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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

68840 in Modesto

Office / nonfacility

$142.13

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$109.55

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.

Ophthalmology procedure

About 68840: Lacrimal canaliculus probing

Probing the lacrimal canaliculi, with or without irrigation, evaluates or treats a blockage in the small tear-drainage channels near the eyelid.

An ophthalmologist, often an oculoplastic surgeon, passes a probe through the lacrimal punctum into a canaliculus to assess or relieve an obstruction. Irrigation may be performed as part of the service. The procedure is used for problems such as tearing associated with suspected canalicular narrowing or blockage, and may be performed in an office procedure room or an operating room depending on the patient and clinical circumstances.

Report 68840 when the treated structure is a lacrimal canaliculus, rather than the nasolacrimal duct. Document the affected side, the clinical indication, and the probing performed; irrigation does not require a separate code. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

CMS billing rules for 68840

Global period
Minor procedure with a 10-day global period: related postoperative visits for 10 days are 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 RVU1.27 · 32%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU2.66 · 66%
  • Malpractice RVU0.09 · 2%

30K

Medicare services in 2024 · #975 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.

68840 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Modesto, from the same CMS release.

68801

Punctum dilation

Punctal opening, with or without irrigation

$100.55

Use 68801 for dilation of the lacrimal punctum. Use 68840 when the procedure probes the canaliculus beyond the punctal opening.

68810

Tear duct probing

Simple probing

$169.88

Code 68810 addresses probing of the nasolacrimal duct; 68840 addresses probing of the lacrimal canaliculi.

68811

Tear duct probing

General anesthesia

No office rate

Code 68811 is for nasolacrimal duct probing requiring general anesthesia. It is not the canalicular probing service reported with 68840.

68815

Duct probing

With tube or stent

$398.04

Code 68815 includes insertion of a tube or stent during nasolacrimal duct probing. Code 68840 describes canalicular probing without that duct-stenting service.

The same code, a different location

How does Modesto compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 68840 is $142.43—$0.30 higher than the $142.13 rate in Modesto. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

68840 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Modesto · This locality

    $142.13

  2. Bakersfield

    $142.43

    $0.30 higher than Modesto

  3. Chico

    $142.13

    The same base rate than Modesto

  4. El Centro

    $142.14

    $0.01 higher than Modesto

  5. Fresno

    $142.13

    The same base rate than Modesto

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $142.13

    The same base rate than Modesto

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

    $151.26

    $9.13 higher than Modesto

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, 68840 ranges from $120.29 in Arkansas to $176.81 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

  • Madera

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 68840

    Office

    $163.72

    Facility

    $124.54

    $21.59 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 68840

    Office

    $150.50

    Facility

    $115.36

    $8.37 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 68840

    Office

    $143.12

    Facility

    $110.54

    $0.99 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 68840

    Office

    $148.89

    Facility

    $114.31

    $6.76 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 68840

    Office

    $148.32

    Facility

    $113.87

    $6.19 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 68840

    Office

    $151.58

    Facility

    $116.03

    $9.45 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 68840

    Office

    $173.10

    Facility

    $131.19

    $30.97 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 68840

    Office

    $173.00

    Facility

    $131.09

    $30.87 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 68840

    Office

    $176.81

    Facility

    $133.95

    $34.68 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 68840

    Office

    $176.40

    Facility

    $133.53

    $34.27 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 68840

    Office

    $145.95

    Facility

    $112.09

    $3.82 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 68840

    Office

    $152.87

    Facility

    $116.75

    $10.74 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 68840

    Office

    $148.81

    Facility

    $114.15

    $6.68 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 68840

    Office

    $154.41

    Facility

    $117.90

    $12.28 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 68840

    Office

    $163.57

    Facility

    $124.39

    $21.44 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 68840

    Office

    $142.13

    Facility

    $109.55

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 68840

    Office

    $152.72

    Facility

    $117.70

    $10.59 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 68840

    Office

    $142.51

    Facility

    $111.57

    $0.38 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 68840

    Office

    $138.91

    Facility

    $109.03

    $3.22 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 68840

    Office

    $153.14

    Facility

    $118.60

    $11.01 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 68840

    Office

    $159.91

    Facility

    $128.25

    $17.78 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 68840

    Office

    $121.86

    Facility

    $95.85

    $20.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 68840

    Office

    $120.29

    Facility

    $94.75

    $21.84 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 68840

    Office

    $131.08

    Facility

    $102.28

    $11.05 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 68840

    Office

    $139.81

    Facility

    $108.18

    $2.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 68840

    Office

    $142.59

    Facility

    $110.58

    $0.46 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 68840

    Office

    $133.11

    Facility

    $103.74

    $9.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 68840

    Office

    $137.86

    Facility

    $107.74

    $4.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 68840

    Office

    $131.87

    Facility

    $103.46

    $10.26 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 68840

    Office

    $136.42

    Facility

    $106.22

    $5.71 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 68840

    Office

    $125.25

    Facility

    $98.74

    $16.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 68840

    Office

    $145.18

    Facility

    $111.38

    $3.05 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 68840

    Office

    $124.91

    Facility

    $97.71

    $17.22 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 68840

    Office

    $125.58

    Facility

    $98.23

    $16.55 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 68840

    Office

    $130.21

    Facility

    $102.86

    $11.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 68840

    Office

    $128.23

    Facility

    $101.09

    $13.90 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 68840

    Office

    $139.29

    Facility

    $108.76

    $2.84 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 68840

    Office

    $126.24

    Facility

    $98.68

    $15.89 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 68840

    Office

    $124.25

    Facility

    $97.38

    $17.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 68840

    Office

    $124.15

    Facility

    $97.73

    $17.98 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 68840

    Office

    $129.44

    Facility

    $101.47

    $12.69 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 68840

    Office

    $123.93

    Facility

    $97.62

    $18.20 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 68840

    Office

    $152.92

    Facility

    $117.42

    $10.79 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 68840

    Office

    $139.05

    Facility

    $107.75

    $3.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 68840

    Office

    $142.15

    Facility

    $110.25

    $0.02 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 68840

    Office

    $135.52

    Facility

    $105.43

    $6.61 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 68840

    Office

    $126.03

    Facility

    $98.68

    $16.10 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 68840

    Office

    $132.36

    Facility

    $102.90

    $9.77 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 68840

    Office

    $133.22

    Facility

    $104.54

    $8.91 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 68840

    Office

    $126.93

    Facility

    $99.79

    $15.20 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 68840

    Office

    $134.73

    Facility

    $104.14

    $7.40 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 68840

    Office

    $128.78

    Facility

    $100.87

    $13.35 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 68840

    Office

    $130.01

    Facility

    $101.71

    $12.12 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 68840

    Office

    $121.93

    Facility

    $96.31

    $20.20 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 68840

    Office

    $121.14

    Facility

    $95.54

    $20.99 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 68840

    Office

    $134.27

    Facility

    $104.54

    $7.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 68840

    Office

    $127.23

    Facility

    $99.50

    $14.90 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 68840

    Office

    $132.49

    Facility

    $102.76

    $9.64 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 68840

    Office

    $125.56

    Facility

    $98.12

    $16.57 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 68840

    Office

    $137.54

    Facility

    $106.59

    $4.59 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 68840

    Office

    $151.36

    Facility

    $116.88

    $9.23 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 68840

    Office

    $144.43

    Facility

    $111.97

    $2.30 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 68840

    Office

    $127.50

    Facility

    $100.24

    $14.63 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 68840

    Office

    $133.86

    Facility

    $104.10

    $8.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 68840

    Office

    $156.35

    Facility

    $121.01

    $14.22 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 68840

    Office

    $145.25

    Facility

    $112.70

    $3.12 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 68840

    Office

    $154.49

    Facility

    $119.35

    $12.36 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 68840

    Office

    $128.94

    Facility

    $100.70

    $13.19 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 68840

    Office

    $126.57

    Facility

    $99.43

    $15.56 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 68840

    Office

    $124.09

    Facility

    $97.55

    $18.04 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 68840

    Office

    $144.04

    Facility

    $111.02

    $1.91 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 68840

    Office

    $133.02

    Facility

    $103.42

    $9.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 68840

    Office

    $139.26

    Facility

    $108.31

    $2.87 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 68840

    Office

    $126.82

    Facility

    $99.53

    $15.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 68840

    Office

    $135.20

    Facility

    $105.15

    $6.93 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 68840

    Office

    $137.68

    Facility

    $106.98

    $4.45 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 68840

    Office

    $127.07

    Facility

    $99.60

    $15.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 68840

    Office

    $132.28

    Facility

    $102.55

    $9.85 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 68840

    Office

    $124.79

    Facility

    $97.77

    $17.34 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $139.17

    Facility

    $107.72

    $2.96 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $126.06

    Facility

    $99.01

    $16.07 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $133.15

    Facility

    $103.69

    $8.98 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $133.87

    Facility

    $104.26

    $8.26 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $133.02

    Facility

    $103.71

    $9.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $133.47

    Facility

    $103.95

    $8.66 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $135.12

    Facility

    $105.60

    $7.01 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 68840

    Office

    $129.45

    Facility

    $101.24

    $12.68 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 68840

    Office

    $128.63

    Facility

    $100.69

    $13.50 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 68840

    Office

    $131.88

    Facility

    $102.66

    $10.25 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 68840

    Office

    $135.20

    Facility

    $105.15

    $6.93 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 68840

    Office

    $131.90

    Facility

    $102.47

    $10.23 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 68840

    Office

    $138.81

    Facility

    $107.51

    $3.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 68840

    Office

    $156.01

    Facility

    $119.54

    $13.88 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 68840

    Office

    $128.46

    Facility

    $99.98

    $13.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 68840

    Office

    $123.93

    Facility

    $98.10

    $18.20 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 68840

    Office

    $133.49

    Facility

    $103.76

    $8.64 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

68840 · 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.

$120.29

$159.91

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$159.911
AL$121.861
AR$120.291
AZ$131.081
CA$142.13–$176.8129
CO$139.811
CT$142.591
DC$152.721
DE$133.111
FL$131.87–$142.513
GA$125.25–$136.422
GU$145.181
HI$145.181
IA$124.911
ID$125.581
IL$128.23–$139.294
IN$126.241
KS$124.251
KY$124.151
LA$123.93–$129.442
MA$139.05–$152.922
MD$135.52–$152.723
ME$126.03–$132.362
MI$126.93–$133.222
MN$134.731
MO$121.93–$130.013
MS$121.141
MT$134.271
NC$127.231
ND$132.491
NE$125.561
NH$137.541
NJ$144.43–$151.362
NM$127.501
NV$133.861
NY$128.94–$156.355
OH$126.571
OK$124.091
OR$133.02–$144.042
PA$126.82–$139.262
PR$135.201
RI$137.681
SC$127.071
SD$132.281
TN$124.791
TX$126.06–$139.178
UT$128.631
VA$131.88–$152.722
VI$135.201
VT$131.901
WA$138.81–$156.012
WI$128.461
WV$123.931
WY$133.491

Explore 68840 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Modesto is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 33 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.

Browse all communities in California →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 68840 in Modesto, the physician’s office rate is $142.13 and the facility-setting rate is $109.55: a difference of $32.58.

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 68840 in Modesto. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$156.34

$142.13 × 110% = $156.34

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 68840 in Modesto.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,576

Code
68840
Physician work
1.27
Practice expense
2.66
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

16

Locality
Modesto
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 68840 in Modesto
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.27× 1.0171.2916
Practice expense2.66× 1.0962.9154
Malpractice0.09× 0.5360.0482
Total RVUs4.2552
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Modesto$142.13

Open 68840 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.271.017
Practice expense2.661.096
Malpractice0.090.536

(1.27 × 1.017 + 2.66 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $142.13

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.271.017
Practice expense1.771.096
Malpractice0.090.536

(1.27 × 1.017 + 1.77 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $109.55

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

68840 · Office / nonfacility

$142.13

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $135.31 to $142.13 (5.0%).

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

    $135.31changed to$142.13

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.30 changed to 1.27
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • 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: $135.31

    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$142.13$109.55RVU26D
2026-07-01$142.13$109.55RVU26C
2026-04-01$142.13$109.55RVU26B
2026-01-01$142.13$109.55RVU26A
2025-10-01$135.31$119.05RVU25D
2025-07-01$135.31$119.05RVU25C
2025-04-01$135.31$119.05RVU25B
2025-01-01$135.31$119.05RVU25A

68840 billing questions

When should 68840 be chosen over 68810?

Use 68840 when probing the lacrimal canaliculi. Code 68810 is for probing the nasolacrimal duct, a different part of the tear-drainage pathway.

Is irrigation separately reported with 68840?

No. Irrigation may be part of the canalicular probing service and is not separately reported as an additional service under this code.

How is bilateral canalicular probing reported?

Report modifier 50 for bilateral treatment. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150% of the single-side amount.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for this code. 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 68840PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,576 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ModestoGPCI2026.csv, line 16 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet