CPT code 96450: Chemotherapy administration, into central nervous system2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Kentucky

Report this service when chemotherapy is delivered into the central nervous system, such as intrathecally, including access by spinal puncture.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality8.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Kentucky, Medicare pays $148.92 for 96450 in the office and $64.88 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$148.92Office (non-facility)
$64.88Hospital or facility
−7.5%vs the national office rate ($160.99)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 96450 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 96450 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Kentucky
  2. What 96450 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 96450 covers

This service covers delivery of chemotherapy into the central nervous system, most commonly by an intrathecal route through a lumbar puncture. It may be performed in an oncology or hematology clinic, hospital outpatient department, or other setting where CNS-directed treatment is administered. Patients may receive it for conditions such as CNS leukemia or leptomeningeal disease. Administration through an intraventricular access device is also a CNS route.

Select this code based on the route of drug delivery, not the drug name or the diagnosis alone. Documentation should identify the medication, CNS route, access method, and completed administration. The spinal puncture used to access the treatment site is included in this service. The chemotherapy drug itself is separate from the administration service when separately reportable. 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 medical-necessity documentation; 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 Kentucky compares for 96450

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 96450 runs from $143.89 in Arkansas to $210.95 in San Benito County, CA. Kentucky pays $148.92. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

96450 in Kentucky vs other payment areas
  1. Kentucky · this page$148.92
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$180.77+$31.85
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$183.01+$34.09
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$172.46+$23.54
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$167.93+$19.01
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$184.05+$35.13
  7. Alaska · Alaska$191.28+$42.36

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

Every other payment area

96450 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$145.81$63.10
ArkansasArkansas$143.89$62.69
ArizonaArizona$157.06$65.46
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$170.24$66.64
Chico, CACalifornia$169.79$66.19
El Centro, CACalifornia$169.82$66.22
Fresno, CACalifornia$169.79$66.19
Hanford, CACalifornia$169.79$66.19

96450 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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.

$143.89

$191.28

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

View every state and territory as a table
96450 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$191.281
AL$145.811
AR$143.891
AZ$157.061
CA$169.79–$210.9529
CO$167.321
CT$171.101
DC$183.011
DE$159.511
FL$158.72–$172.463
GA$150.53–$163.772
GU$173.441
HI$173.441
IA$149.231
ID$150.111
IL$154.47–$167.934
IN$150.911
KS$148.571
KY$148.921
LA$148.70–$155.422
MA$166.44–$182.982
MD$162.38–$183.013
ME$150.81–$158.322
MI$152.44–$160.522
MN$160.751
MO$146.35–$155.953
MS$145.151
MT$160.981
NC$152.251
ND$158.211
NE$149.981
NH$164.721
NJ$173.17–$181.362
NM$153.201
NV$160.321
NY$154.34–$188.165
OH$151.881
OK$148.691
OR$159.18–$172.292
PA$152.11–$167.132
PR$162.081
RI$164.931
SC$152.291
SD$157.891
TN$149.251
TX$151.19–$166.668
UT$154.201
VA$157.83–$183.012
VI$162.081
VT$157.631
WA$166.12–$186.582
WI$153.341
WV$149.221
WY$159.781

See 96450 in every payment locality

How the 96450 rate is calculated

Each of 96450’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 · 96450

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.53

1.53 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.15

3.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.8200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$160.99

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

The exact Kentucky inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,811

Code
96450
Physician work
1.53
Practice expense
3.15
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

55

Locality
Kentucky
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.889
Malpractice
0.915
Office calculation for 96450 in Kentucky
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.53× 1.0001.5300
Practice expense3.15× 0.8892.8003
Malpractice0.14× 0.9150.1281
Total RVUs4.4585
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Kentucky$148.92

Office: (1.53 × 1 + 3.15 × 0.889 + 0.14 × 0.915) × $33.4009 = $148.92

Facility: (1.53 × 1 + 0.32 × 0.889 + 0.14 × 0.915) × $33.4009 = $64.88

Open 96450 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 96450

The CMS indicators that decide how 96450 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 96450

Chemotherapy administration, into central nervous system

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.

How 96450 has changed in Kentucky

96450 · Office / nonfacility

$148.92

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.63 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $141.29 to $148.92 (5.4%).

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

    $141.29changed to$148.92

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 3.08 changed to 3.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.877 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $148.02changed to$141.29

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.18 changed to 3.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $145.60changed to$148.02

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $152.42changed to$145.60

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.26 changed to 3.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.873 changed to 0.877
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.913
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $157.73changed to$152.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.37 changed to 3.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.873
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.870

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $165.39changed to$157.73

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.57 changed to 3.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $166.97changed to$165.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.43 changed to 3.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.874 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.823 changed to 0.827

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $169.05changed to$166.97

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.880 changed to 0.874
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.823

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $170.76changed to$169.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.48

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $167.79changed to$170.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.54
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.876 changed to 0.880
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.807 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $167.16changed to$167.79

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.49 changed to 3.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.876
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.795 changed to 0.807

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $167.45changed to$167.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.49

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $166.62changed to$167.45

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $165.32changed to$166.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.44 changed to 3.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.774 changed to 0.795

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $163.63changed to$165.32

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.67 changed to 3.44
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.871 changed to 0.872
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.752 changed to 0.774

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $163.63

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$148.92$64.88RVU26D
2026-07-01$148.92$64.88RVU26C
2026-04-01$148.92$64.88RVU26B
2026-01-01$148.92$64.88RVU26A
2025-10-01$141.29$71.22RVU25D
2025-07-01$141.29$71.22RVU25C
2025-04-01$141.29$71.22RVU25B
2025-01-01$141.29$71.22RVU25A
2024-10-01$148.02$72.41RVU24D
2024-07-01$148.02$72.41RVU24C
2024-04-01$148.02$72.41RVU24B
2024-03-09$148.02$72.41RVU24AR
2024-01-01$145.60$71.23RVU24A
2023-10-01$152.42$73.72RVU23D
2023-07-01$152.42$73.72RVU23C
2023-04-01$152.42$73.72RVU23B
2023-01-01$152.42$73.72RVU23A
2022-10-01$157.73$74.12RVU22D
2022-07-01$157.73$74.12RVU22C
2022-04-01$157.73$74.12RVU22B
2022-01-01$157.73$74.12RVU22A
2021-10-01$165.39$75.33RVU21D
2021-07-01$165.39$75.33RVU21C
2021-04-01$165.39$75.33RVU21B
2021-01-01$165.39$75.33RVU21A
2020-10-01$166.97$78.02RVU20D
2020-07-01$166.97$78.02RVU20C
2020-04-01$166.97$78.02RVU20B
2020-01-01$166.97$78.02RVU20A
2019-10-01$169.05$78.34RVU19D
2019-07-01$169.05$78.34RVU19C
2019-04-01$169.05$78.34RVU19B
2019-01-01$169.05$78.34RVU19A
2018-10-01$170.76$78.89RVU18D
2018-07-01$170.76$78.89RVU18C
2018-04-01$170.76$78.89RVU18B
2018-01-01$170.76$78.89RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$167.79$78.82RVU17D
2017-07-01$167.79$78.82RVU17C
2017-04-01$167.79$78.82RVU17B
2017-01-01$167.79$78.82RVU17A
2016-10-01$167.16$78.49RVU16D
2016-07-01$167.16$78.49RVU16C
2016-04-01$167.16$78.49RVU16B
2016-01-01$167.16$78.49RVU16A
2015-10-01$167.45$78.46RVU15D
2015-07-01$167.45$78.46RVU15C
2015-04-01$166.62$78.07RVU15B
2015-01-01$166.62$78.07RVU15A
2014-10-01$165.32$78.16RVU14D
2014-07-01$165.32$78.16RVU14C
2014-04-01$165.32$78.16RVU14B
2014-01-01$165.32$78.16RVU14A
2013-10-01$163.63$74.43RVU13D
2013-07-01$163.63$74.43RVU13C
2013-04-01$163.63$74.43RVU13B
2013-01-01$163.63$74.43RVU13AR

Price 96450 for an earlier date of service

Where the Kentucky rate applies

Kentucky is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 553 cities and communities in Kentucky. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adairville
  • Ages
  • Albany
  • Alexandria
  • Allen
  • Allensville
  • Anchorage
  • Annville

Browse all communities in Kentucky

96450 billing questions

When should 96450 be selected instead of another chemotherapy administration code?

Use it when chemotherapy is delivered into the central nervous system, such as intrathecally or through an intraventricular access device. Select other administration codes for different routes, such as subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous delivery.

Is the spinal puncture separately reported with 96450?

The puncture used to gain access for the CNS chemotherapy administration is included in this service.

Does 96450 include the chemotherapy drug?

The code represents the administration service, not the drug product. Report the drug separately when it is separately billable and supported by the claim documentation.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral CNS administration?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

What documentation supports 96450?

Record the medication, the CNS route, the access method, and that administration was completed. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

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 96450PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,811 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for KentuckyGPCI2026.csv, line 55 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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