Billing code 34820: Iliac exposureMedicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports open iliac artery exposure through an abdominal or retroperitoneal incision when needed to deliver an endovascular prosthesis during a qualifying repair.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 34820 in Florida.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 9 sections
What 34820 covers
A vascular surgeon or other qualified surgeon uses an abdominal or retroperitoneal incision to expose an iliac artery so an endovascular prosthesis can be delivered through that access. This is an open access procedure, distinct from gaining access through a groin incision to expose the femoral artery. Code 34820 describes exposure without the conduit creation identified by code 34833.
Report 34820 only as an add-on with a qualifying primary procedure, such as an endovascular aortic repair; it is not a stand-alone service. The operative report should identify the iliac artery exposed, the open approach, and its role in delivering the prosthesis. CMS places the add-on service within the primary procedure’s global period. For bilateral exposure, modifier 50 is paid at 150% under the stated CMS rule.
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.
Where 34820 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | Unavailable | $351.48 |
| Miami | Unavailable | $393.88 |
| Rest Of Florida | Unavailable | $332.72 |
How the 34820 rate is calculated
Each of 34820’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 34820
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 6.83Practice expense 0.54Malpractice 1.74
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 34820
The CMS indicators that decide how 34820 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 34820
Iliac exposure
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 2 | Permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
34820 without 50 · national facility
$304.28
Iliac exposure
34820-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$456.42
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
34820 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
34820 vs 34812 vs 34833: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 34812Femoral exposure
- 34812 describes open femoral artery exposure through a groin approach. Choose 34820 for iliac artery exposure through an abdominal or retroperitoneal incision.
- 34833Iliac access
- Both concern open iliac exposure for endovascular prosthesis delivery. Code 34833 is used when conduit creation is performed; 34820 describes exposure without that feature.
34820 billing questions
When should 34820 be chosen instead of 34812?
Use 34820 for open iliac artery exposure through an abdominal or retroperitoneal incision. Code 34812 describes open femoral artery exposure through a groin approach.
How does 34820 differ from 34833?
Code 34820 describes open iliac exposure for prosthesis delivery without conduit creation. Code 34833 is the related option when a conduit is created.
Can 34820 be billed by itself?
No. CMS identifies it as an add-on code, so it must be reported with a qualifying primary procedure.
How is bilateral iliac exposure reported?
When the procedure is bilateral, report modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral service at 150%.
What should the operative note support?
Document the side and artery exposed, the abdominal or retroperitoneal approach, and that the exposure provided access for endovascular prosthesis delivery.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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