43290 is for endoscopic balloon placement. Use 43291 for endoscopic removal of a previously placed intragastric balloon.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
43291 in El Centro
Office / nonfacility
$542.57
Base rate per service
Facility setting
$143.18
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.
Gastroenterology
About 43291: Endoscopic intragastric balloon removal
Reports transoral endoscopic removal of an intragastric balloon, typically after temporary endoscopic weight-loss treatment has ended or the device requires removal.
A gastroenterologist or other qualified endoscopist uses a flexible endoscope passed through the mouth to retrieve an intragastric balloon from the stomach. The service is performed in an endoscopy setting, such as a hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, for a patient whose previously placed balloon is due for removal or needs to be taken out. This is the removal service, not the endoscopic placement service.
Report the code when the documented procedure includes endoscopic extraction of the intragastric balloon. The operative report should identify the balloon and describe its removal; an examination without extraction is not this service. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy-family pricing applies. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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 43291
- 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 RVU2.73 · 18%
- Practice expense (office) RVU12.14 · 80%
- Malpractice RVU0.30 · 2%
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.
43291 compared with similar codes
Office rates for El Centro, from the same CMS release.
43235 describes diagnostic upper endoscopy without balloon extraction. It does not represent removal of an intragastric balloon.
43239 describes upper endoscopy with biopsy. Choose 43291 when the documented service is intragastric balloon removal, rather than biopsy.
The same code, a different location
How does El Centro compare?
In Bakersfield, the office rate for 43291 is $543.43—$0.86 higher than the $542.57 rate in El Centro. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.
43291 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
El Centro · This locality
$542.57
$543.43
$0.86 higher than El Centro
$542.52
$0.05 lower than El Centro
$542.52
$0.05 lower than El Centro
$542.52
$0.05 lower than El Centro
$38.70 higher than El Centro
$542.52
$0.05 lower than El Centro
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, 43291 ranges from $444.66 in Arkansas to $691.30 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 · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Modesto
California · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Napa
California · 43291
Office
$636.45
Facility
$156.17
$93.88 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 43291
Office
$579.27
Facility
$148.54
$36.70 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Redding
California · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of California
California · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 43291
Office
$545.79
Facility
$146.40
$3.22 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 43291
Office
$571.42
Facility
$147.62
$28.85 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Salinas
California · 43291
Office
$569.34
Facility
$147.00
$26.77 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 43291
Office
$584.31
Facility
$148.49
$41.74 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 43291
Office
$676.18
Facility
$162.37
$133.61 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 43291
Office
$675.84
Facility
$162.03
$133.27 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 43291
Office
$691.30
Facility
$165.83
$148.73 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 43291
Office
$689.90
Facility
$164.43
$147.33 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 43291
Office
$559.96
Facility
$144.90
$17.39 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 43291
Office
$591.14
Facility
$148.39
$48.57 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 43291
Office
$571.91
Facility
$147.01
$29.34 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 43291
Office
$597.23
Facility
$149.74
$54.66 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Stockton
California · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Vallejo
California · 43291
Office
$635.96
Facility
$155.68
$93.39 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Visalia
California · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Yuba City
California · 43291
Office
$542.52
Facility
$143.13
$0.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Dc + Md/Va Suburbs
District of Columbia · 43291
Office
$584.92
Facility
$155.66
$42.35 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Miami
Florida · 43291
Office
$538.64
Facility
$159.29
$3.93 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Chicago
Illinois · 43291
Office
$522.33
Facility
$156.11
$20.24 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Manhattan
New York · 43291
Office
$584.09
Facility
$160.65
$41.52 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Alaska*
Alaska · 43291
Office
$574.14
Facility
$186.05
$31.57 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Alabama
Alabama · 43291
Office
$451.66
Facility
$132.80
$90.91 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 43291
Office
$444.66
Facility
$131.64
$97.91 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Arizona
Arizona · 43291
Office
$492.68
Facility
$139.57
$49.89 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Colorado
Colorado · 43291
Office
$531.54
Facility
$143.82
$11.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 43291
Office
$541.84
Facility
$149.38
$0.73 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Delaware
Delaware · 43291
Office
$501.27
Facility
$141.24
$41.30 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 43291
Office
$520.06
Facility
$150.92
$22.51 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 43291
Office
$493.89
Facility
$145.52
$48.68 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Atlanta
Georgia · 43291
Office
$515.47
Facility
$145.23
$27.10 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 43291
Office
$464.82
Facility
$139.77
$77.75 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 43291
Office
$558.02
Facility
$143.70
$15.45 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Iowa
Iowa · 43291
Office
$466.18
Facility
$132.75
$76.39 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Idaho
Idaho · 43291
Office
$468.97
Facility
$133.72
$73.60 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 43291
Office
$484.41
Facility
$149.16
$58.16 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 43291
Office
$477.06
Facility
$144.36
$65.51 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 43291
Office
$526.01
Facility
$151.77
$16.56 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Indiana
Indiana · 43291
Office
$471.94
Facility
$134.14
$70.63 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Kansas
Kansas · 43291
Office
$462.79
Facility
$133.37
$79.78 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 43291
Office
$460.83
Facility
$136.88
$81.74 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 43291
Office
$484.13
Facility
$141.23
$58.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 43291
Office
$459.64
Facility
$137.14
$82.93 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 43291
Office
$587.99
Facility
$152.89
$45.42 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 43291
Office
$527.61
Facility
$143.89
$14.96 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 43291
Office
$540.13
Facility
$149.12
$2.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 43291
Office
$511.65
Facility
$142.87
$30.92 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 43291
Office
$470.47
Facility
$135.21
$72.10 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Southern Maine
Maine · 43291
Office
$499.34
Facility
$138.22
$43.23 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Detroit
Michigan · 43291
Office
$499.37
Facility
$147.72
$43.20 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 43291
Office
$472.71
Facility
$140.01
$69.86 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 43291
Office
$511.40
Facility
$136.42
$31.17 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 43291
Office
$481.73
Facility
$139.55
$60.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 43291
Office
$487.25
Facility
$140.34
$55.32 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 43291
Office
$450.47
Facility
$136.36
$92.10 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 43291
Office
$447.71
Facility
$133.96
$94.86 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Montana**
Montana · 43291
Office
$506.67
Facility
$142.27
$35.90 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 43291
Office
$475.91
Facility
$135.92
$66.66 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 43291
Office
$500.74
Facility
$136.34
$41.83 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 43291
Office
$469.24
Facility
$132.89
$73.33 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 43291
Office
$522.06
Facility
$142.72
$20.51 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 43291
Office
$578.00
Facility
$155.29
$35.43 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 43291
Office
$548.62
Facility
$150.69
$6.05 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 43291
Office
$475.05
Facility
$140.89
$67.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Nevada**
Nevada · 43291
Office
$505.42
Facility
$140.66
$37.15 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 43291
Office
$597.75
Facility
$164.48
$55.18 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 43291
Office
$551.42
Facility
$152.40
$8.85 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Queens
New York · 43291
Office
$590.76
Facility
$160.03
$48.19 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of New York
New York · 43291
Office
$483.44
Facility
$137.26
$59.13 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Ohio
Ohio · 43291
Office
$471.49
Facility
$138.79
$71.08 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 43291
Office
$461.07
Facility
$135.66
$81.50 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Portland
Oregon · 43291
Office
$550.59
Facility
$145.74
$8.02 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 43291
Office
$502.09
Facility
$139.15
$40.48 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 43291
Office
$526.89
Facility
$147.55
$15.68 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 43291
Office
$472.89
Facility
$138.37
$69.68 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 43291
Office
$511.00
Facility
$142.59
$31.57 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 43291
Office
$520.72
Facility
$144.29
$21.85 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 43291
Office
$474.37
Facility
$137.66
$68.20 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 43291
Office
$500.04
Facility
$135.63
$42.53 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 43291
Office
$465.15
Facility
$133.91
$77.42 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Austin
Texas · 43291
Office
$529.25
Facility
$143.71
$13.32 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Beaumont
Texas · 43291
Office
$469.49
Facility
$137.88
$73.08 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Brazoria
Texas · 43291
Office
$501.57
Facility
$140.44
$41.00 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Dallas
Texas · 43291
Office
$504.47
Facility
$141.52
$38.10 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Fort Worth
Texas · 43291
Office
$500.54
Facility
$141.24
$42.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Galveston
Texas · 43291
Office
$502.86
Facility
$141.01
$39.71 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Houston
Texas · 43291
Office
$508.35
Facility
$146.50
$34.22 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 43291
Office
$485.04
Facility
$139.22
$57.53 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Utah
Utah · 43291
Office
$481.34
Facility
$138.80
$61.23 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Virginia
Virginia · 43291
Office
$496.85
Facility
$138.64
$45.72 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 43291
Office
$511.00
Facility
$142.59
$31.57 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Vermont
Vermont · 43291
Office
$497.69
Facility
$136.93
$44.88 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 43291
Office
$526.97
Facility
$143.26
$15.60 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 43291
Office
$601.46
Facility
$154.34
$58.89 higher than El Centro for the office setting.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 43291
Office
$482.73
Facility
$133.63
$59.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 43291
Office
$457.89
Facility
$141.22
$84.68 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
Wyoming**
Wyoming · 43291
Office
$504.09
Facility
$139.68
$38.48 lower than El Centro for the office setting.
See how rates vary across the country
43291 · 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.
$444.66
$616.91
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $574.14 | 1 |
| AL | $451.66 | 1 |
| AR | $444.66 | 1 |
| AZ | $492.68 | 1 |
| CA | $542.52–$691.30 | 29 |
| CO | $531.54 | 1 |
| CT | $541.84 | 1 |
| DC | $584.92 | 1 |
| DE | $501.27 | 1 |
| FL | $493.89–$538.64 | 3 |
| GA | $464.82–$515.47 | 2 |
| GU | $558.02 | 1 |
| HI | $558.02 | 1 |
| IA | $466.18 | 1 |
| ID | $468.97 | 1 |
| IL | $477.06–$526.01 | 4 |
| IN | $471.94 | 1 |
| KS | $462.79 | 1 |
| KY | $460.83 | 1 |
| LA | $459.64–$484.13 | 2 |
| MA | $527.61–$587.99 | 2 |
| MD | $511.65–$584.92 | 3 |
| ME | $470.47–$499.34 | 2 |
| MI | $472.71–$499.37 | 2 |
| MN | $511.40 | 1 |
| MO | $450.47–$487.25 | 3 |
| MS | $447.71 | 1 |
| MT | $506.67 | 1 |
| NC | $475.91 | 1 |
| ND | $500.74 | 1 |
| NE | $469.24 | 1 |
| NH | $522.06 | 1 |
| NJ | $548.62–$578.00 | 2 |
| NM | $475.05 | 1 |
| NV | $505.42 | 1 |
| NY | $483.44–$597.75 | 5 |
| OH | $471.49 | 1 |
| OK | $461.07 | 1 |
| OR | $502.09–$550.59 | 2 |
| PA | $472.89–$526.89 | 2 |
| PR | $511.00 | 1 |
| RI | $520.72 | 1 |
| SC | $474.37 | 1 |
| SD | $500.04 | 1 |
| TN | $465.15 | 1 |
| TX | $469.49–$529.25 | 8 |
| UT | $481.34 | 1 |
| VA | $496.85–$584.92 | 2 |
| VI | $511.00 | 1 |
| VT | $497.69 | 1 |
| WA | $526.97–$601.46 | 2 |
| WI | $482.73 | 1 |
| WV | $457.89 | 1 |
| WY | $504.09 | 1 |
Where does this rate apply?
El Centro is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 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 43291 in El Centro, the physician’s office rate is $542.57 and the facility-setting rate is $143.18: a difference of $399.39.
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.
Use this rate
What is a percentage of Medicare worth?
Turn a percentage into dollars for 43291 in El Centro. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$596.83
$542.57 × 110% = $596.83
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.
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 43291 in El Centro.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
5,216
- Code
- 43291
- Physician work
- 2.73
- Practice expense
- 12.14
- Malpractice
- 0.30
GPCI2026.csv
10
- Locality
- El Centro
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.541
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.73 | × 1.017 | 2.7764 |
| Practice expense | 12.14 | × 1.096 | 13.3054 |
| Malpractice | 0.30 | × 0.541 | 0.1623 |
| Total RVUs | 16.2441 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office / nonfacility rate, El Centro$542.57
Open 43291 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Office / nonfacility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 2.73 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 12.14 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.3 | 0.541 |
(2.73 × 1.017 + 12.14 × 1.096 + 0.3 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $542.57
Facility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 2.73 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 1.23 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.3 | 0.541 |
(2.73 × 1.017 + 1.23 × 1.096 + 0.3 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $143.18
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
43291 · Office / nonfacility
$542.57
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $80.09 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $462.48 to $542.57 (17.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$462.48changed to$542.57
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.80 changed to 2.73
- Practice expense RVU 10.28 changed to 12.14
- Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.30
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
Earliest loaded release: $462.48
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
43291 billing questions
How does removal differ from code 43290?
Code 43291 represents endoscopic removal of an intragastric balloon. Code 43290 represents endoscopic placement; select based on the service actually performed.
Can a diagnostic EGD be reported instead when the balloon is removed?
Use 43291 when the documented service includes balloon extraction. A diagnostic examination without removal is a different service; do not substitute it for documented removal.
Is modifier 50 appropriate?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.
How are related endoscopies handled at the same session?
CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the 0-day global period.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be billed?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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.
