Billing code 49418: Peritoneal catheterMedicare rate & RVUs
Report this service for initial percutaneous placement of a tunneled catheter into the peritoneal cavity when ongoing access, such as ascites drainage, is needed.
Medicare pays $939.57 for 49418 nationally in the office and $174.69 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $820.21–$1,298.74.
Medicare rate · 49418
Peritoneal catheter
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 3.86
- Total RVUs
- 28.13
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$939.57
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 49418 → · 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
What 49418 covers
This code covers percutaneous placement of a tunneled catheter through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity. It provides ongoing peritoneal access, commonly for drainage of recurrent ascites, including malignant ascites. Interventional radiologists often perform the procedure; surgeons may also place the catheter. The catheter is tunneled, but this service does not include placement of a subcutaneous port.
Select the code when the record supports a new catheter placed percutaneously and tunneled into the peritoneal cavity. Document the indication, access route, tunneling, and final catheter position; distinguish a catheter with a port or an exchange of an existing catheter. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. 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.
Where 49418 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$820.21 to $1298.74
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $833.70 | $164.43 |
| Alaska* | $1,049.17 | $234.57 |
| Arizona | $912.78 | $171.61 |
| Arkansas | $820.21 | $163.18 |
| Atlanta | $955.64 | $178.52 |
| Austin | $984.31 | $175.07 |
| Bakersfield | $1,012.68 | $174.37 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $1,003.22 | $182.50 |
| Beaumont | $866.89 | $170.85 |
| Brazoria | $930.20 | $172.21 |
| Chicago | $963.48 | $194.78 |
| Chico | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Colorado | $988.84 | $175.00 |
| Connecticut | $1,006.52 | $182.74 |
| Dallas | $935.46 | $173.64 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $1,089.87 | $188.84 |
| Delaware | $929.18 | $173.47 |
| Detroit | $921.79 | $183.68 |
| East St. Louis | $890.79 | $187.10 |
| El Centro | $1,011.42 | $173.11 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $961.79 | $186.97 |
| Fort Worth | $927.69 | $173.52 |
| Fresno | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Galveston | $932.50 | $172.97 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $1,042.42 | $172.76 |
| Houston | $940.55 | $181.03 |
| Idaho | $868.15 | $164.46 |
| Indiana | $873.91 | $164.87 |
| Iowa | $863.05 | $163.18 |
| Kansas | $855.87 | $164.42 |
| Kentucky | $849.97 | $169.99 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $1,085.57 | $180.72 |
| Madera | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Manhattan | $1,085.37 | $196.58 |
| Merced | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $1,097.65 | $184.38 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $890.68 | $172.45 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $977.36 | $181.12 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $901.39 | $173.23 |
| Miami | $994.67 | $198.43 |
| Minnesota | $952.30 | $165.24 |
| Mississippi | $825.10 | $166.53 |
| Modesto | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Montana** | $939.54 | $174.66 |
| Napa | $1,193.57 | $185.46 |
| Nebraska | $869.14 | $163.15 |
| Nevada** | $937.91 | $172.26 |
| New Hampshire | $970.36 | $174.12 |
| New Mexico | $876.46 | $175.06 |
| New Orleans | $894.61 | $174.85 |
| North Carolina | $880.93 | $167.30 |
| North Dakota** | $930.84 | $165.96 |
| Northern Nj | $1,076.04 | $188.78 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $1,110.85 | $201.40 |
| Ohio | $870.44 | $172.10 |
| Oklahoma | $851.12 | $168.09 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $1,082.50 | $178.41 |
| Portland | $1,026.22 | $176.44 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $1,024.07 | $186.53 |
| Puerto Rico | $948.10 | $174.81 |
| Queens | $1,099.18 | $195.09 |
| Redding | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Rest Of California | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Rest Of Florida | $911.94 | $180.71 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $856.43 | $174.15 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $878.59 | $180.26 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $847.42 | $170.50 |
| Rest Of Maine | $870.34 | $166.65 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $949.20 | $175.14 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $980.83 | $175.41 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $872.22 | $173.88 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $829.35 | $170.02 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $1,019.38 | $184.13 |
| Rest Of New York | $895.41 | $168.77 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $932.02 | $170.20 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $873.49 | $171.33 |
| Rest Of Texas | $897.55 | $171.68 |
| Rest Of Washington | $979.92 | $174.50 |
| Rhode Island | $966.70 | $176.57 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $1,016.14 | $177.83 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $1,067.13 | $177.57 |
| Salinas | $1,063.30 | $176.80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $1,092.71 | $177.91 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $1,270.20 | $191.72 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $1,269.70 | $191.22 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $1,298.74 | $195.78 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $1,296.69 | $193.74 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $1,045.58 | $174.38 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $1,106.58 | $177.25 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $1,068.48 | $176.63 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $1,118.09 | $178.82 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $1,124.00 | $185.49 |
| South Carolina | $876.87 | $170.12 |
| South Dakota** | $929.81 | $164.93 |
| Southern Maine | $926.98 | $168.98 |
| Stockton | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| Suburban Chicago | $973.31 | $187.77 |
| Tennessee | $860.33 | $165.06 |
| Utah | $890.31 | $171.32 |
| Vallejo | $1,192.85 | $184.74 |
| Vermont | $924.35 | $167.12 |
| Virgin Islands | $948.10 | $174.81 |
| Virginia | $921.72 | $169.84 |
| Visalia | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
| West Virginia | $841.63 | $176.95 |
| Wisconsin | $895.97 | $163.21 |
| Wyoming** | $935.75 | $170.87 |
| Yuba City | $1,011.35 | $173.04 |
49418 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.
$820.21
$1,155.05
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $1,049.17 | 1 |
| AL | $833.70 | 1 |
| AR | $820.21 | 1 |
| AZ | $912.78 | 1 |
| CA | $1,011.35–$1,298.74 | 29 |
| CO | $988.84 | 1 |
| CT | $1,006.52 | 1 |
| DC | $1,089.87 | 1 |
| DE | $929.18 | 1 |
| FL | $911.94–$994.67 | 3 |
| GA | $856.43–$955.64 | 2 |
| GU | $1,042.42 | 1 |
| HI | $1,042.42 | 1 |
| IA | $863.05 | 1 |
| ID | $868.15 | 1 |
| IL | $878.59–$973.31 | 4 |
| IN | $873.91 | 1 |
| KS | $855.87 | 1 |
| KY | $849.97 | 1 |
| LA | $847.42–$894.61 | 2 |
| MA | $980.83–$1,097.65 | 2 |
| MD | $949.20–$1,089.87 | 3 |
| ME | $870.34–$926.98 | 2 |
| MI | $872.22–$921.79 | 2 |
| MN | $952.30 | 1 |
| MO | $829.35–$901.39 | 3 |
| MS | $825.10 | 1 |
| MT | $939.54 | 1 |
| NC | $880.93 | 1 |
| ND | $930.84 | 1 |
| NE | $869.14 | 1 |
| NH | $970.36 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,019.38–$1,076.04 | 2 |
| NM | $876.46 | 1 |
| NV | $937.91 | 1 |
| NY | $895.41–$1,110.85 | 5 |
| OH | $870.44 | 1 |
| OK | $851.12 | 1 |
| OR | $932.02–$1,026.22 | 2 |
| PA | $873.49–$977.36 | 2 |
| PR | $948.10 | 1 |
| RI | $966.70 | 1 |
| SC | $876.87 | 1 |
| SD | $929.81 | 1 |
| TN | $860.33 | 1 |
| TX | $866.89–$984.31 | 8 |
| UT | $890.31 | 1 |
| VA | $921.72–$1,089.87 | 2 |
| VI | $948.10 | 1 |
| VT | $924.35 | 1 |
| WA | $979.92–$1,124.00 | 2 |
| WI | $895.97 | 1 |
| WV | $841.63 | 1 |
| WY | $935.75 | 1 |
How the 49418 rate is calculated
Each of 49418’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 · 49418
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 3.86Practice expense 23.83Malpractice 0.44
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 49418
The CMS indicators that decide how 49418 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 49418
Peritoneal catheter
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
49418 without 51 · national office
$939.57
Peritoneal catheter
49418-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$469.79
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%).
49418 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
49418 vs 49419 vs 49421 vs 49423 vs 49422: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 49419Peritoneal catheter
- Choose 49418 for percutaneous tunneled placement without a port. Choose 49419 when the catheter is placed with a subcutaneous port.
- 49421Dialysis catheter placement
- 49421 is for open insertion of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter for dialysis. This code describes percutaneous placement.
- 49423Drain catheter exchange
- 49423 describes exchange of an existing drainage catheter. Use 49418 for initial percutaneous placement of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter.
- 49422Catheter removal
- 49422 is for removal of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter; 49418 is for placing one.
49418 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 49419?
49418 describes percutaneous placement of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter without a port. Use 49419 when the placement includes a subcutaneous port.
Is this the code for an open peritoneal dialysis catheter placement?
No. 49421 describes open insertion of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter for dialysis; 49418 is for percutaneous placement.
Can catheter imaging or guidance be billed separately?
The submitted facts do not specify separate reporting for imaging or guidance. The record should clearly support the percutaneous catheter placement and its final position.
Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral placement?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.
What documentation supports reporting 49418 rather than an exchange code?
Document that a new tunneled catheter was placed percutaneously, including the indication, route, and final position. An exchange of an existing drainage catheter is a different service.
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
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