On this page

CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

69220 in Chico

Office / nonfacility

$81.65

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$44.31

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.

Otolaryngology procedure

About 69220: Simple mastoid cavity cleaning

Reports routine cleaning of a postmastoidectomy cavity, typically by an otolaryngologist removing debris during an office visit.

An otolaryngologist typically uses direct visualization to remove debris, crusting, or accumulated material from a mastoid cavity created by prior surgery. This is the routine, simple cleaning service for a patient who returns for ongoing cavity care; it is not a procedure to remove impacted cerumen from the external ear canal. The service is commonly performed in an office, though it may also occur in a facility setting.

Document the mastoid cavity being treated, the material removed, and the work performed so the record supports simple rather than complicated cleaning. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

CMS billing rules for 69220

Global period
Minor procedure with a 0-day global period: same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.
Multiple procedures
Standard multiple procedure reduction: the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50% when performed in the same session.
Bilateral procedures
Bilateral procedure with modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
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 RVU0.81 · 34%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU1.42 · 60%
  • Malpractice RVU0.12 · 5%

36.3K

Medicare services in 2024 · #906 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.

69220 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Chico, from the same CMS release.

69222

Mastoid cleaning

Complicated debridement

$229.93

Both address mastoid cavity cleaning. Choose 69220 for routine, simple work and 69222 when the cleaning is complicated.

69210

Impacted ear wax removal

Instrumentation, unilateral

$49.48

69210 is for impacted cerumen removed from the external ear canal using instrumentation; 69220 is for a postmastoidectomy cavity.

69209

Earwax removal

Irrigation or lavage

$18.48

69209 addresses impacted external-canal cerumen removed by irrigation or lavage. It does not describe cleaning a mastoid cavity.

The same code, a different location

How does Chico compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 69220 is $81.99—$0.34 higher than the $81.65 rate in Chico. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

69220 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Chico · This locality

    $81.65

  2. $0.34 higher than Chico

  3. El Centro

    $81.67

    $0.02 higher than Chico

  4. Fresno

    $81.65

    The same base rate than Chico

  5. The same base rate than Chico

  6. $5.28 higher than Chico

  7. Madera

    $81.65

    The same base rate than Chico

Other payment areas listed in California 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, 69220 ranges from $69.86 in Arkansas to $100.57 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
  • Merced

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 69220

    Office

    $93.31

    Facility

    $48.40

    $11.66 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 69220

    Office

    $86.37

    Facility

    $46.10

    $4.72 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 69220

    Office

    $82.94

    Facility

    $45.60

    $1.29 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 69220

    Office

    $85.34

    Facility

    $45.72

    $3.69 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 69220

    Office

    $85.01

    Facility

    $45.53

    $3.36 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 69220

    Office

    $86.76

    Facility

    $46.02

    $5.11 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 69220

    Office

    $98.34

    Facility

    $50.30

    $16.69 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 69220

    Office

    $98.20

    Facility

    $50.17

    $16.55 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 69220

    Office

    $100.57

    Facility

    $51.44

    $18.92 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 69220

    Office

    $100.01

    Facility

    $50.89

    $18.36 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 69220

    Office

    $83.68

    Facility

    $44.88

    $2.03 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 69220

    Office

    $87.40

    Facility

    $46.00

    $5.75 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 69220

    Office

    $85.26

    Facility

    $45.54

    $3.61 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 69220

    Office

    $88.26

    Facility

    $46.42

    $6.61 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 69220

    Office

    $93.11

    Facility

    $48.21

    $11.46 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 69220

    Office

    $81.65

    Facility

    $44.31

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 69220

    Office

    $88.85

    Facility

    $48.72

    $7.20 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 69220

    Office

    $86.57

    Facility

    $51.10

    $4.92 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 69220

    Office

    $84.11

    Facility

    $49.87

    $2.46 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 69220

    Office

    $90.26

    Facility

    $50.67

    $8.61 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 69220

    Office

    $93.30

    Facility

    $57.02

    $11.65 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 69220

    Office

    $70.82

    Facility

    $41.01

    $10.83 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 69220

    Office

    $69.86

    Facility

    $40.60

    $11.79 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 69220

    Office

    $76.44

    Facility

    $43.43

    $5.21 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 69220

    Office

    $80.97

    Facility

    $44.73

    $0.68 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 69220

    Office

    $83.53

    Facility

    $46.83

    $1.88 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 69220

    Office

    $77.65

    Facility

    $43.99

    $4.00 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 69220

    Office

    $82.35

    Facility

    $47.84

    $0.70 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 69220

    Office

    $78.42

    Facility

    $45.85

    $3.23 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 69220

    Office

    $80.14

    Facility

    $45.52

    $1.51 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 69220

    Office

    $74.14

    Facility

    $43.75

    $7.51 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 69220

    Office

    $83.30

    Facility

    $44.57

    $1.65 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 69220

    Office

    $72.04

    Facility

    $40.87

    $9.61 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 69220

    Office

    $72.59

    Facility

    $41.24

    $9.06 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 69220

    Office

    $78.76

    Facility

    $47.42

    $2.89 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 69220

    Office

    $76.62

    Facility

    $45.52

    $5.03 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 69220

    Office

    $83.06

    Facility

    $48.07

    $1.41 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 69220

    Office

    $72.97

    Facility

    $41.39

    $8.68 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 69220

    Office

    $71.95

    Facility

    $41.15

    $9.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 69220

    Office

    $72.89

    Facility

    $42.60

    $8.76 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 69220

    Office

    $76.24

    Facility

    $44.18

    $5.41 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 69220

    Office

    $72.87

    Facility

    $42.72

    $8.78 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 69220

    Office

    $88.36

    Facility

    $47.68

    $6.71 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 69220

    Office

    $80.63

    Facility

    $44.75

    $1.02 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 69220

    Office

    $83.34

    Facility

    $46.78

    $1.69 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 69220

    Office

    $79.00

    Facility

    $44.53

    $2.65 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 69220

    Office

    $73.18

    Facility

    $41.84

    $8.47 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 69220

    Office

    $76.59

    Facility

    $42.82

    $5.06 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 69220

    Office

    $79.58

    Facility

    $46.71

    $2.07 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 69220

    Office

    $74.88

    Facility

    $43.78

    $6.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 69220

    Office

    $77.05

    Facility

    $41.99

    $4.60 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 69220

    Office

    $75.51

    Facility

    $43.52

    $6.14 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 69220

    Office

    $76.22

    Facility

    $43.79

    $5.43 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 69220

    Office

    $71.84

    Facility

    $42.48

    $9.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 69220

    Office

    $70.85

    Facility

    $41.52

    $10.80 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 69220

    Office

    $78.48

    Facility

    $44.42

    $3.17 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 69220

    Office

    $73.87

    Facility

    $42.08

    $7.78 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 69220

    Office

    $76.11

    Facility

    $42.04

    $5.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 69220

    Office

    $72.35

    Facility

    $40.90

    $9.30 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 69220

    Office

    $79.94

    Facility

    $44.47

    $1.71 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 69220

    Office

    $88.06

    Facility

    $48.54

    $6.41 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 69220

    Office

    $84.33

    Facility

    $47.12

    $2.68 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 69220

    Office

    $75.36

    Facility

    $44.12

    $6.29 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 69220

    Office

    $77.87

    Facility

    $43.77

    $3.78 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 69220

    Office

    $92.62

    Facility

    $52.11

    $10.97 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 69220

    Office

    $85.06

    Facility

    $47.75

    $3.41 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 69220

    Office

    $90.63

    Facility

    $50.36

    $8.98 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 69220

    Office

    $74.93

    Facility

    $42.56

    $6.72 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 69220

    Office

    $74.40

    Facility

    $43.29

    $7.25 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 69220

    Office

    $72.52

    Facility

    $42.10

    $9.13 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 69220

    Office

    $83.16

    Facility

    $45.31

    $1.51 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 69220

    Office

    $77.11

    Facility

    $43.18

    $4.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 69220

    Office

    $81.70

    Facility

    $46.23

    $0.05 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 69220

    Office

    $74.38

    Facility

    $43.11

    $7.27 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 69220

    Office

    $78.95

    Facility

    $44.51

    $2.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 69220

    Office

    $80.14

    Facility

    $44.95

    $1.51 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 69220

    Office

    $74.29

    Facility

    $42.81

    $7.36 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 69220

    Office

    $75.83

    Facility

    $41.76

    $5.82 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 69220

    Office

    $72.32

    Facility

    $41.35

    $9.33 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $80.84

    Facility

    $44.80

    $0.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $73.94

    Facility

    $42.94

    $7.71 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $77.40

    Facility

    $43.64

    $4.25 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $77.98

    Facility

    $44.04

    $3.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $77.55

    Facility

    $43.96

    $4.10 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $77.69

    Facility

    $43.86

    $3.96 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $79.88

    Facility

    $46.05

    $1.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 69220

    Office

    $75.68

    Facility

    $43.35

    $5.97 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 69220

    Office

    $75.24

    Facility

    $43.21

    $6.41 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 69220

    Office

    $76.51

    Facility

    $43.02

    $5.14 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 69220

    Office

    $78.95

    Facility

    $44.51

    $2.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 69220

    Office

    $76.04

    Facility

    $42.31

    $5.61 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 69220

    Office

    $80.40

    Facility

    $44.53

    $1.25 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 69220

    Office

    $89.88

    Facility

    $48.08

    $8.23 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 69220

    Office

    $73.73

    Facility

    $41.09

    $7.92 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 69220

    Office

    $74.01

    Facility

    $44.40

    $7.64 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 69220

    Office

    $77.45

    Facility

    $43.38

    $4.20 lower than Chico for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

69220 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

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.

$69.86

$93.30

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$93.301
AL$70.821
AR$69.861
AZ$76.441
CA$81.65–$100.5729
CO$80.971
CT$83.531
DC$88.851
DE$77.651
FL$78.42–$86.573
GA$74.14–$80.142
GU$83.301
HI$83.301
IA$72.041
ID$72.591
IL$76.62–$84.114
IN$72.971
KS$71.951
KY$72.891
LA$72.87–$76.242
MA$80.63–$88.362
MD$79.00–$88.853
ME$73.18–$76.592
MI$74.88–$79.582
MN$77.051
MO$71.84–$76.223
MS$70.851
MT$78.481
NC$73.871
ND$76.111
NE$72.351
NH$79.941
NJ$84.33–$88.062
NM$75.361
NV$77.871
NY$74.93–$92.625
OH$74.401
OK$72.521
OR$77.11–$83.162
PA$74.38–$81.702
PR$78.951
RI$80.141
SC$74.291
SD$75.831
TN$72.321
TX$73.94–$80.848
UT$75.241
VA$76.51–$88.852
VI$78.951
VT$76.041
WA$80.40–$89.882
WI$73.731
WV$74.011
WY$77.451

Explore 69220 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Chico is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California, 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.

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 69220 in Chico, the physician’s office rate is $81.65 and the facility-setting rate is $44.31: a difference of $37.34.

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 69220 in Chico. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$89.82

$81.65 × 110% = $89.82

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 69220 in Chico.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,596

Code
69220
Physician work
0.81
Practice expense
1.42
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

9

Locality
Chico
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 69220 in Chico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.81× 1.0170.8238
Practice expense1.42× 1.0961.5563
Malpractice0.12× 0.5360.0643
Total RVUs2.4444
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Chico$81.65

Open 69220 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.811.017
Practice expense1.421.096
Malpractice0.120.536

(0.81 × 1.017 + 1.42 × 1.096 + 0.12 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $81.65

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.811.017
Practice expense0.41.096
Malpractice0.120.536

(0.81 × 1.017 + 0.4 × 1.096 + 0.12 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $44.31

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

69220 · Office / nonfacility

$81.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.87 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $79.78 to $81.65 (2.3%).

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

    $79.78changed to$81.65

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.83 changed to 0.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $79.78

    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$81.65$44.31RVU26D
2026-07-01$81.65$44.31RVU26C
2026-04-01$81.65$44.31RVU26B
2026-01-01$81.65$44.31RVU26A
2025-10-01$79.78$50.79RVU25D
2025-07-01$79.78$50.79RVU25C
2025-04-01$79.78$50.79RVU25B
2025-01-01$79.78$50.79RVU25A

69220 billing questions

When should 69220 be selected instead of 69222?

Use 69220 for routine, simple cleaning of a mastoid cavity. Use 69222 when the documented cavity cleaning is complicated.

Is cleaning a mastoid cavity the same as removing earwax?

No. 69220 addresses debris or material in a postmastoidectomy cavity; 69209 and 69210 address impacted cerumen in the external ear canal.

How is bilateral cleaning reported?

The CMS payment rule specifies modifier 50 for bilateral treatment, paid at 150%. Document treatment of both mastoid cavities.

Is same-day evaluation or postoperative care separately included?

The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. The rule does not extend that inclusion to care on a later date.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for 69220?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. 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 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 69220PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,596 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ChicoGPCI2026.csv, line 9 (RVU26D)