Billing code 68810: Tear duct probingMedicare rate & RVUs
Reports probing a blocked nasolacrimal duct, with or without irrigation, when treatment does not require general anesthesia, a stent, or balloon dilation.
Medicare pays $160.66 for 68810 nationally in the office and $112.23 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $143.69–$211.40.
Medicare rate · 68810
Tear duct probing
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 1.5
- Total RVUs
- 4.81
- Global days
- 010
National rate · 2026
$160.66
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 68810 → · 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 68810 covers
An ophthalmologist passes a probe through the tear drainage pathway to open or assess an obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct. Irrigation may be used to check or restore flow. A common situation is treatment of persistent tear-duct blockage in an infant; the procedure may also be performed for duct obstruction in other patients. The service is commonly furnished in an office or outpatient setting.
Report 68810 for simple probing, with or without irrigation, when the service does not require general anesthesia and does not include tube or stent placement or balloon catheter dilation. The note should identify the treated side, the obstruction or reason for probing, the instruments and technique used, and whether irrigation was performed. This minor procedure has a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 68810 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
$143.69 to $211.40
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $145.60 | $103.22 |
| Alaska* | $190.84 | $139.26 |
| Arizona | $156.78 | $109.85 |
| Arkansas | $143.69 | $102.09 |
| Atlanta | $163.32 | $114.11 |
| Austin | $166.48 | $115.24 |
| Bakersfield | $170.27 | $117.19 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $170.19 | $118.22 |
| Beaumont | $150.78 | $106.71 |
| Brazoria | $159.22 | $111.22 |
| Chicago | $166.73 | $118.06 |
| Chico | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Colorado | $167.20 | $115.67 |
| Connecticut | $170.71 | $118.55 |
| Dallas | $160.11 | $111.88 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $182.78 | $125.73 |
| Delaware | $159.23 | $111.38 |
| Detroit | $159.68 | $112.94 |
| East St. Louis | $156.20 | $111.64 |
| El Centro | $169.90 | $116.82 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $165.28 | $116.22 |
| Fort Worth | $159.10 | $111.35 |
| Fresno | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Galveston | $159.62 | $111.53 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $173.57 | $118.50 |
| Houston | $161.82 | $113.73 |
| Idaho | $150.02 | $105.47 |
| Indiana | $150.82 | $105.92 |
| Iowa | $149.18 | $104.87 |
| Kansas | $148.44 | $104.66 |
| Kentucky | $148.49 | $105.44 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $180.86 | $123.57 |
| Madera | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Manhattan | $183.47 | $127.20 |
| Merced | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $182.94 | $125.12 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $154.07 | $108.59 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $166.70 | $116.29 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $155.55 | $109.45 |
| Miami | $171.16 | $120.74 |
| Minnesota | $160.93 | $111.09 |
| Mississippi | $144.80 | $103.10 |
| Modesto | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Montana** | $160.65 | $112.22 |
| Napa | $195.73 | $131.89 |
| Nebraska | $149.96 | $105.26 |
| Nevada** | $160.10 | $111.62 |
| New Hampshire | $164.53 | $114.11 |
| New Mexico | $152.62 | $108.21 |
| New Orleans | $154.92 | $109.34 |
| North Carolina | $152.07 | $106.89 |
| North Dakota** | $158.28 | $109.85 |
| Northern Nj | $181.14 | $124.95 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $187.44 | $129.85 |
| Ohio | $151.42 | $107.20 |
| Oklahoma | $148.36 | $105.11 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $179.94 | $122.70 |
| Portland | $172.26 | $118.45 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $173.88 | $120.84 |
| Puerto Rico | $161.77 | $112.81 |
| Queens | $185.03 | $127.78 |
| Redding | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Rest Of California | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Rest Of Florida | $157.99 | $111.69 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $149.92 | $106.72 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $153.65 | $109.43 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $148.24 | $105.38 |
| Rest Of Maine | $150.62 | $106.06 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $162.11 | $113.10 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $166.29 | $115.30 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $151.91 | $107.69 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $145.85 | $104.10 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $172.85 | $119.97 |
| Rest Of New York | $154.14 | $108.13 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $159.04 | $110.80 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $151.70 | $107.24 |
| Rest Of Texas | $154.84 | $108.87 |
| Rest Of Washington | $166.00 | $115.00 |
| Rhode Island | $164.69 | $114.66 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $171.20 | $118.12 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $177.97 | $121.64 |
| Salinas | $177.29 | $121.16 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $181.21 | $123.29 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $206.93 | $138.65 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $206.80 | $138.51 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $211.40 | $141.57 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $210.85 | $141.01 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $174.46 | $119.30 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $182.76 | $123.91 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $177.89 | $121.42 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $184.59 | $125.12 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $186.62 | $127.19 |
| South Carolina | $151.96 | $107.21 |
| South Dakota** | $158.00 | $109.57 |
| Southern Maine | $158.22 | $110.22 |
| Stockton | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| Suburban Chicago | $166.98 | $117.24 |
| Tennessee | $149.11 | $105.08 |
| Utah | $153.86 | $108.33 |
| Vallejo | $195.53 | $131.70 |
| Vermont | $157.61 | $109.67 |
| Virgin Islands | $161.77 | $112.81 |
| Virginia | $157.67 | $110.06 |
| Visalia | $169.88 | $116.80 |
| West Virginia | $148.43 | $106.34 |
| Wisconsin | $153.41 | $107.01 |
| Wyoming** | $159.62 | $111.18 |
| Yuba City | $169.88 | $116.80 |
68810 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.
$143.69
$190.84
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 | $190.84 | 1 |
| AL | $145.60 | 1 |
| AR | $143.69 | 1 |
| AZ | $156.78 | 1 |
| CA | $169.88–$211.40 | 29 |
| CO | $167.20 | 1 |
| CT | $170.71 | 1 |
| DC | $182.78 | 1 |
| DE | $159.23 | 1 |
| FL | $157.99–$171.16 | 3 |
| GA | $149.92–$163.32 | 2 |
| GU | $173.57 | 1 |
| HI | $173.57 | 1 |
| IA | $149.18 | 1 |
| ID | $150.02 | 1 |
| IL | $153.65–$166.98 | 4 |
| IN | $150.82 | 1 |
| KS | $148.44 | 1 |
| KY | $148.49 | 1 |
| LA | $148.24–$154.92 | 2 |
| MA | $166.29–$182.94 | 2 |
| MD | $162.11–$182.78 | 3 |
| ME | $150.62–$158.22 | 2 |
| MI | $151.91–$159.68 | 2 |
| MN | $160.93 | 1 |
| MO | $145.85–$155.55 | 3 |
| MS | $144.80 | 1 |
| MT | $160.65 | 1 |
| NC | $152.07 | 1 |
| ND | $158.28 | 1 |
| NE | $149.96 | 1 |
| NH | $164.53 | 1 |
| NJ | $172.85–$181.14 | 2 |
| NM | $152.62 | 1 |
| NV | $160.10 | 1 |
| NY | $154.14–$187.44 | 5 |
| OH | $151.42 | 1 |
| OK | $148.36 | 1 |
| OR | $159.04–$172.26 | 2 |
| PA | $151.70–$166.70 | 2 |
| PR | $161.77 | 1 |
| RI | $164.69 | 1 |
| SC | $151.96 | 1 |
| SD | $158.00 | 1 |
| TN | $149.11 | 1 |
| TX | $150.78–$166.48 | 8 |
| UT | $153.86 | 1 |
| VA | $157.67–$182.78 | 2 |
| VI | $161.77 | 1 |
| VT | $157.61 | 1 |
| WA | $166.00–$186.62 | 2 |
| WI | $153.41 | 1 |
| WV | $148.43 | 1 |
| WY | $159.62 | 1 |
How the 68810 rate is calculated
Each of 68810’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 · 68810
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.50Practice expense 3.19Malpractice 0.12
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 68810
68810 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 68810
Tear duct probing
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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) | 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. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 68810
Tear duct probing
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
68810 without 50 · national office
$160.66
Tear duct probing
68810-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$240.99
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).
68810 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
68810 vs 68811 vs 68815 vs 68816 vs 68840: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 68811Tear duct probing
- Choose 68811 when nasolacrimal duct probing requires general anesthesia; 68810 describes simple probing without that requirement.
- 68815Duct probing
- Choose 68815 when a tube or stent is inserted during probing. Simple probing, with or without irrigation, is 68810.
- 68816Tear duct dilation
- Choose 68816 when probing includes balloon catheter dilation; 68810 is for probing without that balloon technique.
- 68840Tear duct probing
- 68840 addresses probing of the lacrimal canaliculi. Use 68810 when the treated obstruction is in the nasolacrimal duct.
68810 billing questions
When should 68810 be used instead of 68811?
Use 68810 for simple nasolacrimal duct probing when the service does not require general anesthesia. Use 68811 when the probing requires general anesthesia.
Does 68810 include irrigation?
Yes. Irrigation may be performed with the probing and is included in this service.
Can 68810 be reported when a stent or balloon catheter is used?
No. Tube or stent placement is represented by 68815, and probing with balloon catheter dilation is represented by 68816.
How is bilateral probing reported?
Report bilateral treatment with modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
Are postoperative visits separately billable during the global period?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in 68810.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed for 68810?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this procedure. 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
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