Billing code 50386: Stent removalMedicare rate & RVUs
Removal of an indwelling ureteral stent through a transurethral route, reported when the procedure extracts the stent rather than exchanging it.
Medicare pays $752.52 for 50386 nationally in the office and $143.96 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $656.04–$1,040.70.
Medicare rate · 50386
Stent removal
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 2.97
- Total RVUs
- 22.53
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$752.52
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 50386 → · 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 50386 covers
A urologist typically performs this procedure by passing an endoscope through the urethra and bladder to grasp and withdraw an indwelling ureteral stent. It may follow temporary stenting for ureteral stones or obstruction, and can be performed in an office or facility setting. The defining features are the transurethral route and removal of the stent without replacing it.
Report the code when the documented service is transurethral stent removal; use the exchange code when a new stent is placed. Documentation should identify the approach, removal rather than exchange, and the treated side or sides. 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 the others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 50386 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
$656.04 to $1040.70
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $666.94 | $134.44 |
| Alaska* | $838.06 | $189.94 |
| Arizona | $730.84 | $141.14 |
| Arkansas | $656.04 | $133.28 |
| Atlanta | $765.62 | $147.32 |
| Austin | $788.43 | $144.57 |
| Bakersfield | $810.94 | $143.96 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $803.88 | $150.89 |
| Beaumont | $693.96 | $140.17 |
| Brazoria | $744.76 | $141.67 |
| Chicago | $772.86 | $161.25 |
| Chico | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Colorado | $791.93 | $144.42 |
| Connecticut | $806.50 | $151.08 |
| Dallas | $749.05 | $142.92 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $873.35 | $156.46 |
| Delaware | $744.05 | $142.79 |
| Detroit | $738.81 | $151.54 |
| East St. Louis | $714.14 | $154.26 |
| El Centro | $809.88 | $142.90 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $771.11 | $154.63 |
| Fort Worth | $742.81 | $142.76 |
| Fresno | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Galveston | $746.65 | $142.34 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $834.95 | $143.01 |
| Houston | $753.60 | $149.30 |
| Idaho | $694.58 | $134.70 |
| Indiana | $699.23 | $135.09 |
| Iowa | $690.42 | $133.58 |
| Kansas | $684.73 | $134.58 |
| Kentucky | $680.33 | $139.32 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $869.56 | $149.63 |
| Madera | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Manhattan | $870.09 | $162.94 |
| Merced | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $879.48 | $152.85 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $713.15 | $141.71 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $783.02 | $149.51 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $721.80 | $142.44 |
| Miami | $798.19 | $164.68 |
| Minnesota | $762.17 | $135.95 |
| Mississippi | $660.16 | $136.19 |
| Modesto | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Montana** | $752.50 | $143.93 |
| Napa | $956.25 | $154.16 |
| Nebraska | $695.30 | $133.59 |
| Nevada** | $751.04 | $141.87 |
| New Hampshire | $777.20 | $143.69 |
| New Mexico | $701.90 | $143.85 |
| New Orleans | $716.45 | $143.79 |
| North Carolina | $705.02 | $137.23 |
| North Dakota** | $744.98 | $136.42 |
| Northern Nj | $862.14 | $156.20 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $890.83 | $167.24 |
| Ohio | $696.89 | $141.27 |
| Oklahoma | $681.14 | $137.70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $867.11 | $147.79 |
| Portland | $821.97 | $145.86 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $820.51 | $154.13 |
| Puerto Rico | $759.38 | $144.12 |
| Queens | $881.08 | $161.75 |
| Redding | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Rest Of California | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Rest Of Florida | $730.72 | $148.93 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $685.77 | $142.93 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $703.93 | $148.31 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $678.32 | $139.74 |
| Rest Of Maine | $696.47 | $136.59 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $760.16 | $144.29 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $785.49 | $144.67 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $698.42 | $142.81 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $663.79 | $139.20 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $816.66 | $152.11 |
| Rest Of New York | $716.72 | $138.59 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $746.19 | $140.06 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $699.29 | $140.63 |
| Rest Of Texas | $718.62 | $141.09 |
| Rest Of Washington | $784.73 | $143.91 |
| Rhode Island | $774.18 | $145.53 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $813.94 | $146.96 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $854.63 | $146.87 |
| Salinas | $851.57 | $146.24 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $875.25 | $147.41 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $1,017.74 | $159.66 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $1,017.31 | $159.23 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $1,040.70 | $163.15 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $1,038.94 | $161.39 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $837.37 | $144.21 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $886.45 | $147.05 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $855.76 | $146.17 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $895.67 | $148.36 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $900.58 | $153.87 |
| South Carolina | $701.93 | $139.62 |
| South Dakota** | $744.09 | $135.53 |
| Southern Maine | $742.07 | $138.99 |
| Stockton | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| Suburban Chicago | $780.31 | $155.32 |
| Tennessee | $688.35 | $135.16 |
| Utah | $712.79 | $140.74 |
| Vallejo | $955.63 | $153.54 |
| Vermont | $739.85 | $137.37 |
| Virgin Islands | $759.38 | $144.12 |
| Virginia | $737.90 | $139.68 |
| Visalia | $809.82 | $142.83 |
| West Virginia | $674.07 | $145.23 |
| Wisconsin | $716.83 | $133.83 |
| Wyoming** | $749.22 | $140.66 |
| Yuba City | $809.82 | $142.83 |
50386 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.
$656.04
$925.26
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 | $838.06 | 1 |
| AL | $666.94 | 1 |
| AR | $656.04 | 1 |
| AZ | $730.84 | 1 |
| CA | $809.82–$1,040.70 | 29 |
| CO | $791.93 | 1 |
| CT | $806.50 | 1 |
| DC | $873.35 | 1 |
| DE | $744.05 | 1 |
| FL | $730.72–$798.19 | 3 |
| GA | $685.77–$765.62 | 2 |
| GU | $834.95 | 1 |
| HI | $834.95 | 1 |
| IA | $690.42 | 1 |
| ID | $694.58 | 1 |
| IL | $703.93–$780.31 | 4 |
| IN | $699.23 | 1 |
| KS | $684.73 | 1 |
| KY | $680.33 | 1 |
| LA | $678.32–$716.45 | 2 |
| MA | $785.49–$879.48 | 2 |
| MD | $760.16–$873.35 | 3 |
| ME | $696.47–$742.07 | 2 |
| MI | $698.42–$738.81 | 2 |
| MN | $762.17 | 1 |
| MO | $663.79–$721.80 | 3 |
| MS | $660.16 | 1 |
| MT | $752.50 | 1 |
| NC | $705.02 | 1 |
| ND | $744.98 | 1 |
| NE | $695.30 | 1 |
| NH | $777.20 | 1 |
| NJ | $816.66–$862.14 | 2 |
| NM | $701.90 | 1 |
| NV | $751.04 | 1 |
| NY | $716.72–$890.83 | 5 |
| OH | $696.89 | 1 |
| OK | $681.14 | 1 |
| OR | $746.19–$821.97 | 2 |
| PA | $699.29–$783.02 | 2 |
| PR | $759.38 | 1 |
| RI | $774.18 | 1 |
| SC | $701.93 | 1 |
| SD | $744.09 | 1 |
| TN | $688.35 | 1 |
| TX | $693.96–$788.43 | 8 |
| UT | $712.79 | 1 |
| VA | $737.90–$873.35 | 2 |
| VI | $759.38 | 1 |
| VT | $739.85 | 1 |
| WA | $784.73–$900.58 | 2 |
| WI | $716.83 | 1 |
| WV | $674.07 | 1 |
| WY | $749.22 | 1 |
How the 50386 rate is calculated
Each of 50386’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 · 50386
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.97Practice expense 19.18Malpractice 0.38
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 50386
The CMS indicators that decide how 50386 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 50386
Stent removal
| 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) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| 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 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
50386 without 50 · national office
$752.52
Stent removal
50386-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,128.78
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).
50386 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
50386 vs 50385 vs 50384 vs 52310: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 50385Ureteral stent exchange
- Choose 50386 when the stent is removed without replacement. Choose 50385 when the transurethral procedure changes the existing stent for a new one.
- 50384Stent removal
- 50386 uses a transurethral route; 50384 describes removal through a percutaneous route. Base selection on the documented approach.
- 52310Cystoscopic removal
- 52310 describes cystourethroscopic removal of a stent from the urethra or bladder. Distinguish it from 50386 by the documented procedure and the service performed.
50386 billing questions
How does 50386 differ from 50385?
50386 describes transurethral removal without replacement. Report 50385 when the existing stent is changed and a new stent is placed.
How does 50386 differ from 50384?
Both describe ureteral stent removal, but 50386 uses a transurethral approach and 50384 uses a percutaneous approach. The operative documentation should establish the route.
Can 50386 be reported with 50385 for the same stent?
Do not report removal separately when it is part of an exchange reported with 50385. Use 50386 when the service ends with removal and no replacement.
How is bilateral removal reported?
For bilateral procedures, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
What same-session payment rules apply?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures in the same session at 50%. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the 0-day global period.
What documentation supports 50386?
Document the transurethral route, that the stent was removed rather than exchanged, and the side or sides treated. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity.
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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