Billing code 52005: Ureteral catheterizationMedicare rate & RVUs
Report cystourethroscopy with ureteral catheterization to access a ureter for drainage, instillation, irrigation, or retrograde evaluation.
Medicare pays $280.57 for 52005 nationally in the office and $119.58 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $248.55–$370.19.
Medicare rate · 52005
Ureteral catheterization
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 2.31
- Total RVUs
- 8.40
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$280.57
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 52005 → · 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 52005 covers
A urologist passes a cystoscope through the urethra to inspect the bladder and guide a catheter into a ureter. The catheter may be used for irrigation, instillation, or contrast injection for retrograde evaluation of the ureter and collecting system. This service commonly supports evaluation of suspected obstruction, stones, or narrowing and may be performed in an operating room or another setting equipped for cystoscopy and imaging.
Report the service when the ureteral catheterization is performed; the cystoscopic access is part of the service, not a separate diagnostic cystoscopy. Document the ureter accessed and the catheterization and any irrigation, instillation, or retrograde study performed. Radiologic services are separate from this code. Medicare assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. Do not use modifier 50 for bilateral catheterization. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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 52005 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
$248.55 to $370.19
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $252.15 | $111.28 |
| Alaska* | $327.39 | $155.93 |
| Arizona | $273.17 | $117.17 |
| Arkansas | $248.55 | $110.26 |
| Atlanta | $285.85 | $122.28 |
| Austin | $290.85 | $120.52 |
| Bakersfield | $296.84 | $120.40 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $298.24 | $125.49 |
| Beaumont | $262.44 | $115.94 |
| Brazoria | $277.31 | $117.77 |
| Chicago | $294.62 | $132.82 |
| Chico | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Colorado | $291.77 | $120.47 |
| Connecticut | $299.06 | $125.67 |
| Dallas | $279.11 | $118.76 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $320.31 | $130.66 |
| Delaware | $277.65 | $118.59 |
| Detroit | $280.43 | $125.07 |
| East St. Louis | $274.89 | $126.78 |
| El Centro | $296.03 | $119.58 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $290.91 | $127.83 |
| Fort Worth | $277.30 | $118.56 |
| Fresno | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Galveston | $278.16 | $118.30 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $303.03 | $119.98 |
| Houston | $283.47 | $123.61 |
| Idaho | $259.96 | $111.85 |
| Indiana | $261.45 | $112.21 |
| Iowa | $258.26 | $110.95 |
| Kansas | $257.17 | $111.63 |
| Kentucky | $258.24 | $115.12 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $315.93 | $125.47 |
| Madera | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Manhattan | $322.57 | $135.49 |
| Merced | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $320.25 | $128.02 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $268.53 | $117.36 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $291.77 | $124.18 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $271.29 | $118.02 |
| Miami | $303.32 | $135.73 |
| Minnesota | $279.37 | $113.71 |
| Mississippi | $251.11 | $112.50 |
| Modesto | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Montana** | $280.55 | $119.56 |
| Napa | $342.27 | $130.08 |
| Nebraska | $259.63 | $111.03 |
| Nevada** | $279.14 | $117.99 |
| New Hampshire | $287.30 | $119.71 |
| New Mexico | $266.44 | $118.81 |
| New Orleans | $270.46 | $118.96 |
| North Carolina | $264.09 | $113.89 |
| North Dakota** | $274.81 | $113.82 |
| Northern Nj | $317.08 | $130.33 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $330.42 | $139.00 |
| Ohio | $263.79 | $116.80 |
| Oklahoma | $257.68 | $113.91 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $314.33 | $124.04 |
| Portland | $300.83 | $121.96 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $304.48 | $128.19 |
| Puerto Rico | $282.55 | $119.79 |
| Queens | $325.04 | $134.75 |
| Redding | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Rest Of California | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Rest Of Florida | $276.92 | $123.01 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $261.50 | $117.90 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $269.17 | $122.18 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $257.88 | $115.40 |
| Rest Of Maine | $261.41 | $113.30 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $282.87 | $119.95 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $290.10 | $120.58 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $264.96 | $117.98 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $253.58 | $114.81 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $302.42 | $126.61 |
| Rest Of New York | $268.00 | $115.06 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $276.92 | $116.57 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $264.15 | $116.36 |
| Rest Of Texas | $269.75 | $116.97 |
| Rest Of Washington | $289.52 | $120.00 |
| Rhode Island | $287.38 | $121.08 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $299.13 | $122.68 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $310.43 | $123.19 |
| Salinas | $309.27 | $122.68 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $316.42 | $123.87 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $362.08 | $135.09 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $361.76 | $134.76 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $370.19 | $138.04 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $368.84 | $136.69 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $304.31 | $120.94 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $319.34 | $123.74 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $310.39 | $122.67 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $322.56 | $124.86 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $326.63 | $129.09 |
| South Carolina | $264.39 | $115.63 |
| South Dakota** | $274.14 | $113.14 |
| Southern Maine | $275.25 | $115.71 |
| Stockton | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| Suburban Chicago | $293.82 | $128.48 |
| Tennessee | $258.45 | $112.11 |
| Utah | $267.96 | $116.62 |
| Vallejo | $341.79 | $129.60 |
| Vermont | $273.85 | $114.46 |
| Virgin Islands | $282.55 | $119.79 |
| Virginia | $274.43 | $116.17 |
| Visalia | $295.98 | $119.53 |
| West Virginia | $259.36 | $119.46 |
| Wisconsin | $265.73 | $111.50 |
| Wyoming** | $278.05 | $117.06 |
| Yuba City | $295.98 | $119.53 |
52005 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.
$248.55
$333.09
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 | $327.39 | 1 |
| AL | $252.15 | 1 |
| AR | $248.55 | 1 |
| AZ | $273.17 | 1 |
| CA | $295.98–$370.19 | 29 |
| CO | $291.77 | 1 |
| CT | $299.06 | 1 |
| DC | $320.31 | 1 |
| DE | $277.65 | 1 |
| FL | $276.92–$303.32 | 3 |
| GA | $261.50–$285.85 | 2 |
| GU | $303.03 | 1 |
| HI | $303.03 | 1 |
| IA | $258.26 | 1 |
| ID | $259.96 | 1 |
| IL | $269.17–$294.62 | 4 |
| IN | $261.45 | 1 |
| KS | $257.17 | 1 |
| KY | $258.24 | 1 |
| LA | $257.88–$270.46 | 2 |
| MA | $290.10–$320.25 | 2 |
| MD | $282.87–$320.31 | 3 |
| ME | $261.41–$275.25 | 2 |
| MI | $264.96–$280.43 | 2 |
| MN | $279.37 | 1 |
| MO | $253.58–$271.29 | 3 |
| MS | $251.11 | 1 |
| MT | $280.55 | 1 |
| NC | $264.09 | 1 |
| ND | $274.81 | 1 |
| NE | $259.63 | 1 |
| NH | $287.30 | 1 |
| NJ | $302.42–$317.08 | 2 |
| NM | $266.44 | 1 |
| NV | $279.14 | 1 |
| NY | $268.00–$330.42 | 5 |
| OH | $263.79 | 1 |
| OK | $257.68 | 1 |
| OR | $276.92–$300.83 | 2 |
| PA | $264.15–$291.77 | 2 |
| PR | $282.55 | 1 |
| RI | $287.38 | 1 |
| SC | $264.39 | 1 |
| SD | $274.14 | 1 |
| TN | $258.45 | 1 |
| TX | $262.44–$290.85 | 8 |
| UT | $267.96 | 1 |
| VA | $274.43–$320.31 | 2 |
| VI | $282.55 | 1 |
| VT | $273.85 | 1 |
| WA | $289.52–$326.63 | 2 |
| WI | $265.73 | 1 |
| WV | $259.36 | 1 |
| WY | $278.05 | 1 |
How the 52005 rate is calculated
Each of 52005’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 · 52005
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.31Practice expense 5.80Malpractice 0.29
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 52005
The CMS indicators that decide how 52005 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 52005
Ureteral catheterization
| 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 | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| 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
52005 without 51 · national office
$280.57
Ureteral catheterization
52005-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$140.29
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%).
52005 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
52005 vs 52000 vs 52007 vs 52001: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 52000Cystoscopy
- 52000 describes cystourethroscopy without ureteral catheterization. Choose 52005 when the cystoscope is used to guide a catheter into a ureter.
- 52007Ureteral biopsy
- 52007 includes brush biopsy of the ureter and/or renal pelvis with ureteral catheterization; 52005 describes catheterization without that biopsy service.
- 52001Clot evacuation
- 52001 is for cystoscopic irrigation and evacuation of multiple bladder clots. It is not the ureteral catheterization service described by 52005.
52005 billing questions
When should 52005 be reported instead of 52000?
Report 52005 when the cystoscopy includes catheterization of a ureter. Use 52000 for cystourethroscopy without ureteral catheterization.
Can 52000 be billed separately with 52005?
The cystourethroscopy used to perform the ureteral catheterization is included in 52005. Do not separately report 52000 for that same cystoscopic access.
How does 52005 differ from 52007?
52007 is the related code when ureteral or renal-pelvis brush biopsy is performed along with ureteral catheterization. Use 52005 when that biopsy service is not performed.
Should modifier 50 be added when both ureters are catheterized?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inapplicable to 52005, so modifier 50 is inappropriate.
Is retrograde imaging included in 52005?
The code may include ureteropyelography, but the radiologic service is separate. Report a radiology service only when its requirements are met and the service is documented.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for 52005?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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
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