$540.09
Choose 38510 when the documented service is open biopsy or excision of deep cervical node(s). Choose 38542 for exploration of the deep cervical node basin.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
38542 in Wyoming**
Office / nonfacility
Not available in this setting
Base rate per service
Facility setting
$458.07
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.
Lymph node surgery
About 38542: Deep cervical lymph node exploration
Reports operative exploration of deep cervical lymph nodes when a surgeon evaluates the deep neck node basin, rather than performing a needle sample or defined node excision.
A surgeon explores deep cervical lymph nodes in the neck, commonly during an operative evaluation of suspicious cervical adenopathy. The work involves accessing and examining the deep node basin; an otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon, or another surgeon may perform it in a hospital operating room. This is distinct from a needle sample and from a procedure whose documented service is biopsy or excision of a node.
Report the code when the operative note supports exploration of deep cervical nodes, including the approach, anatomic site, findings, and whether tissue was sampled or removed. The service has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons are paid only with supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.
CMS billing rules for 38542
- Global period
- Major surgery with a 90-day global period: the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care 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
- Assistant at surgery may be paid.
- Co-surgeons
- Co-surgeons paid only with supporting documentation.
- Team surgery
- Team surgery not permitted.
Where the value comes from
- Work RVU7.75 · 55%
- Practice expense (office) RVU4.98 · 35%
- Malpractice RVU1.33 · 9%
528
Medicare services in 2024 · #3507 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.
38542 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Wyoming**, from the same CMS release.
No office rate
This code includes deep cervical node biopsy or excision with scalene fat pad excision. Exploration without that documented work is distinct.
No office rate
Code 38724 represents cervical lymphadenectomy, a more extensive dissection. Exploration of deep cervical nodes alone is not a substitute for a documented lymphadenectomy.
The same code, a different location
How does Wyoming** compare?
38542 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
Wyoming** · This locality
Unavailable
No comparable rate is available in this setting.
Unavailable
No comparable rate is available in this setting.
Unavailable
No comparable rate is available in this setting.
Unavailable
No comparable rate is available in this setting.
Unavailable
No comparable rate is available in this setting.
Unavailable
No comparable rate is available in this setting.
Other payment areas listed in Wyoming appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.
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 · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$429.54
No comparable office rate is available.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$424.62
No comparable office rate is available.
Arizona
Arizona · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$458.06
No comparable office rate is available.
Bakersfield
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$473.13
No comparable office rate is available.
Chico
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
El Centro
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.60
No comparable office rate is available.
Fresno
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Hanford-Corcoran
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Madera
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Merced
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Modesto
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Napa
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$516.96
No comparable office rate is available.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$490.39
No comparable office rate is available.
Redding
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of California
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$483.71
No comparable office rate is available.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$485.44
No comparable office rate is available.
Salinas
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$483.48
No comparable office rate is available.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$489.64
No comparable office rate is available.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$538.37
No comparable office rate is available.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$536.86
No comparable office rate is available.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$551.00
No comparable office rate is available.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$544.82
No comparable office rate is available.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$476.53
No comparable office rate is available.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$490.20
No comparable office rate is available.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$483.86
No comparable office rate is available.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$494.69
No comparable office rate is available.
Stockton
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Vallejo
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$514.79
No comparable office rate is available.
Visalia
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Yuba City
California · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.37
No comparable office rate is available.
Colorado
Colorado · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$473.64
No comparable office rate is available.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$496.93
No comparable office rate is available.
Delaware
Delaware · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$464.43
No comparable office rate is available.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$507.67
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$484.64
No comparable office rate is available.
Atlanta
Georgia · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$481.98
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$460.18
No comparable office rate is available.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$473.70
No comparable office rate is available.
Iowa
Iowa · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$428.69
No comparable office rate is available.
Idaho
Idaho · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$432.90
No comparable office rate is available.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$501.35
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$480.16
No comparable office rate is available.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$510.21
No comparable office rate is available.
Indiana
Indiana · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$434.64
No comparable office rate is available.
Kansas
Kansas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$431.61
No comparable office rate is available.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$447.38
No comparable office rate is available.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$465.84
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$448.62
No comparable office rate is available.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$507.61
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$473.56
No comparable office rate is available.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$496.43
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$470.56
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$439.52
No comparable office rate is available.
Southern Maine
Maine · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$451.73
No comparable office rate is available.
Detroit
Michigan · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$494.27
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$460.88
No comparable office rate is available.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$443.17
No comparable office rate is available.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$458.45
No comparable office rate is available.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$461.72
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$445.51
No comparable office rate is available.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$434.90
No comparable office rate is available.
Montana**
Montana · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$469.53
No comparable office rate is available.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$442.44
No comparable office rate is available.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$443.23
No comparable office rate is available.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$429.18
No comparable office rate is available.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$470.88
No comparable office rate is available.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$515.56
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$499.58
No comparable office rate is available.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$464.74
No comparable office rate is available.
Nevada**
Nevada · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$462.36
No comparable office rate is available.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$555.69
No comparable office rate is available.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$506.40
No comparable office rate is available.
Queens
New York · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$536.09
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of New York
New York · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$448.11
No comparable office rate is available.
Ohio
Ohio · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$455.50
No comparable office rate is available.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$441.91
No comparable office rate is available.
Portland
Oregon · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$480.85
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$455.76
No comparable office rate is available.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$489.67
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$453.53
No comparable office rate is available.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$470.78
No comparable office rate is available.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$475.23
No comparable office rate is available.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$450.31
No comparable office rate is available.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$440.12
No comparable office rate is available.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$433.91
No comparable office rate is available.
Austin
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$474.72
No comparable office rate is available.
Beaumont
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$451.49
No comparable office rate is available.
Brazoria
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$460.42
No comparable office rate is available.
Dallas
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$464.97
No comparable office rate is available.
Fort Worth
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$463.89
No comparable office rate is available.
Galveston
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$462.88
No comparable office rate is available.
Houston
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$487.23
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$456.82
No comparable office rate is available.
Utah
Utah · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$455.11
No comparable office rate is available.
Virginia
Virginia · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$453.73
No comparable office rate is available.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$470.78
No comparable office rate is available.
Vermont
Vermont · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$446.01
No comparable office rate is available.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$471.18
No comparable office rate is available.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$512.19
No comparable office rate is available.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$431.89
No comparable office rate is available.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 38542
Office
Unavailable
Facility
$466.97
No comparable office rate is available.
See how rates vary across the country
38542 · 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.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
Where does this rate apply?
Wyoming** is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 205 cities and communities in Wyoming, 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.
Use this rate
What is a percentage of Medicare worth?
Turn a percentage into dollars for 38542 in Wyoming**. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$503.88
$458.07 × 110% = $503.88
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 38542 in Wyoming**.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,748
- Code
- 38542
- Physician work
- 7.75
- Practice expense
- 4.98
- Malpractice
- 1.33
GPCI2026.csv
112
- Locality
- Wyoming**
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.740
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 7.75 | × 1.000 | 7.7500 |
| Practice expense | 4.98 | × 1.000 | 4.9800 |
| Malpractice | 1.33 | × 0.740 | 0.9842 |
| Total RVUs | 13.7142 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, Wyoming**$458.07
Open 38542 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Facility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 7.75 | 1 |
| Practice expense | 4.98 | 1 |
| Malpractice | 1.33 | 0.74 |
(7.75 × 1 + 4.98 × 1 + 1.33 × 0.74) × $33.4009 = $458.07
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
38542 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
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
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 from | Office / nonfacility | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $458.07 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $458.07 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $458.07 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $458.07 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $501.45 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $501.45 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $501.45 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $501.45 | RVU25A |
38542 billing questions
How is this different from 38510?
This code describes exploration of deep cervical nodes. Code 38510 describes open biopsy or excision of deep cervical node(s); report the service documented in the operative note.
When would 38520 be more appropriate?
Code 38520 describes open biopsy or excision of deep cervical node(s) with scalene fat pad excision. Use it when that additional work is documented, rather than for exploration alone.
Can this be reported with a neck dissection?
A comprehensive cervical lymphadenectomy, such as 38724, represents a different and more extensive service. Do not separately report exploration when it is part of the documented dissection.
How is bilateral exploration reported?
For a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50, CMS pays 150%. The operative documentation should support exploration on both sides.
What documentation supports this code?
Document the deep cervical node basin explored, the operative approach, the findings, and any sampling or removal performed. The note should distinguish exploration from a needle procedure or open biopsy/excision.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. The code also has a 90-day global period.
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.
4,74538525,,Biopsy/removal lymph nodes,A,,6.27,5.01,NA,5.01,,1.61,12.89,12.89,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,1,1,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
4,74638530,,Biopsy/removal lymph nodes,A,,8.13,6.04,NA,6.04,,1.72,15.89,15.89,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,1,2,1,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
4,74738531,,Open bx/exc inguinofem nodes,A,,6.57,4.75,NA,4.75,,1.63,12.95,12.95,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,1,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
4,74838542,,Explore deep node(s) neck,A,,7.75,4.98,NA,4.98,,1.33,14.06,14.06,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,1,2,1,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
4,74938550,,Removal neck/armpit lesion,A,,6.93,6.72,NA,6.72,,1.85,15.50,15.50,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
4,75038555,,Removal neck/armpit lesion,A,,15.20,10.18,NA,10.18,,4.06,29.44,29.44,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,0,2,1,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
4,75138562,,Removal pelvic lymph nodes,A,,10.78,7.02,NA,7.02,,2.25,20.05,20.05,0,090,0.11,0.73,0.16,2,2,2,1,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
10902402,WA,99,REST OF WASHINGTON,1.013,1.053,0.761
11011402,WV,16,WEST VIRGINIA,1.000,0.869,1.431
11106302,WI,00,WISCONSIN,1.000,0.958,0.308
11203602,WY,21,WYOMING**,1.000,1.000,0.740
113"MAC Assignments as of November 22, 2023",,,,,,
114,,,,,,
115*Work GPCI reflects a 1.5 floor in Alaska established by the MIPPA.,,,,,,