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HCPCS code G0268: Earwax removal, same-day audiologic testing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana

G0268 reports a physician’s removal of impacted earwax from one or both ears on the same date as audiologic function testing.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality155.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Montana, Medicare pays $50.43 for G0268 in the office and $27.38 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$50.43Office (non-facility)
$27.38Hospital or facility
−0.0%vs the national office rate ($50.44)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · G0268 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 G0268 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Montana
  2. What G0268 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 G0268 covers

G0268 covers a physician’s removal of impacted cerumen when audiologic function testing is also performed that day. The physician may use instruments such as a curette, forceps, or suction under direct visualization to clear obstructing wax. Otolaryngologists and other physicians may perform the service in an office or another clinical setting; the removal can allow testing to proceed or improve the reliability of the results.

Report G0268 for the removal, not for the audiologic test itself. The record should identify the impacted cerumen, the ear or ears treated, the removal method, and the same-day audiologic testing. The code is priced as bilateral, so report it once for one or both ears; modifier 50 does not increase payment. It has a 0-day global period, with same-day preoperative and postoperative care included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and 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 Montana compares for G0268

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for G0268 runs from $45.18 in Arkansas to $63.76 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $50.43. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

G0268 in Montana vs other payment areas
  1. Montana · this page$50.43
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$55.48+$5.05
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$56.80+$6.37
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$55.67+$5.24
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$54.17+$3.74
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$57.81+$7.38
  7. Alaska · Alaska$60.91+$10.48

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

Every other payment area

G0268 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$45.77$25.60
ArkansasArkansas$45.18$25.39
ArizonaArizona$49.18$26.85
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$52.46$27.20
Chico, CACalifornia$52.22$26.96
El Centro, CACalifornia$52.24$26.98
Fresno, CACalifornia$52.22$26.96
Hanford, CACalifornia$52.22$26.96

G0268 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.

$45.18

$60.91

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

View every state and territory as a table
G0268 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$60.911
AL$45.771
AR$45.181
AZ$49.181
CA$52.22–$63.7629
CO$51.881
CT$53.551
DC$56.801
DE$49.931
FL$50.54–$55.673
GA$47.92–$51.482
GU$53.151
HI$53.151
IA$46.441
ID$46.781
IL$49.50–$54.174
IN$47.011
KS$46.421
KY$47.091
LA$47.10–$49.142
MA$51.70–$56.392
MD$50.75–$56.803
ME$47.18–$49.202
MI$48.34–$51.292
MN$49.371
MO$46.49–$49.093
MS$45.841
MT$50.431
NC$47.591
ND$48.851
NE$46.611
NH$51.251
NJ$54.06–$56.352
NM$48.641
NV$50.021
NY$48.24–$59.295
OH$48.021
OK$46.841
OR$49.53–$53.182
PA$47.99–$52.462
PR$50.701
RI$51.451
SC$47.901
SD$48.661
TN$46.651
TX$47.72–$51.808
UT$48.481
VA$49.17–$56.802
VI$50.701
VT$48.831
WA$51.54–$57.302
WI$47.411
WV$47.911
WY$49.741

See G0268 in every payment locality

How the G0268 rate is calculated

Each of G0268’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 · G0268

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.59

0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.84

0.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.08

0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.5100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$50.44

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

The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

15,160

Code
G0268
Physician work
0.59
Practice expense
0.84
Malpractice
0.08

GPCI2026.csv

71

Locality
Montana
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.998
Office calculation for G0268 in Montana
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.59× 1.0000.5900
Practice expense0.84× 1.0000.8400
Malpractice0.08× 0.9980.0798
Total RVUs1.5098
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Montana$50.43

Office: (0.59 × 1 + 0.84 × 1 + 0.08 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $50.43

Facility: (0.59 × 1 + 0.15 × 1 + 0.08 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $27.38

Open G0268 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for G0268

The CMS indicators that decide how G0268 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · G0268

Earwax removal, same-day audiologic testing

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)2Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

G0268 without 51 · national office

$50.44

Earwax removal, same-day audiologic testing

G0268-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$25.22

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to G0268

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

Codes related to G0268
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Montana
Used instead
69210Impacted ear wax removal, instrumentation, unilateralImpacted cerumen removal requiring instrumentation when the same-day audiologic-testing circumstance for G0268 is absent.$47.76
69209Earwax removal, irrigation or lavageImpacted cerumen removal by irrigation or lavage, rather than physician instrument removal reported with G0268.$17.03
Often billed with
92557Comprehensive hearing test, air, bone, and speech testingComprehensive audiometry may be performed and reported on the same date as the removal.$35.74

How G0268 has changed in Montana

G0268 · Office / nonfacility

$50.43

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.03 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $50.40 to $50.43 (0.1%).

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

    $50.40changed to$50.43

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.61 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense RVU 0.87 changed to 0.84
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $52.20changed to$50.40

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $51.34changed to$52.20

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $53.47changed to$51.34

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $53.22changed to$53.47

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.84 changed to 0.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $51.92changed to$53.22

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.84

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $52.60changed to$51.92

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.79
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $52.50changed to$52.60

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.73
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $55.32changed to$52.50

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.78 changed to 0.70

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $55.22changed to$55.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.80 changed to 0.78
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $55.15changed to$55.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.80
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $54.99changed to$55.15

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.81 changed to 0.82

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $54.72changed to$54.99

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $52.84changed to$54.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.83 changed to 0.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.09
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $52.84changed to$52.84

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.83
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $52.84

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$50.43$27.38RVU26D
2026-07-01$50.43$27.38RVU26C
2026-04-01$50.43$27.38RVU26B
2026-01-01$50.43$27.38RVU26A
2025-10-01$50.40$31.64RVU25D
2025-07-01$50.40$31.64RVU25C
2025-04-01$50.40$31.64RVU25B
2025-01-01$50.40$31.64RVU25A
2024-10-01$52.20$32.89RVU24D
2024-07-01$52.20$32.89RVU24C
2024-04-01$52.20$32.89RVU24B
2024-03-09$52.20$32.89RVU24AR
2024-01-01$51.34$32.35RVU24A
2023-10-01$53.47$33.81RVU23D
2023-07-01$53.47$33.81RVU23C
2023-04-01$53.47$33.81RVU23B
2023-01-01$53.47$33.81RVU23A
2022-10-01$53.22$33.84RVU22D
2022-07-01$53.22$33.84RVU22C
2022-04-01$53.22$33.84RVU22B
2022-01-01$53.22$33.84RVU22A
2021-10-01$51.92$33.77RVU21D
2021-07-01$51.92$33.77RVU21C
2021-04-01$51.92$33.77RVU21B
2021-01-01$51.92$33.77RVU21A
2020-10-01$52.60$35.63RVU20D
2020-07-01$52.60$35.63RVU20C
2020-04-01$52.60$35.63RVU20B
2020-01-01$52.60$35.63RVU20A
2019-10-01$52.50$36.64RVU19D
2019-07-01$52.50$36.64RVU19C
2019-04-01$52.50$36.64RVU19B
2019-01-01$52.50$36.64RVU19A
2018-10-01$55.32$36.60RVU18D
2018-07-01$55.32$36.60RVU18C
2018-04-01$55.32$36.60RVU18B
2018-01-01$55.32$36.60RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$55.22$36.20RVU17D
2017-07-01$55.22$36.20RVU17C
2017-04-01$55.22$36.20RVU17B
2017-01-01$55.22$36.20RVU17A
2016-10-01$55.15$35.46RVU16D
2016-07-01$55.15$35.46RVU16C
2016-04-01$55.15$35.46RVU16B
2016-01-01$55.15$35.46RVU16A
2015-10-01$54.99$35.59RVU15D
2015-07-01$54.99$35.59RVU15C
2015-04-01$54.72$35.41RVU15B
2015-01-01$54.72$35.41RVU15A
2014-10-01$52.84$33.13RVU14D
2014-07-01$52.84$33.13RVU14C
2014-04-01$52.84$33.13RVU14B
2014-01-01$52.84$33.13RVU14A
2013-10-01$52.84$32.09RVU13D
2013-07-01$52.84$32.09RVU13C
2013-04-01$52.84$32.09RVU13B
2013-01-01$52.84$32.09RVU13AR

Price G0268 for an earlier date of service

Where the Montana rate applies

Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Absarokee
  • Acton
  • Alberton
  • Alder
  • Alzada
  • Amsterdam
  • Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
  • Antelope

Browse all communities in Montana

G0268 billing questions

When should G0268 be used instead of 69210?

G0268 is for physician removal of impacted cerumen on the same date as audiologic function testing. For impacted cerumen removal without same-day audiologic testing, 69210 may be the relevant removal code.

Is G0268 reported once for both ears?

Yes. The code is priced as bilateral and covers removal from one or both ears. Report it once; modifier 50 does not increase payment.

Can the audiologic test be billed separately?

G0268 reports the physician’s cerumen removal, not the audiologic test. Report the test separately when it is performed and documented, such as comprehensive audiometry reported with 92557.

What documentation supports G0268?

Document impacted cerumen, the ear or ears treated, the removal method, and that audiologic function testing occurred on the same date.

Does G0268 have a global period?

It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

How does Medicare handle other procedures performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. An assistant at surgery is not paid, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 G0268PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 15,160 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MontanaGPCI2026.csv, line 71 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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