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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

52281 in Beaumont

Office / nonfacility

$290.65

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$132.60

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Urology procedure

About 52281: Cystoscopic urethral stricture dilation

Cystoscopic dilation widens a urethral narrowing, with or without meatotomy, when a urologist treats obstructive symptoms from stricture or stenosis.

A urologist uses a cystoscope to evaluate a narrowed urethral segment and calibrate or widen it with suitable dilators. The procedure may also include a meatotomy when the narrowing involves the urethral opening. It is performed for urethral stricture or stenosis associated with symptoms such as impaired urinary flow, in an office or facility setting depending on the clinical circumstances and resources.

Report this code when the documented treatment is cystoscopic calibration or dilation of a urethral narrowing, whether or not meatotomy is performed. The record should identify the stricture or stenosis, its location when known, the treatment performed, and any meatotomy. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing. Report a single procedure rather than modifier 50; the descriptor and anatomy do not support bilateral reporting. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.

CMS billing rules for 52281

Global period
Minor procedure with a 0-day global period: same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.
Multiple procedures
Endoscopy family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together.
Bilateral procedures
Bilateral adjustment does not apply; the descriptor or anatomy makes modifier 50 inappropriate.
Assistant at surgery
Statutory restriction: assistant at surgery is not paid.
Co-surgeons
Co-surgeons not permitted.
Team surgery
Team surgery not permitted.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU2.68 · 29%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU6.25 · 67%
  • Malpractice RVU0.36 · 4%

47.9K

Medicare services in 2024 · #798 by national volume

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.

52281 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Beaumont, from the same CMS release.

52276

Urethral stricture treatment

Direct-vision incision

No office rate

52281 represents cystoscopic calibration or dilation, potentially with meatotomy. Choose 52276 when the documented treatment is direct-vision incision of the stricture.

52284

Urethral dilation

Drug-coated balloon

$2,450.64

52284 describes cystoscopic treatment using a drug-coated balloon. 52281 is the code for calibration or dilation without that specific balloon treatment.

53600

Urethral dilation

Male, initial

$86.62

53600 describes urethral dilation by passage of a sound or dilator. 52281 includes cystoscopic evaluation and treatment of the narrowing.

52270

Urethrotomy

Female urethra

$373.96

52270 is for cystoscopic urethral meatotomy. 52281 is for calibration or dilation of a stricture or stenosis, with meatotomy permitted as part of that service.

The same code, a different location

How does Beaumont compare?

In Austin, the office rate for 52281 is $321.21—$30.56 higher than the $290.65 rate in Beaumont. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

52281 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Beaumont · This locality

    $290.65

  2. Austin

    $321.21

    $30.56 higher than Beaumont

  3. Brazoria

    $306.49

    $15.84 higher than Beaumont

  4. Dallas

    $308.56

    $17.91 higher than Beaumont

  5. Fort Worth

    $306.63

    $15.98 higher than Beaumont

  6. Galveston

    $307.48

    $16.83 higher than Beaumont

  7. Houston

    $314.07

    $23.42 higher than Beaumont

Other payment areas listed in Texas appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 52281 ranges from $275.03 in Arkansas to $406.83 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 52281

    Office

    $298.48

    Facility

    $133.65

    $7.83 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    California · 52281

    Office

    $348.13

    Facility

    $142.66

    $57.48 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 52281

    Office

    $353.65

    Facility

    $149.04

    $63.00 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 52281

    Office

    $337.24

    Facility

    $156.43

    $46.59 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 52281

    Office

    $327.54

    Facility

    $152.98

    $36.89 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 52281

    Office

    $356.89

    Facility

    $155.07

    $66.24 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 52281

    Office

    $363.22

    Facility

    $178.25

    $72.57 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 52281

    Office

    $278.98

    Facility

    $127.01

    $11.67 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 52281

    Office

    $275.03

    Facility

    $125.83

    $15.62 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 52281

    Office

    $302.09

    Facility

    $133.79

    $11.44 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Bakersfield

    California · 52281

    Office

    $327.33

    Facility

    $136.98

    $36.68 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Chico

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • El Centro

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.34

    Facility

    $135.98

    $35.69 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Fresno

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Hanford-Corcoran

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Madera

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 52281

    Office

    $376.40

    Facility

    $147.49

    $85.75 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 52281

    Office

    $346.26

    Facility

    $140.97

    $55.61 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 52281

    Office

    $330.18

    Facility

    $139.82

    $39.53 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 52281

    Office

    $341.96

    Facility

    $139.97

    $51.31 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 52281

    Office

    $340.68

    Facility

    $139.38

    $50.03 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 52281

    Office

    $348.39

    Facility

    $140.66

    $57.74 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 52281

    Office

    $397.88

    Facility

    $152.99

    $107.23 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 52281

    Office

    $397.47

    Facility

    $152.58

    $106.82 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 52281

    Office

    $406.83

    Facility

    $156.38

    $116.18 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 52281

    Office

    $405.16

    Facility

    $154.71

    $114.51 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 52281

    Office

    $335.25

    Facility

    $137.43

    $44.60 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 52281

    Office

    $351.48

    Facility

    $140.45

    $60.83 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 52281

    Office

    $341.87

    Facility

    $139.36

    $51.22 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 52281

    Office

    $355.00

    Facility

    $141.71

    $64.35 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 52281

    Office

    $375.81

    Facility

    $146.90

    $85.16 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 52281

    Office

    $326.28

    Facility

    $135.92

    $35.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 52281

    Office

    $322.10

    Facility

    $137.30

    $31.45 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 52281

    Office

    $330.68

    Facility

    $143.63

    $40.03 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 52281

    Office

    $307.02

    Facility

    $135.42

    $16.37 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 52281

    Office

    $322.72

    Facility

    $146.78

    $32.07 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 52281

    Office

    $307.16

    Facility

    $141.11

    $16.51 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 52281

    Office

    $316.32

    Facility

    $139.86

    $25.67 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 52281

    Office

    $290.06

    Facility

    $135.13

    $0.59 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 52281

    Office

    $333.83

    Facility

    $136.35

    $43.18 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 52281

    Office

    $285.30

    Facility

    $126.38

    $5.35 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 52281

    Office

    $287.26

    Facility

    $127.47

    $3.39 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 52281

    Office

    $305.79

    Facility

    $146.00

    $15.14 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 52281

    Office

    $298.90

    Facility

    $140.33

    $8.25 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 52281

    Office

    $325.84

    Facility

    $147.47

    $35.19 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 52281

    Office

    $288.87

    Facility

    $127.87

    $1.78 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 52281

    Office

    $284.29

    Facility

    $127.28

    $6.36 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 52281

    Office

    $286.10

    Facility

    $131.69

    $4.55 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 52281

    Office

    $299.61

    Facility

    $136.18

    $8.96 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 52281

    Office

    $285.78

    Facility

    $132.07

    $4.87 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 52281

    Office

    $353.14

    Facility

    $145.76

    $62.49 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 52281

    Office

    $320.35

    Facility

    $137.46

    $29.70 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 52281

    Office

    $329.82

    Facility

    $143.45

    $39.17 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 52281

    Office

    $312.71

    Facility

    $136.94

    $22.06 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 52281

    Office

    $289.05

    Facility

    $129.26

    $1.60 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 52281

    Office

    $303.98

    Facility

    $131.86

    $13.33 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 52281

    Office

    $311.24

    Facility

    $143.63

    $20.59 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 52281

    Office

    $293.68

    Facility

    $135.11

    $3.03 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 52281

    Office

    $307.88

    Facility

    $129.16

    $17.23 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 52281

    Office

    $297.28

    Facility

    $134.19

    $6.63 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 52281

    Office

    $300.30

    Facility

    $134.95

    $9.65 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 52281

    Office

    $281.17

    Facility

    $131.46

    $9.48 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 52281

    Office

    $278.14

    Facility

    $128.60

    $12.51 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 52281

    Office

    $310.27

    Facility

    $136.59

    $19.62 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 52281

    Office

    $291.97

    Facility

    $129.92

    $1.32 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 52281

    Office

    $303.15

    Facility

    $129.47

    $12.50 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 52281

    Office

    $286.74

    Facility

    $126.43

    $3.91 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 52281

    Office

    $317.35

    Facility

    $136.54

    $26.70 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 52281

    Office

    $350.15

    Facility

    $148.68

    $59.50 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 52281

    Office

    $334.25

    Facility

    $144.58

    $43.60 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 52281

    Office

    $295.38

    Facility

    $136.12

    $4.73 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 52281

    Office

    $308.50

    Facility

    $134.64

    $17.85 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 52281

    Office

    $365.78

    Facility

    $159.27

    $75.13 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 52281

    Office

    $336.68

    Facility

    $146.49

    $46.03 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 52281

    Office

    $359.33

    Facility

    $154.04

    $68.68 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 52281

    Office

    $296.29

    Facility

    $131.28

    $5.64 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 52281

    Office

    $292.23

    Facility

    $133.65

    $1.58 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 52281

    Office

    $285.28

    Facility

    $130.18

    $5.37 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 52281

    Office

    $331.82

    Facility

    $138.86

    $41.17 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 52281

    Office

    $305.89

    Facility

    $132.90

    $15.24 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 52281

    Office

    $322.79

    Facility

    $141.98

    $32.14 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 52281

    Office

    $292.52

    Facility

    $133.07

    $1.87 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 52281

    Office

    $312.41

    Facility

    $136.82

    $21.76 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 52281

    Office

    $317.59

    Facility

    $138.17

    $26.94 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 52281

    Office

    $292.63

    Facility

    $132.14

    $1.98 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 52281

    Office

    $302.31

    Facility

    $128.63

    $11.66 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 52281

    Office

    $285.73

    Facility

    $127.85

    $4.92 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 52281

    Office

    $296.54

    Facility

    $133.28

    $5.89 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 52281

    Office

    $303.21

    Facility

    $132.48

    $12.56 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 52281

    Office

    $312.41

    Facility

    $136.82

    $21.76 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 52281

    Office

    $302.27

    Facility

    $130.32

    $11.62 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 52281

    Office

    $319.65

    Facility

    $136.76

    $29.00 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 52281

    Office

    $359.96

    Facility

    $146.85

    $69.31 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 52281

    Office

    $293.21

    Facility

    $126.82

    $2.56 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 52281

    Office

    $288.13

    Facility

    $137.20

    $2.52 lower than Beaumont for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 52281

    Office

    $307.17

    Facility

    $133.48

    $16.52 higher than Beaumont for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

52281 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$275.03

$366.55

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$363.221
AL$278.981
AR$275.031
AZ$302.091
CA$326.28–$406.8329
CO$322.101
CT$330.681
DC$353.651
DE$307.021
FL$307.16–$337.243
GA$290.06–$316.322
GU$333.831
HI$333.831
IA$285.301
ID$287.261
IL$298.90–$327.544
IN$288.871
KS$284.291
KY$286.101
LA$285.78–$299.612
MA$320.35–$353.142
MD$312.71–$353.653
ME$289.05–$303.982
MI$293.68–$311.242
MN$307.881
MO$281.17–$300.303
MS$278.141
MT$310.271
NC$291.971
ND$303.151
NE$286.741
NH$317.351
NJ$334.25–$350.152
NM$295.381
NV$308.501
NY$296.29–$365.785
OH$292.231
OK$285.281
OR$305.89–$331.822
PA$292.52–$322.792
PR$312.411
RI$317.591
SC$292.631
SD$302.311
TN$285.731
TX$290.65–$321.218
UT$296.541
VA$303.21–$353.652
VI$312.411
VT$302.271
WA$319.65–$359.962
WI$293.211
WV$288.131
WY$307.171

Explore 52281 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Beaumont is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 13 cities and communities in Texas, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in Texas →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 52281 in Beaumont, the physician’s office rate is $290.65 and the facility-setting rate is $132.60: a difference of $158.05.

The calculation uses a different practice-expense RVU for each setting. Both amounts here are physician fee-schedule amounts. The facility figure does not include a hospital’s separate charges, so this comparison does not tell you the total cost of receiving care in each setting.

See the inputs behind this difference →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 52281 in Beaumont. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$319.71

$290.65 × 110% = $319.71

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 52281 in Beaumont.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,124

Code
52281
Physician work
2.68
Practice expense
6.25
Malpractice
0.36

GPCI2026.csv

97

Locality
Beaumont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.910
Malpractice
0.929
Office / nonfacility calculation for 52281 in Beaumont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.68× 1.0002.6800
Practice expense6.25× 0.9105.6875
Malpractice0.36× 0.9290.3344
Total RVUs8.7019
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Beaumont$290.65

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 52281 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work2.681
Practice expense6.250.91
Malpractice0.360.929

(2.68 × 1 + 6.25 × 0.91 + 0.36 × 0.929) × $33.4009 = $290.65

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work2.681
Practice expense1.050.91
Malpractice0.360.929

(2.68 × 1 + 1.05 × 0.91 + 0.36 × 0.929) × $33.4009 = $132.60

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

52281 · Office / nonfacility

$290.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $13.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $277.25 to $290.65 (4.8%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $277.25changed to$290.65

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.75 changed to 2.68
    • Practice expense RVU 6.09 changed to 6.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.36
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.947 changed to 0.929

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $277.25

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$290.65$132.60RVU26D
2026-07-01$290.65$132.60RVU26C
2026-04-01$290.65$132.60RVU26B
2026-01-01$290.65$132.60RVU26A
2025-10-01$277.25$141.72RVU25D
2025-07-01$277.25$141.72RVU25C
2025-04-01$277.25$141.72RVU25B
2025-01-01$277.25$141.72RVU25A

52281 billing questions

When should 52281 be chosen over direct vision internal urethrotomy?

Use 52281 for cystoscopic calibration or dilation of a urethral narrowing, with or without meatotomy. Direct vision internal urethrotomy uses an incision to treat the stricture and is reported with 52276.

Can meatotomy be included in 52281?

Yes. The service may include meatotomy when performed with the cystoscopic calibration or dilation; document the narrowing and the work performed.

How does CMS price 52281 with another endoscopy?

When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing. The record should support each reported procedure.

Should modifier 50 be appended for a narrowing described on both sides?

No. The descriptor and urethral anatomy do not support bilateral reporting for 52281.

Is an assistant surgeon payable for 52281?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are also 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 indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.

Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.

RVUs for 52281PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,124 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for BeaumontGPCI2026.csv, line 97 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet