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CPT code 96440: Pleural chemotherapy, with thoracentesis2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Reports antineoplastic medication delivered into the pleural cavity when thoracentesis is performed as part of the administration.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality40 Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $765.03 for 96440 in the office and $118.27 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$765.03Office (non-facility)
$118.27Hospital or facility
−0.3%vs the national office rate ($767.55)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 96440 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 96440 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 96440 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 96440 covers

This service covers administration of an antineoplastic medication into the pleural space, with thoracentesis included as part of the procedure. It may be performed for a patient with malignant pleural disease when medication is instilled into the cavity after fluid is aspirated. The physician or other qualified practitioner accesses the pleural space, removes fluid, and administers the medication during the same service.

Report 96440 when the documented service includes pleural-cavity chemotherapy and the required thoracentesis; the aspiration is not separately reported as a second thoracentesis service. Documentation should identify the medication, route, pleural access, aspiration, and administration. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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.

How Houston, TX compares for 96440

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 96440 runs from $667.70 in Arkansas to $1,079.07 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $765.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

96440 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$765.03
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$807.30+$42.27
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$704.93−$60.10
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$760.86−$4.17
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$764.76−$0.27
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$757.90−$7.13
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$762.47−$2.56

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

Every other payment area

96440 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$731.80$113.70
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$895.53$125.02
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$895.09$127.84
Miami, FLFlorida$803.08$125.06
Chicago, ILIllinois$777.56$122.99
Manhattan, NYNew York$886.94$130.11
AlaskaAlaska$845.84$152.19
AlabamaAlabama$679.01$109.11

96440 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.

$667.70

$956.05

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

View every state and territory as a table
96440 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$845.841
AL$679.011
AR$667.701
AZ$745.431
CA$833.03–$1,079.0729
CO$811.671
CT$823.241
DC$895.091
DE$759.131
FL$739.45–$803.083
GA$693.71–$779.782
GU$860.401
HI$860.401
IA$705.911
ID$709.721
IL$709.98–$790.344
IN$714.631
KS$698.791
KY$690.341
LA$687.77–$727.362
MA$804.42–$904.202
MD$776.18–$895.093
ME$710.42–$759.602
MI$707.95–$746.542
MN$784.331
MO$671.93–$734.343
MS$670.131
MT$767.541
NC$719.501
ND$764.781
NE$711.351
NH$795.341
NJ$834.51–$883.062
NM$711.051
NV$767.461
NY$731.56–$906.895
OH$707.381
OK$692.461
OR$763.40–$844.312
PA$710.55–$798.102
PR$775.101
RI$791.231
SC$714.251
SD$764.451
TN$702.411
TX$704.93–$807.308
UT$725.551
VA$754.41–$895.092
VI$775.101
VT$758.321
WA$804.04–$927.342
WI$735.251
WV$678.911
WY$766.341

See 96440 in every payment locality

How the 96440 rate is calculated

Each of 96440’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 · 96440

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.12

2.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense20.72

20.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

22.9800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$767.55

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

12,809

Code
96440
Physician work
2.12
Practice expense
20.72
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 96440 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.12× 1.0082.1370
Practice expense20.72× 0.99320.5750
Malpractice0.14× 1.3760.1926
Total RVUs22.9046
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$765.03

Office: (2.12 × 1.008 + 20.72 × 0.993 + 0.14 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $765.03

Facility: (2.12 × 1.008 + 1.22 × 0.993 + 0.14 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $118.27

Open 96440 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 96440

The CMS indicators that decide how 96440 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 96440

Pleural chemotherapy, with thoracentesis

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 96440

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

Codes related to 96440
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Used instead
96446Chemotherapy administration, peritoneal cavity via catheterUsed for chemotherapy into the peritoneal cavity through an implanted port or catheter.$157.61
96450Chemotherapy administration, into central nervous systemUsed for chemotherapy administered into the central nervous system.$162.42
96405Intralesional chemotherapy, up to seven lesionsFor intralesional chemotherapy rather than administration into the pleural cavity.$84.56
96406Intralesional chemotherapy, more than seven lesionsFor intralesional chemotherapy when the lesion-count criteria for that code are met.$132.18
32555Thoracentesis, with imaging guidanceThoracentesis with imaging guidance when pleural drainage, not chemotherapy administration, is performed.$312.71

How 96440 has changed in Houston, TX

96440 · Office / nonfacility

$765.03

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $67.37 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $697.66 to $765.03 (9.7%).

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

    $697.66changed to$765.03

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 19.15 changed to 20.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $749.88changed to$697.66

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 20.12 changed to 19.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $737.64changed to$749.88

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $777.20changed to$737.64

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 20.28 changed to 20.12
    • 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

    $828.32changed to$777.20

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 21.03 changed to 20.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $1022.79changed to$828.32

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 25.94 changed to 21.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $927.81changed to$1022.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 22.64 changed to 25.94
    • 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

    $863.62changed to$927.81

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 21.08 changed to 22.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.48
    • 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. July 1, 2019

    RVU19C

    $863.28changed to$863.62

    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $812.76changed to$863.28

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 19.71 changed to 21.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.49

    Held through RVU19B.

  11. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $796.77changed to$812.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 19.41 changed to 19.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.50
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  12. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $860.22changed to$796.77

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.37 changed to 2.12
    • Practice expense RVU 20.95 changed to 19.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.48
    • 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.

  13. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $875.61changed to$860.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 21.29 changed to 20.95

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  14. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $871.26changed to$875.61

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  15. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $857.79changed to$871.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 20.97 changed to 21.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.56
    • 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.

  16. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $906.28changed to$857.79

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 23.70 changed to 20.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.52
    • 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.

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $906.28

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$765.03$118.27RVU26D
2026-07-01$765.03$118.27RVU26C
2026-04-01$765.03$118.27RVU26B
2026-01-01$765.03$118.27RVU26A
2025-10-01$697.66$134.12RVU25D
2025-07-01$697.66$134.12RVU25C
2025-04-01$697.66$134.12RVU25B
2025-01-01$697.66$134.12RVU25A
2024-10-01$749.88$136.55RVU24D
2024-07-01$749.88$136.55RVU24C
2024-04-01$749.88$136.55RVU24B
2024-03-09$749.88$136.55RVU24AR
2024-01-01$737.64$134.32RVU24A
2023-10-01$777.20$136.81RVU23D
2023-07-01$777.20$136.81RVU23C
2023-04-01$777.20$136.81RVU23B
2023-01-01$777.20$136.81RVU23A
2022-10-01$828.32$138.21RVU22D
2022-07-01$828.32$138.21RVU22C
2022-04-01$828.32$138.21RVU22B
2022-01-01$828.32$138.21RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,022.79$127.32RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,022.79$127.32RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,022.79$127.32RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,022.79$127.32RVU21A
2020-10-01$927.81$130.11RVU20D
2020-07-01$927.81$130.11RVU20C
2020-04-01$927.81$130.11RVU20B
2020-01-01$927.81$130.11RVU20A
2019-10-01$863.62$129.81RVU19D
2019-07-01$863.62$129.81RVU19C
2019-04-01$863.28$129.47RVU19B
2019-01-01$863.28$129.47RVU19A
2018-10-01$812.76$130.03RVU18D
2018-07-01$812.76$130.03RVU18C
2018-04-01$812.76$130.03RVU18B
2018-01-01$812.76$130.03RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$796.77$129.75RVU17D
2017-07-01$796.77$129.75RVU17C
2017-04-01$796.77$129.75RVU17B
2017-01-01$796.77$129.75RVU17A
2016-10-01$860.22$144.52RVU16D
2016-07-01$860.22$144.52RVU16C
2016-04-01$860.22$144.52RVU16B
2016-01-01$860.22$144.52RVU16A
2015-10-01$875.61$145.04RVU15D
2015-07-01$875.61$145.04RVU15C
2015-04-01$871.26$144.32RVU15B
2015-01-01$871.26$144.32RVU15A
2014-10-01$857.79$142.42RVU14D
2014-07-01$857.79$142.42RVU14C
2014-04-01$857.79$142.42RVU14B
2014-01-01$857.79$142.42RVU14A
2013-10-01$906.28$138.55RVU13D
2013-07-01$906.28$138.55RVU13C
2013-04-01$906.28$138.55RVU13B
2013-01-01$906.28$138.55RVU13AR

Price 96440 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

96440 billing questions

Can I report a separate thoracentesis with 96440?

No. Thoracentesis is included in 96440 when performed as part of the pleural-cavity chemotherapy administration. A thoracentesis without chemotherapy is a different service.

How is 96440 different from 96446?

96440 is for medication delivered into the pleural cavity with thoracentesis. 96446 is for chemotherapy delivered into the peritoneal cavity through an implanted port or catheter.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for bilateral pleural treatment?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for 96440. Report the service based on the documented pleural-cavity administration rather than using modifier 50.

What documentation supports 96440?

Document the antineoplastic medication, pleural route, access and aspiration of fluid, and administration into the pleural cavity. The record should show that thoracentesis was part of the chemotherapy service.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is limited to cases with documented medical necessity. 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
RVUs for 96440PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,809 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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