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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

47538 in Delaware

Office / nonfacility

$3454.27

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$200.79

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.

Interventional radiology

About 47538: Percutaneous biliary stent placement

Percutaneous placement of a biliary stent in the initial duct to restore bile drainage, typically for an obstructing stricture or other blockage.

An interventional radiologist typically places a stent through a percutaneous, often transhepatic, route to keep an obstructed bile duct open and allow bile to drain. Common clinical settings include biliary strictures and malignant obstruction. Imaging guidance and intraprocedural cholangiography, when performed, are part of the service; the code is for the initial duct treated, not a drainage catheter exchange or removal.

Report this code for stent placement in the initial duct and document the access route, treated duct, obstruction or stricture, and stent placement. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the 0-day global period. If multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is not appropriate for this service. Medicare does not pay for an assistant at surgery, co-surgeons, or team surgery for this code.

CMS billing rules for 47538

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 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 RVU4.63 · 4%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU99.51 · 95%
  • Malpractice RVU0.50 · 0%

685

Medicare services in 2024 · #3287 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.

47538 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Delaware, from the same CMS release.

47533

Biliary drainage

External catheter

$1,098.87

Choose 47533 when the service places a biliary drainage catheter. Choose 47538 when a stent is placed in the initial duct.

47536

Biliary catheter exchange

Percutaneous

$597.91

47536 describes exchange of an existing biliary drainage catheter; 47538 describes placement of a biliary stent in the initial duct.

47539

Biliary stent

New percutaneous access

$3,926.60

47538 is for the initial duct treated with a stent. Code 47539 addresses stent placement in an additional duct.

47537

Biliary catheter removal

Percutaneous removal

$457.47

47537 describes removal of a biliary drainage catheter. It is not the code for placing a biliary stent.

The same code, a different location

How does Delaware compare?

47538 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Delaware · This locality

    $3454.27

  2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $4104.04

    $649.77 higher than Delaware

  3. Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    $4096.93

    $642.66 higher than Delaware

  4. Miami

    $3656.88

    $202.61 higher than Delaware

  5. Chicago

    $3534.40

    $80.13 higher than Delaware

  6. Manhattan

    $4053.20

    $598.93 higher than Delaware

  7. Alaska*

    $3780.94

    $326.67 higher than Delaware

Other payment areas listed in Delaware 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, 47538 ranges from $3018.33 in Arkansas to $4973.42 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

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 47538

    Office

    $3072.36

    Facility

    $190.99

    $381.91 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 47538

    Office

    $3018.33

    Facility

    $189.64

    $435.94 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 47538

    Office

    $3389.63

    Facility

    $198.72

    $64.64 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Bakersfield

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3810.56

    Facility

    $201.43

    $356.29 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Chico

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • El Centro

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.11

    Facility

    $199.99

    $354.84 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fresno

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Hanford-Corcoran

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Madera

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4553.54

    Facility

    $213.37

    $1099.27 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4098.02

    Facility

    $205.70

    $643.75 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3814.48

    Facility

    $205.35

    $360.21 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4034.66

    Facility

    $204.90

    $580.39 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4020.59

    Facility

    $204.01

    $566.32 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4143.51

    Facility

    $205.09

    $689.24 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4863.45

    Facility

    $220.33

    $1409.18 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

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

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4862.89

    Facility

    $219.76

    $1408.62 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

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

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4973.42

    Facility

    $224.92

    $1519.15 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

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

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4971.10

    Facility

    $222.60

    $1516.83 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3951.95

    Facility

    $201.23

    $497.68 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4205.17

    Facility

    $204.18

    $750.90 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4043.39

    Facility

    $203.76

    $589.12 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4249.77

    Facility

    $205.97

    $795.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 47538

    Office

    $4552.72

    Facility

    $212.55

    $1098.45 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 47538

    Office

    $3809.03

    Facility

    $199.91

    $354.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 47538

    Office

    $3705.99

    Facility

    $202.24

    $251.72 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 47538

    Office

    $3757.60

    Facility

    $211.04

    $303.33 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 47538

    Office

    $3551.77

    Facility

    $215.97

    $97.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 47538

    Office

    $3357.23

    Facility

    $209.12

    $97.04 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 47538

    Office

    $3552.07

    Facility

    $206.39

    $97.80 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 47538

    Office

    $3139.31

    Facility

    $201.96

    $314.96 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 47538

    Office

    $3943.39

    Facility

    $199.25

    $489.12 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 47538

    Office

    $3202.48

    Facility

    $189.39

    $251.79 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 47538

    Office

    $3220.37

    Facility

    $190.82

    $233.90 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 47538

    Office

    $3246.11

    Facility

    $216.55

    $208.16 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 47538

    Office

    $3215.31

    Facility

    $208.80

    $238.96 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 47538

    Office

    $3598.79

    Facility

    $216.88

    $144.52 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 47538

    Office

    $3243.85

    Facility

    $191.25

    $210.42 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 47538

    Office

    $3167.71

    Facility

    $190.84

    $286.56 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 47538

    Office

    $3124.72

    Facility

    $197.25

    $329.55 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 47538

    Office

    $3301.24

    Facility

    $202.53

    $153.03 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 47538

    Office

    $3112.14

    Facility

    $197.84

    $342.13 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 47538

    Office

    $4144.38

    Facility

    $212.54

    $690.11 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 47538

    Office

    $3670.31

    Facility

    $202.79

    $216.04 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 47538

    Office

    $3744.13

    Facility

    $210.75

    $289.86 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 47538

    Office

    $3535.13

    Facility

    $202.62

    $80.86 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 47538

    Office

    $3222.86

    Facility

    $193.30

    $231.41 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 47538

    Office

    $3458.99

    Facility

    $195.64

    $4.72 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 47538

    Office

    $3390.20

    Facility

    $212.46

    $64.07 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 47538

    Office

    $3208.06

    Facility

    $201.56

    $246.21 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 47538

    Office

    $3579.70

    Facility

    $191.21

    $125.43 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 47538

    Office

    $3291.94

    Facility

    $199.82

    $162.33 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 47538

    Office

    $3335.56

    Facility

    $200.63

    $118.71 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 47538

    Office

    $3035.96

    Facility

    $197.40

    $418.31 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 47538

    Office

    $3028.71

    Facility

    $193.45

    $425.56 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 47538

    Office

    $3495.04

    Facility

    $202.04

    $40.77 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 47538

    Office

    $3266.35

    Facility

    $193.99

    $187.92 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 47538

    Office

    $3485.15

    Facility

    $192.16

    $30.88 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 47538

    Office

    $3228.76

    Facility

    $189.32

    $225.51 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 47538

    Office

    $3629.26

    Facility

    $201.25

    $174.99 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 47538

    Office

    $4037.74

    Facility

    $217.87

    $583.47 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 47538

    Office

    $3808.66

    Facility

    $212.71

    $354.39 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 47538

    Office

    $3222.56

    Facility

    $202.88

    $231.71 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 47538

    Office

    $3495.60

    Facility

    $199.32

    $41.33 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 47538

    Office

    $4147.46

    Facility

    $232.09

    $693.19 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 47538

    Office

    $3821.29

    Facility

    $215.46

    $367.02 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 47538

    Office

    $4117.27

    Facility

    $224.95

    $663.00 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 47538

    Office

    $3323.92

    Facility

    $195.58

    $130.35 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 47538

    Office

    $3206.04

    Facility

    $199.54

    $248.23 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 47538

    Office

    $3135.71

    Facility

    $195.06

    $318.56 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 47538

    Office

    $3862.20

    Facility

    $203.69

    $407.93 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 47538

    Office

    $3476.82

    Facility

    $196.99

    $22.55 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 47538

    Office

    $3637.35

    Facility

    $209.34

    $183.08 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 47538

    Office

    $3221.61

    Facility

    $198.64

    $232.66 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 47538

    Office

    $3531.38

    Facility

    $202.16

    $77.11 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 47538

    Office

    $3605.89

    Facility

    $204.22

    $151.62 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 47538

    Office

    $3239.96

    Facility

    $197.23

    $214.31 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 47538

    Office

    $3483.98

    Facility

    $190.99

    $29.71 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 47538

    Office

    $3184.88

    Facility

    $191.55

    $269.39 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3686.25

    Facility

    $202.26

    $231.98 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3194.75

    Facility

    $198.12

    $259.52 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3462.72

    Facility

    $199.36

    $8.45 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3480.80

    Facility

    $200.97

    $26.53 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3447.78

    Facility

    $200.88

    $6.49 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3470.17

    Facility

    $200.23

    $15.90 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3479.32

    Facility

    $209.38

    $25.05 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 47538

    Office

    $3323.94

    Facility

    $198.89

    $130.33 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 47538

    Office

    $3293.94

    Facility

    $198.53

    $160.33 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 47538

    Office

    $3433.66

    Facility

    $196.64

    $20.61 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 47538

    Office

    $3531.38

    Facility

    $202.16

    $77.11 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 47538

    Office

    $3453.58

    Facility

    $193.52

    $0.69 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 47538

    Office

    $3669.25

    Facility

    $201.72

    $214.98 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 47538

    Office

    $4254.23

    Facility

    $213.73

    $799.96 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 47538

    Office

    $3343.92

    Facility

    $189.23

    $110.35 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 47538

    Office

    $3066.86

    Facility

    $205.25

    $387.41 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 47538

    Office

    $3490.73

    Facility

    $197.73

    $36.46 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

47538 · 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.

$3,018.33

$4,391.23

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$3,780.941
AL$3,072.361
AR$3,018.331
AZ$3,389.631
CA$3,809.03–$4,973.4229
CO$3,705.991
CT$3,757.601
DC$4,096.931
DE$3,454.271
FL$3,357.23–$3,656.883
GA$3,139.31–$3,552.072
GU$3,943.391
HI$3,943.391
IA$3,202.481
ID$3,220.371
IL$3,215.31–$3,598.794
IN$3,243.851
KS$3,167.711
KY$3,124.721
LA$3,112.14–$3,301.242
MA$3,670.31–$4,144.382
MD$3,535.13–$4,096.933
ME$3,222.86–$3,458.992
MI$3,208.06–$3,390.202
MN$3,579.701
MO$3,035.96–$3,335.563
MS$3,028.711
MT$3,495.041
NC$3,266.351
ND$3,485.151
NE$3,228.761
NH$3,629.261
NJ$3,808.66–$4,037.742
NM$3,222.561
NV$3,495.601
NY$3,323.92–$4,147.465
OH$3,206.041
OK$3,135.711
OR$3,476.82–$3,862.202
PA$3,221.61–$3,637.352
PR$3,531.381
RI$3,605.891
SC$3,239.961
SD$3,483.981
TN$3,184.881
TX$3,194.75–$3,686.258
UT$3,293.941
VA$3,433.66–$4,096.932
VI$3,531.381
VT$3,453.581
WA$3,669.25–$4,254.232
WI$3,343.921
WV$3,066.861
WY$3,490.731

Explore 47538 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Delaware is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware, 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 Delaware →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 47538 in Delaware, the physician’s office rate is $3454.27 and the facility-setting rate is $200.79: a difference of $3253.48.

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 47538 in Delaware. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$3799.70

$3454.27 × 110% = $3799.70

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 47538 in Delaware.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,690

Code
47538
Physician work
4.63
Practice expense
99.51
Malpractice
0.50

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office / nonfacility calculation for 47538 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.63× 1.0054.6531
Practice expense99.51× 0.98898.3159
Malpractice0.50× 0.8990.4495
Total RVUs103.4185
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Delaware$3454.27

Open 47538 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work4.631.005
Practice expense99.510.988
Malpractice0.50.899

(4.63 × 1.005 + 99.51 × 0.988 + 0.5 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $3454.27

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work4.631.005
Practice expense0.920.988
Malpractice0.50.899

(4.63 × 1.005 + 0.92 × 0.988 + 0.5 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $200.79

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

47538 · Office / nonfacility

$3454.27

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $53.94 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $3400.33 to $3454.27 (1.6%).

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

    $3400.33changed to$3454.27

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.75 changed to 4.63
    • Practice expense RVU 100.66 changed to 99.51
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $3400.33

    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$3454.27$200.79RVU26D
2026-07-01$3454.27$200.79RVU26C
2026-04-01$3454.27$200.79RVU26B
2026-01-01$3454.27$200.79RVU26A
2025-10-01$3400.33$222.36RVU25D
2025-07-01$3400.33$222.36RVU25C
2025-04-01$3400.33$222.36RVU25B
2025-01-01$3400.33$222.36RVU25A

47538 billing questions

How does this differ from a biliary drainage catheter placement?

This code is for placing a stent to maintain duct patency. Codes 47533 and 47534 describe placement of biliary drainage catheters, rather than the stent service.

Can the cholangiography or imaging guidance be billed separately?

Imaging guidance and intraprocedural cholangiography, when performed as part of the stent placement, are included in this service.

What supports reporting this code?

Document the percutaneous access, the duct treated, the clinical obstruction or stricture, and placement of the stent in the initial duct.

Should modifier 50 be appended for bilateral duct treatment?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; report the applicable duct-level service rather than using modifier 50.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay for an assistant at surgery for this code, and 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 47538PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,690 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet