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CPT code 97033: Iontophoresis, each 15 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

Reports therapist-administered iontophoresis that uses electrical current to deliver medication through the skin during a timed rehabilitation treatment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality29.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Iowa, Medicare pays $17.99 for 97033 in the office.

$17.99Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.5%vs the national office rate ($19.04)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97033 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 97033 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Iowa
  2. What 97033 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 97033 covers

Iontophoresis uses an electrical current to move a prescribed medication through the skin to a localized treatment area, often over an extremity with soft-tissue inflammation. Physical therapists and occupational therapists commonly provide it in outpatient rehabilitation settings; dexamethasone is one medication used for this purpose. The service is selected for medication delivery through the skin, not simply because electrical equipment is used during treatment.

Report one unit for each 15 minutes of treatment, supported by documentation of the treatment area, medication, skilled application, and time. Do not count the same treatment minutes toward another timed service. CMS treats this as a therapy service, so a professional-component modifier does not apply. When multiple therapy units are furnished on the same day, CMS reduces practice expense for the second and subsequent units.

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 Iowa compares for 97033

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97033 runs from $17.46 in Arkansas to $24.27 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $17.99. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

97033 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$17.99
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$21.12+$3.13
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$21.33+$3.34
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$19.96+$1.97
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$19.58+$1.59
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$21.41+$3.42
  7. Alaska · Alaska$23.88+$5.89

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

Every other payment area

97033 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$17.64—
ArkansasArkansas$17.46—
ArizonaArizona$18.68—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$20.03—
Chico, CACalifornia$19.99—
El Centro, CACalifornia$19.99—
Fresno, CACalifornia$19.99—
Hanford, CACalifornia$19.99—

97033 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.

$17.46

$23.88

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

View every state and territory as a table
97033 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$23.881
AL$17.641
AR$17.461
AZ$18.681
CA$19.99–$24.2729
CO$19.711
CT$20.051
DC$21.331
DE$18.931
FL$18.77–$19.963
GA$18.02–$19.292
GU$20.271
HI$20.271
IA$17.991
ID$18.061
IL$18.35–$19.634
IN$18.141
KS$17.911
KY$17.901
LA$17.87–$18.492
MA$19.64–$21.302
MD$19.22–$21.333
ME$18.11–$18.832
MI$18.21–$18.922
MN$19.091
MO$17.65–$18.563
MS$17.561
MT$19.041
NC$18.251
ND$18.841
NE$18.061
NH$19.411
NJ$20.34–$21.212
NM$18.271
NV$18.991
NY$18.44–$21.775
OH$18.171
OK$17.891
OR$18.90–$20.202
PA$18.20–$19.672
PR$19.141
RI$19.501
SC$18.231
SD$18.821
TN$17.971
TX$18.11–$19.608
UT$18.401
VA$18.77–$21.332
VI$19.141
VT$18.771
WA$19.60–$21.692
WI$18.391
WV$17.871
WY$18.951

See 97033 in every payment locality

How the 97033 rate is calculated

Each of 97033’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 · 97033

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.26

0.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.30

0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.5700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$19.04

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

The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,853

Code
97033
Physician work
0.26
Practice expense
0.30
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 97033 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.26× 1.0000.2600
Practice expense0.30× 0.9150.2745
Malpractice0.01× 0.3970.0040
Total RVUs0.5385
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$17.99

Office: (0.26 × 1 + 0.3 × 0.915 + 0.01 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $17.99

Open 97033 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 97033

The CMS indicators that decide how 97033 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 97033

Iontophoresis, each 15 minutes

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures5Therapy reduction: practice expense of the second and later units is reduced.
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/technical7Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier CQ · payment effect

With and without the modifier

97033 without CQ · national office

$19.04

Iontophoresis, each 15 minutes

97033-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged

$19.04

Medicare cuts its own payment by 15% after the patient’s 20% coinsurance; the allowed amount stays the same. On $100 allowed: $20 coinsurance, then Medicare pays $68 instead of $80.

Codes related to 97033

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

Codes related to 97033
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Iowa
Often billed with
97110Therapeutic exercise, one-on-one, each 15 minutesMay be reported for separately timed therapeutic exercise in the same rehabilitation encounter.$27.69
97140Manual therapy, one or more regions, each 15 minutesMay accompany separately timed manual therapy during the same rehabilitation encounter.$26.41
97530Therapeutic activities, one-on-one, each 15 minutesMay accompany separately timed therapeutic activities in the same rehabilitation encounter.$33.17

How 97033 has changed in Iowa

97033 · Office / nonfacility

$17.99

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.28 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $17.71 to $17.99 (1.6%).

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

    $17.71changed to$17.99

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $18.23changed to$17.71

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $17.93changed to$18.23

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $18.83changed to$17.93

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $18.87changed to$18.83

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $19.35changed to$18.87

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $20.01changed to$19.35

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $19.98changed to$20.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $19.96changed to$19.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $20.83changed to$19.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $24.56changed to$20.83

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $30.45changed to$24.56

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.47

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $30.30changed to$30.45

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $29.93changed to$30.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $30.13changed to$29.93

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.64
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $30.13

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$17.99Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$17.99Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$17.99Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$17.99Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$17.71Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$17.71Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$17.71Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$17.71Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$18.23Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$18.23Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$18.23Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$18.23Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$17.93Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$18.83Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$18.83Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$18.83Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$18.83Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$18.87Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$18.87Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$18.87Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$18.87Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$19.35Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$19.35Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$19.35Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$19.35Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$20.01Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$20.01Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$20.01Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$20.01Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$19.96Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$19.96Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$19.96Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$19.96Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$24.56Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$24.56Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$24.56Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$24.56Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$30.45Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$30.45Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$30.30Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$30.30Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$29.93Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$29.93Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$29.93Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$29.93Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$30.13Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$30.13Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$30.13Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$30.13Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 97033 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

97033 billing questions

How is this different from electrical stimulation?

Iontophoresis delivers medication through the skin using current. Report 97032 when the service is attended electrical stimulation rather than transdermal medication delivery.

How many units should be reported?

Each unit represents 15 minutes of iontophoresis treatment. Document the treatment time and do not count minutes already assigned to another timed service.

What documentation supports the service?

Record the medication, treatment area, skilled application, and time spent providing iontophoresis. The record should support why medication delivery by this method was part of the rehabilitation treatment.

Should a professional-component modifier be appended?

No. CMS identifies this as a therapy service for which a professional-component modifier does not apply.

How does the therapy multiple procedure reduction affect payment?

CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day. The reduction applies to practice expense, not as a reduction to the documented treatment time.

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 97033PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,853 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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