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

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 Houston, TX, Medicare pays $162.42 for 96450 in the office and $68.56 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$162.42Office (non-facility)
$68.56Hospital or facility
+0.9%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 Houston, TX
  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 Houston, TX 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. Houston, TX pays $162.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

96450 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$162.42
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$166.66+$4.24
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$151.19−$11.23
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$159.43−$2.99
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$160.37−$2.05
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$159.38−$3.04
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$159.86−$2.56

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

Every other payment area

96450 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$155.17$65.47
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$180.77$68.95
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$183.01$71.66
Miami, FLFlorida$172.46$74.06
Chicago, ILIllinois$167.93$72.93
Manhattan, NYNew York$184.05$74.21
AlaskaAlaska$191.28$90.61
AlabamaAlabama$145.81$63.10

96450 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.

$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 Houston, TX 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

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 96450 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.53× 1.0081.5422
Practice expense3.15× 0.9933.1279
Malpractice0.14× 1.3760.1926
Total RVUs4.8628
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$162.42

Office: (1.53 × 1.008 + 3.15 × 0.993 + 0.14 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $162.42

Facility: (1.53 × 1.008 + 0.32 × 0.993 + 0.14 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $68.56

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.

Codes related to 96450

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

Codes related to 96450
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Used instead
96401Chemotherapy injection, subcutaneous or intramuscular, nonhormonalFor chemotherapy delivered subcutaneously or intramuscularly rather than into the CNS.$71.93
96440Pleural chemotherapy, with thoracentesisFor chemotherapy delivered into the pleural cavity rather than the central nervous system.$765.03
96446Chemotherapy administration, peritoneal cavity via catheterFor chemotherapy delivered into the peritoneal cavity rather than the central nervous system.$157.61

How 96450 has changed in Houston, TX

96450 · Office / nonfacility

$162.42

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.47 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $156.95 to $162.42 (3.5%).

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

    $156.95changed to$162.42

    • 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
    • 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

    $164.38changed to$156.95

    • 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

    $161.70changed to$164.38

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $170.75changed to$161.70

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.26 changed to 3.18
    • 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

    $178.38changed to$170.75

    • 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
    • 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

    $187.36changed to$178.38

    • 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

    $186.89changed to$187.36

    • 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
    • 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

    $187.21changed to$186.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.43
    • 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. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $189.19changed to$187.21

    • 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

    $186.10changed to$189.19

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.54
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $185.63changed to$186.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.49 changed to 3.48
    • 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.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $185.94changed to$185.63

    • 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

    $185.01changed to$185.94

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $183.00changed to$185.01

    • 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
    • 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.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $181.09changed to$183.00

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.67 changed to 3.44
    • 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.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $181.09

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$162.42$68.56RVU26D
2026-07-01$162.42$68.56RVU26C
2026-04-01$162.42$68.56RVU26B
2026-01-01$162.42$68.56RVU26A
2025-10-01$156.95$76.81RVU25D
2025-07-01$156.95$76.81RVU25C
2025-04-01$156.95$76.81RVU25B
2025-01-01$156.95$76.81RVU25A
2024-10-01$164.38$77.91RVU24D
2024-07-01$164.38$77.91RVU24C
2024-04-01$164.38$77.91RVU24B
2024-03-09$164.38$77.91RVU24AR
2024-01-01$161.70$76.64RVU24A
2023-10-01$170.75$79.17RVU23D
2023-07-01$170.75$79.17RVU23C
2023-04-01$170.75$79.17RVU23B
2023-01-01$170.75$79.17RVU23A
2022-10-01$178.38$79.39RVU22D
2022-07-01$178.38$79.39RVU22C
2022-04-01$178.38$79.39RVU22B
2022-01-01$178.38$79.39RVU22A
2021-10-01$187.36$80.72RVU21D
2021-07-01$187.36$80.72RVU21C
2021-04-01$187.36$80.72RVU21B
2021-01-01$187.36$80.72RVU21A
2020-10-01$186.89$83.08RVU20D
2020-07-01$186.89$83.08RVU20C
2020-04-01$186.89$83.08RVU20B
2020-01-01$186.89$83.08RVU20A
2019-10-01$187.21$82.90RVU19D
2019-07-01$187.21$82.90RVU19C
2019-04-01$187.21$82.90RVU19B
2019-01-01$187.21$82.90RVU19A
2018-10-01$189.19$83.54RVU18D
2018-07-01$189.19$83.54RVU18C
2018-04-01$189.19$83.54RVU18B
2018-01-01$189.19$83.54RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$186.10$83.62RVU17D
2017-07-01$186.10$83.62RVU17C
2017-04-01$186.10$83.62RVU17B
2017-01-01$186.10$83.62RVU17A
2016-10-01$185.63$83.34RVU16D
2016-07-01$185.63$83.34RVU16C
2016-04-01$185.63$83.34RVU16B
2016-01-01$185.63$83.34RVU16A
2015-10-01$185.94$83.28RVU15D
2015-07-01$185.94$83.28RVU15C
2015-04-01$185.01$82.86RVU15B
2015-01-01$185.01$82.86RVU15A
2014-10-01$183.00$82.65RVU14D
2014-07-01$183.00$82.65RVU14C
2014-04-01$183.00$82.65RVU14B
2014-01-01$183.00$82.65RVU14A
2013-10-01$181.09$78.48RVU13D
2013-07-01$181.09$78.48RVU13C
2013-04-01$181.09$78.48RVU13B
2013-01-01$181.09$78.48RVU13AR

Price 96450 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

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 Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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