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CPT code 69610: Eardrum repair, patch or perforation preparation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a limited repair of a tympanic membrane perforation, such as edge preparation and patch placement, without more extensive middle-ear reconstruction.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $430.72 for 69610 in the office and $274.51 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$430.72Office (non-facility)
$274.51Hospital or facility
+12.7%vs the national office rate ($382.11)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 69610 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 69610 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 69610 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 69610 covers

An otolaryngologist uses this service for a limited repair of a tympanic membrane perforation, often by preparing the perforation margin and applying a patch. It is commonly performed in an office or outpatient setting for a persistent eardrum opening when a patch-based repair is appropriate. The service may include preparation of the perforation site; a patch may or may not be used.

Choose this code when the documented work is limited to the eardrum repair, rather than a more extensive tympanoplasty involving middle-ear reconstruction. The operative note should identify the perforation, the repair technique, and whether site preparation or a patch was used. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. If multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction. For bilateral repair, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. 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 Washington, DC area compares for 69610

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 69610 runs from $341.64 in Arkansas to $483.89 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $430.72. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

69610 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$430.72
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$420.60−$10.12
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$422.62−$8.10
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$411.02−$19.70
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$438.52+$7.80
  6. Alaska · Alaska$459.65+$28.93
  7. Alabama · Alabama$346.15−$84.57

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

69610 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$341.64$227.73
ArizonaArizona$372.44$243.94
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$397.49$252.16
Chico, CACalifornia$395.69$250.36
El Centro, CACalifornia$395.79$250.46
Fresno, CACalifornia$395.69$250.36
Hanford, CACalifornia$395.69$250.36
Madera, CACalifornia$395.69$250.36

69610 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.

$341.64

$459.65

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

View every state and territory as a table
69610 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$459.651
AL$346.151
AR$341.641
AZ$372.441
CA$395.69–$483.8929
CO$393.131
CT$405.981
DC$430.721
DE$378.151
FL$383.03–$422.623
GA$362.78–$390.162
GU$402.951
HI$402.951
IA$351.281
ID$353.931
IL$374.99–$411.024
IN$355.711
KS$351.121
KY$356.401
LA$356.42–$372.192
MA$391.67–$427.662
MD$384.45–$430.723
ME$357.02–$372.522
MI$366.01–$388.762
MN$373.781
MO$351.79–$371.793
MS$346.711
MT$382.061
NC$360.171
ND$369.811
NE$352.611
NH$388.361
NJ$409.79–$427.212
NM$368.361
NV$378.861
NY$365.17–$449.955
OH$363.501
OK$354.401
OR$375.09–$403.092
PA$363.27–$397.572
PR$384.171
RI$389.761
SC$362.601
SD$368.361
TN$352.881
TX$361.22–$392.558
UT$367.051
VA$372.35–$430.722
VI$384.171
VT$369.721
WA$390.49–$434.582
WI$358.711
WV$362.771
WY$376.721

See 69610 in every payment locality

How the 69610 rate is calculated

Each of 69610’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 · 69610

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.36

4.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.46

6.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.62

0.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.4400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$382.11

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,623

Code
69610
Physician work
4.36
Practice expense
6.46
Malpractice
0.62

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 69610 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.36× 1.0544.5954
Practice expense6.46× 1.1787.6099
Malpractice0.62× 1.1130.6901
Total RVUs12.8954
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$430.72

Office: (4.36 × 1.054 + 6.46 × 1.178 + 0.62 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $430.72

Facility: (4.36 × 1.054 + 2.49 × 1.178 + 0.62 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $274.51

Open 69610 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 69610

69610 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 69610

Eardrum repair, patch or perforation preparation

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 · 69610

Eardrum repair, patch or perforation preparation

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

69610 without 50 · national office

$382.11

Eardrum repair, patch or perforation preparation

69610-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$573.17

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 69610

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

Codes related to 69610
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
69620Myringoplasty, tympanic membrane perforationMyringoplasty is a separate choice when the documented repair fits that procedure's scope.$846.85
69631Tympanoplasty, no mastoidectomy or chain reconstructionTympanoplasty without mastoidectomy covers more extensive middle-ear work without ossicular chain reconstruction.No office rate
69632Tympanoplasty, without mastoidectomy, with ossicular reconstructionTympanoplasty without mastoidectomy includes ossicular chain reconstruction.No office rate

How 69610 has changed in Washington, DC area

69610 · Office / nonfacility

$430.72

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $423.00 to $430.72 (1.8%).

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

    $423.00changed to$430.72

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.47 changed to 4.36
    • Practice expense RVU 6.38 changed to 6.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $438.86changed to$423.00

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.45 changed to 6.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $431.70changed to$438.86

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $452.42changed to$431.70

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $462.03changed to$452.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.32 changed to 6.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $456.35changed to$462.03

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.11 changed to 6.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $447.21changed to$456.35

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.66 changed to 6.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.62 changed to 0.63
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $445.83changed to$447.21

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $445.34changed to$445.83

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $449.03changed to$445.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.81 changed to 5.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.64
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $453.81changed to$449.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.94 changed to 5.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $453.77changed to$453.81

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.88 changed to 5.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $451.52changed to$453.77

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $451.09changed to$451.52

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.01 changed to 5.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.66
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $452.45changed to$451.09

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.63 changed to 6.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.56
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $452.45

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$430.72$274.51RVU26D
2026-07-01$430.72$274.51RVU26C
2026-04-01$430.72$274.51RVU26B
2026-01-01$430.72$274.51RVU26A
2025-10-01$423.00$314.27RVU25D
2025-07-01$423.00$314.27RVU25C
2025-04-01$423.00$314.27RVU25B
2025-01-01$423.00$314.27RVU25A
2024-10-01$438.86$323.40RVU24D
2024-07-01$438.86$323.40RVU24C
2024-04-01$438.86$323.40RVU24B
2024-03-09$438.86$323.40RVU24AR
2024-01-01$431.70$318.12RVU24A
2023-10-01$452.42$331.47RVU23D
2023-07-01$452.42$331.47RVU23C
2023-04-01$452.42$331.47RVU23B
2023-01-01$452.42$331.47RVU23A
2022-10-01$462.03$336.28RVU22D
2022-07-01$462.03$336.28RVU22C
2022-04-01$462.03$336.28RVU22B
2022-01-01$462.03$336.28RVU22A
2021-10-01$456.35$333.87RVU21D
2021-07-01$456.35$333.87RVU21C
2021-04-01$456.35$333.87RVU21B
2021-01-01$456.35$333.87RVU21A
2020-10-01$447.21$336.60RVU20D
2020-07-01$447.21$336.60RVU20C
2020-04-01$447.21$336.60RVU20B
2020-01-01$447.21$336.60RVU20A
2019-10-01$445.83$334.66RVU19D
2019-07-01$445.83$334.66RVU19C
2019-04-01$445.83$334.66RVU19B
2019-01-01$445.83$334.66RVU19A
2018-10-01$445.34$332.99RVU18D
2018-07-01$445.34$332.99RVU18C
2018-04-01$445.34$332.99RVU18B
2018-01-01$445.34$332.99RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$449.03$337.02RVU17D
2017-07-01$449.03$337.02RVU17C
2017-04-01$449.03$337.02RVU17B
2017-01-01$449.03$337.02RVU17A
2016-10-01$453.81$339.91RVU16D
2016-07-01$453.81$339.91RVU16C
2016-04-01$453.81$339.91RVU16B
2016-01-01$453.81$339.91RVU16A
2015-10-01$453.77$340.33RVU15D
2015-07-01$453.77$340.33RVU15C
2015-04-01$451.52$338.64RVU15B
2015-01-01$451.52$338.64RVU15A
2014-10-01$451.09$337.42RVU14D
2014-07-01$451.09$337.42RVU14C
2014-04-01$451.09$337.42RVU14B
2014-01-01$451.09$337.42RVU14A
2013-10-01$452.45$331.81RVU13D
2013-07-01$452.45$331.81RVU13C
2013-04-01$452.45$331.81RVU13B
2013-01-01$452.45$331.81RVU13AR

Price 69610 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

69610 billing questions

When is 69610 preferable to 69620?

Use 69610 for a limited tympanic membrane repair, such as perforation-margin preparation with or without a patch. 69620 represents myringoplasty and should be selected when the documented procedure meets that service’s scope.

Is patch placement separately reported?

No. Patch use is included in 69610, and site preparation may also be part of the repair.

How is bilateral repair reported?

Report modifier 50 for bilateral repair; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

What documentation supports 69610 instead of tympanoplasty?

Document the tympanic membrane perforation and the limited repair performed, including site preparation and patch use when applicable. A more extensive procedure involving middle-ear reconstruction may point to a tympanoplasty code instead.

Are postoperative visits separately payable during the global period?

Related postoperative visits for 10 days are included in the procedure’s global period.

What happens when another procedure is 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.

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 69610PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,623 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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