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Billing code 38720: Neck node removalMedicare rate & RVUs

Reports comprehensive removal of cervical lymph nodes for treatment or staging when the surgeon performs a complete neck dissection rather than a limited nodal procedure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026109 payment localities329 Medicare services in 2024

Medicare pays $1,195.08 for 38720 nationally in a facility.

Medicare rate · 38720

Neck node removal

Swap in your local Medicare rate.

Work RVUs
21.4
Total RVUs
35.78
Global days
090

National rate · 2026

$1,195.08

Facility setting, before claim adjustments.

See every locality for 38720 → · Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

On this page 10 sections
  1. Medicare rate
  2. What 38720 covers
  3. By payment locality
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Similar codes
  8. Related codes
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 38720 covers

This code represents a comprehensive operation to remove cervical lymph-node tissue from the neck, typically for treatment or staging of head and neck cancer. An otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon, or surgical oncologist may perform it in an operating room. The operative report should establish the cervical site and describe the extent of the nodal dissection; a focused removal of a limited nodal group is not the same service.

Report the code for the complete cervical dissection documented, distinguishing it from a limited suprahyoid procedure and from the modified radical neck dissection represented by 38724. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. For bilateral performance, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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.

Where 38720 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

38720 office and facility rates by payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaUnavailable$1,095.72
Alaska*Unavailable$1,518.28
ArizonaUnavailable$1,165.81
ArkansasUnavailable$1,083.58
AtlantaUnavailable$1,228.46
AustinUnavailable$1,202.48
BakersfieldUnavailable$1,192.80
Baltimore/Surr. CntysUnavailable$1,262.45
BeaumontUnavailable$1,154.27
BrazoriaUnavailable$1,169.63

38720 rates by state

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

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

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View every state and territory as a table
38720 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AKNo published base rate1
ALNo published base rate1
ARNo published base rate1
AZNo published base rate1
CANo published base rate29
CONo published base rate1
CTNo published base rate1
DCNo published base rate1
DENo published base rate1
FLNo published base rate3
GANo published base rate2
GUNo published base rate1
HINo published base rate1
IANo published base rate1
IDNo published base rate1
ILNo published base rate4
INNo published base rate1
KSNo published base rate1
KYNo published base rate1
LANo published base rate2
MANo published base rate2
MDNo published base rate3
MENo published base rate2
MINo published base rate2
MNNo published base rate1
MONo published base rate3
MSNo published base rate1
MTNo published base rate1
NCNo published base rate1
NDNo published base rate1
NENo published base rate1
NHNo published base rate1
NJNo published base rate2
NMNo published base rate1
NVNo published base rate1
NYNo published base rate5
OHNo published base rate1
OKNo published base rate1
ORNo published base rate2
PANo published base rate2
PRNo published base rate1
RINo published base rate1
SCNo published base rate1
SDNo published base rate1
TNNo published base rate1
TXNo published base rate8
UTNo published base rate1
VANo published base rate2
VINo published base rate1
VTNo published base rate1
WANo published base rate2
WINo published base rate1
WVNo published base rate1
WYNo published base rate1

How the 38720 rate is calculated

Each of 38720’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 · 38720

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Swap in your local Medicare rate.

Work 21.40Practice expense 10.57Malpractice 3.81

35.7800 adjusted RVUs×$33.4009 conversion factor=$1,195.08

All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

Payment rules and modifiers for 38720

38720 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 38720

Neck node removal

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)2Paid.
Co-surgeons (62)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.11/0.73/0.16Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 38720

Neck node removal

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24 Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79 Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58 Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78 Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

38720 without 50 · national facility

$1,195.08

Neck node removal

38720-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,792.62

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

38720 compared with similar codes

Compare codes

38720 vs 38700 vs 38724 vs 38745: national Medicare rates

Swap in your local Medicare rate.

  • 38720
    Neck node removal · 21.4 wRVU
    —
  • 38700
    Neck lymphadenectomy · 12.49 wRVU
    —
  • 38724
    Neck dissection · 23.35 wRVU
    —
  • 38745
    Axillary dissection · 13.52 wRVU
    —

How to choose

38700Neck lymphadenectomy
Use 38700 for a limited suprahyoid nodal dissection. Code 38720 describes a comprehensive cervical dissection.
38724Neck dissection
Code 38724 is for a modified radical neck dissection. Match the code to the procedure and extent documented in the operative report.
38745Axillary dissection
Code 38745 describes axillary, not cervical, lymph-node dissection. The operative site determines which code applies.

Codes related to 38720

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

Codes related to 38720
CodeHow it relatesNational office range
Used instead
38700Neck lymphadenectomyLimited suprahyoid nodal dissection rather than comprehensive cervical dissection.No office rate
38724Neck dissectionA modified radical neck dissection, distinguished by the documented operative approach and extent.No office rate
Same family
38740Axillary dissectionLymph-node dissection in the axilla rather than the cervical region.No office rate
38745Axillary dissectionMore extensive axillary nodal dissection; the operative site is the axilla.No office rate
38770Pelvic lymphadenectomyPelvic lymph-node dissection, a different anatomic site.No office rate

38720 billing questions

How does 38720 differ from 38700?

38720 represents a comprehensive cervical nodal dissection. Code 38700 is for a more limited dissection focused on the suprahyoid nodes.

How does 38720 differ from 38724?

Code 38724 identifies a modified radical neck dissection. Use the code that matches the documented operative procedure and extent, rather than selecting by diagnosis alone.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral neck dissection?

When the cervical procedure is performed bilaterally, CMS lists modifier 50 payment at 150%. The record should support the procedure on both sides.

What postoperative care is included in the global period?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; CMS does not permit team surgery.

What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?

CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and the other procedure or procedures at 50% under the standard multiple procedure reduction.

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 38720PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,759 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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