CPT code 96446: Chemotherapy administration, peritoneal cavity via catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Louisiana
Reports antineoplastic medication administration into the peritoneal cavity through an indwelling port or catheter, such as for treatment of peritoneal malignancy.
Medicare pays $140.64–$149.23 for 96446 in the office in Louisiana, from Rest of Louisiana to New Orleans, LA. 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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What 96446 covers
This service covers delivery of antineoplastic medication into the peritoneal cavity through an indwelling port or catheter. It is commonly performed by oncology clinicians for patients receiving intraperitoneal treatment, including treatment for ovarian or other cancers involving the peritoneum. The access device is already in place; this code describes the chemotherapy administration, not placement of the port or catheter. It is distinct from delivering medication into the pleural cavity, central nervous system, or bloodstream.
Select the code based on the medication’s route and the access method, not simply the drug used or the patient’s diagnosis. Documentation should identify the antineoplastic agent, the intraperitoneal route, use of the indwelling access device, and the administration performed. The medication product is separate from the administration service and may be reported with its applicable drug code when separately furnished and reportable. It is billed as an incident-to service only when performed under physician supervision.
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 96446 pays more and less in Louisiana
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | $149.23 | $19.43 |
| Rest of Louisiana | $140.64 | $18.56 |
How the 96446 rate is calculated
Each of 96446’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 · 96446
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.37
0.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.21
4.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.12
0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.7000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$156.98
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 96446
The CMS indicators that decide how 96446 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 96446
Chemotherapy administration, peritoneal cavity via catheter
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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 | 5 | Incident-to service. |
96446 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 96440Pleural chemotherapyWith thoracentesis
- The cavity determines the choice: 96446 is for intraperitoneal administration through an indwelling port or catheter, while 96440 is for administration into the pleural cavity.
- 96450Chemotherapy administrationInto central nervous system
- Use 96446 for the peritoneal cavity. Code 96450 covers chemotherapy administration into the central nervous system.
- 96413Chemo IV infusionInitial drug, first hour
- Use 96446 when medication is delivered into the peritoneal cavity through an indwelling device; 96413 is for intravenous chemotherapy infusion.
96446 billing questions
When should 96446 be selected instead of 96440?
Use 96446 for chemotherapy delivered into the peritoneal cavity through an indwelling port or catheter. Code 96440 is for delivery into the pleural cavity.
Does 96446 include placement of the port or catheter?
No. The service is administration through an indwelling device; placement is not described by this code.
Is the chemotherapy drug included in 96446?
The code represents the administration service, not the drug product. Report the applicable drug code separately when the product is separately furnished and reportable.
What documentation supports reporting 96446?
Document the antineoplastic medication, intraperitoneal route, indwelling port or catheter used, and the administration performed.
What supervision condition applies to Medicare billing?
CMS identifies this as an incident-to service: it is billed only when performed under physician supervision.
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
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