AlabamaAlabama$70.82$41.01

69220 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.

$69.86

$93.30

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

View every state and territory as a table
69220 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$93.301
AL$70.821
AR$69.861
AZ$76.441
CA$81.65–$100.5729
CO$80.971
CT$83.531
DC$88.851
DE$77.651
FL$78.42–$86.573
GA$74.14–$80.142
GU$83.301
HI$83.301
IA$72.041
ID$72.591
IL$76.62–$84.114
IN$72.971
KS$71.951
KY$72.891
LA$72.87–$76.242
MA$80.63–$88.362
MD$79.00–$88.853
ME$73.18–$76.592
MI$74.88–$79.582
MN$77.051
MO$71.84–$76.223
MS$70.851
MT$78.481
NC$73.871
ND$76.111
NE$72.351
NH$79.941
NJ$84.33–$88.062
NM$75.361
NV$77.871
NY$74.93–$92.625
OH$74.401
OK$72.521
OR$77.11–$83.162
PA$74.38–$81.702
PR$78.951
RI$80.141
SC$74.291
SD$75.831
TN$72.321
TX$73.94–$80.848
UT$75.241
VA$76.51–$88.852
VI$78.951
VT$76.041
WA$80.40–$89.882
WI$73.731
WV$74.011
WY$77.451

See 69220 in every payment locality

How the 69220 rate is calculated

Each of 69220’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 · 69220

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.81

0.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.42

1.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.3500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$78.49

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

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,596

Code
69220
Physician work
0.81
Practice expense
1.42
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 69220 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.81× 1.0080.8165
Practice expense1.42× 0.9931.4101
Malpractice0.12× 1.3760.1651
Total RVUs2.3917
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$79.88

Office: (0.81 × 1.008 + 1.42 × 0.993 + 0.12 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $79.88

Facility: (0.81 × 1.008 + 0.4 × 0.993 + 0.12 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $46.05

Open 69220 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 69220

The CMS indicators that decide how 69220 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 69220

Mastoid cleaning, simple cavity cleaning

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

69220 without 50 · national office

$78.49

Mastoid cleaning, simple cavity cleaning

69220-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$117.74

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 69220

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

Codes related to 69220
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Same family
69222Mastoid cleaning, complicated debridementComplicated mastoid cavity cleaning; distinguish it from routine, simple cleaning.$218.65
Used instead
69209Earwax removal, irrigation or lavageFor impacted external-canal cerumen removed by irrigation or lavage, not mastoid-cavity debris.$17.04
69210Impacted ear wax removal, instrumentation, unilateralFor impacted external-canal cerumen removed with instrumentation, not mastoid-cavity debris.$48.62

How 69220 has changed in Houston, TX

69220 · Office / nonfacility

$79.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $79.22 to $79.88 (0.8%).

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

    $79.22changed to$79.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.83 changed to 0.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $80.72changed to$79.22

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.41 changed to 1.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $79.40changed to$80.72

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $81.67changed to$79.40

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.40 changed to 1.41
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $81.14changed to$81.67

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $82.80changed to$81.14

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.36 changed to 1.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $82.60changed to$82.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $83.43changed to$82.60

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $84.43changed to$83.43

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.37 changed to 1.34

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $92.76changed to$84.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.61 changed to 1.37
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $114.35changed to$92.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 1.61
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $141.53changed to$114.35

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $140.82changed to$141.53

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $141.41changed to$140.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.00 changed to 2.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $146.18changed to$141.41

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.36 changed to 3.00
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $146.18

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$79.88$46.05RVU26D
2026-07-01$79.88$46.05RVU26C
2026-04-01$79.88$46.05RVU26B
2026-01-01$79.88$46.05RVU26A
2025-10-01$79.22$52.61RVU25D
2025-07-01$79.22$52.61RVU25C
2025-04-01$79.22$52.61RVU25B
2025-01-01$79.22$52.61RVU25A
2024-10-01$80.72$53.34RVU24D
2024-07-01$80.72$53.34RVU24C
2024-04-01$80.72$53.34RVU24B
2024-03-09$80.72$53.34RVU24AR
2024-01-01$79.40$52.47RVU24A
2023-10-01$81.67$53.44RVU23D
2023-07-01$81.67$53.44RVU23C
2023-04-01$81.67$53.44RVU23B
2023-01-01$81.67$53.44RVU23A
2022-10-01$81.14$52.65RVU22D
2022-07-01$81.14$52.65RVU22C
2022-04-01$81.14$52.65RVU22B
2022-01-01$81.14$52.65RVU22A
2021-10-01$82.80$53.00RVU21D
2021-07-01$82.80$53.00RVU21C
2021-04-01$82.80$53.00RVU21B
2021-01-01$82.80$53.00RVU21A
2020-10-01$82.60$53.52RVU20D
2020-07-01$82.60$53.52RVU20C
2020-04-01$82.60$53.52RVU20B
2020-01-01$82.60$53.52RVU20A
2019-10-01$83.43$53.52RVU19D
2019-07-01$83.43$53.52RVU19C
2019-04-01$83.43$53.52RVU19B
2019-01-01$83.43$53.52RVU19A
2018-10-01$84.43$53.47RVU18D
2018-07-01$84.43$53.47RVU18C
2018-04-01$84.43$53.47RVU18B
2018-01-01$84.43$53.47RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$92.76$53.65RVU17D
2017-07-01$92.76$53.65RVU17C
2017-04-01$92.76$53.65RVU17B
2017-01-01$92.76$53.65RVU17A
2016-10-01$114.35$54.20RVU16D
2016-07-01$114.35$54.20RVU16C
2016-04-01$114.35$54.20RVU16B
2016-01-01$114.35$54.20RVU16A
2015-10-01$141.53$64.53RVU15D
2015-07-01$141.53$64.53RVU15C
2015-04-01$140.82$64.21RVU15B
2015-01-01$140.82$64.21RVU15A
2014-10-01$141.41$64.44RVU14D
2014-07-01$141.41$64.44RVU14C
2014-04-01$141.41$64.44RVU14B
2014-01-01$141.41$64.44RVU14A
2013-10-01$146.18$63.68RVU13D
2013-07-01$146.18$63.68RVU13C
2013-04-01$146.18$63.68RVU13B
2013-01-01$146.18$63.68RVU13AR

Price 69220 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

69220 billing questions

When should 69220 be selected instead of 69222?

Use 69220 for routine, simple cleaning of a mastoid cavity. Use 69222 when the documented cavity cleaning is complicated.

Is cleaning a mastoid cavity the same as removing earwax?

No. 69220 addresses debris or material in a postmastoidectomy cavity; 69209 and 69210 address impacted cerumen in the external ear canal.

How is bilateral cleaning reported?

The CMS payment rule specifies modifier 50 for bilateral treatment, paid at 150%. Document treatment of both mastoid cavities.

Is same-day evaluation or postoperative care separately included?

The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. The rule does not extend that inclusion to care on a later date.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for 69220?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. 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 69220PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,596 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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