CPT code 69706: Eustachian tube dilation, bilateral, endoscopic2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California
Reports endoscopic dilation of both eustachian tubes, typically by balloon, to treat obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction.
Medicare pays $2,893.94–$3,772.46 for 69706 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 69706 covers
An otolaryngologist reaches the eustachian tube openings through the nose using a nasopharyngoscope, then dilates both tubes, commonly with a balloon catheter. The procedure is used for obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause persistent ear pressure, trouble equalizing pressure, or middle-ear ventilation problems. It may be performed in an office-based procedure setting or a facility, depending on the patient and practice setup.
Report 69706 when both eustachian tubes are surgically dilated during the session; use the unilateral code when only one side is treated. The operative note should identify the treated sides, the dilation performed, and the clinical findings supporting treatment. The bilateral service is already reflected in the code, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, including same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy family pricing applies. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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.
Where 69706 pays more and less in California
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
29 payment localities
$2893.94 to $3772.46
29 of 29 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | $2,895.69 | $204.68 |
| Chico, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| El Centro, CA | $2,894.05 | $203.04 |
| Fresno, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Hanford, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,117.50 | $212.87 |
| Madera, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Marin County, CA | $3,688.78 | $226.81 |
| Merced, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Modesto, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Napa, CA | $3,455.16 | $219.07 |
| Oxnard, CA | $3,112.37 | $210.20 |
| Redding, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Rest of California | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Riverside, CA | $2,900.44 | $209.43 |
| Sacramento, CA | $3,064.20 | $208.69 |
| Salinas, CA | $3,053.50 | $207.81 |
| San Benito County, CA | $3,772.46 | $231.92 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,146.04 | $209.51 |
| San Francisco, CA | $3,688.10 | $226.13 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $3,001.52 | $204.93 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $3,769.68 | $229.14 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $3,192.21 | $209.02 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $3,070.59 | $207.71 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $3,225.98 | $210.87 |
| Stockton, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Vallejo, CA | $3,454.18 | $218.09 |
| Visalia, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Yuba City, CA | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
How the 69706 rate is calculated
Each of 69706’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 · 69706
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work4.16
4.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense74.90
74.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.60
0.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
79.6600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$2,660.72
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 69706
The CMS indicators that decide how 69706 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 69706
Eustachian tube dilation, bilateral, endoscopic
| 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 | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| 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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
69706 without 51 · national office
$2,660.72
Eustachian tube dilation, bilateral, endoscopic
69706-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$1,330.36
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
69706 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 69705Eustachian tube dilationUnilateral endoscopic dilation
- This is the unilateral sibling. Choose 69705 for dilation of one eustachian tube and 69706 for dilation of both.
- 69436TympanostomyTube insertion, general anesthesia
- 69436 places a ventilation tube through the tympanic membrane, while 69706 dilates both eustachian tubes endoscopically through the nose.
- 92511NasopharyngoscopyEndoscopic nasopharynx exam
- 92511 is diagnostic nasopharyngoscopy. It does not represent surgical dilation of both eustachian tubes.
69706 billing questions
When should 69706 be used instead of 69705?
Use 69706 when both eustachian tubes are surgically dilated in the session. Use 69705 when dilation is performed on one side only.
Should modifier 50 be appended for bilateral treatment?
No. 69706 is already priced as a bilateral service, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
Can the nasopharyngoscopy used to guide dilation be reported separately?
The endoscopic approach is part of the surgical dilation service. Do not separately report a diagnostic scope for the visualization used to perform that same dilation.
What documentation supports reporting 69706?
Document the obstructive eustachian tube condition, the clinical findings supporting treatment, and that dilation was performed on both sides.
What happens when another related endoscopy is performed in the same session?
CMS endoscopy family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. The claim is subject to that family pricing rather than treating each related endoscopy as an entirely independent procedure.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is available only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.
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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