CPT code 65779: Amniotic membrane2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Georgia
Reports sutured placement of a single amniotic membrane layer on the ocular surface to support healing of a damaged or persistently defective surface.
Medicare pays $1,024.43–$1,158.33 for 65779 in the office in Georgia, from Rest Of Georgia to Atlanta. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 65779 covers
An ophthalmologist places one amniotic membrane layer over the ocular surface and secures it with sutures. This approach may be used for a persistent corneal epithelial defect or other ocular-surface damage when coverage is needed to support healing. The operative record should establish the ocular surface treated and that the membrane was placed as a single layer and sutured.
Select this code for sutured single-layer placement, not for a self-retaining membrane application or a multi-layer ocular surface reconstruction. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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 65779 pays more and less in Georgia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $1,158.33 | $86.32 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $1,024.43 | $83.25 |
How the 65779 rate is calculated
Each of 65779’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 · 65779
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.71
1.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense32.28
32.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.14
0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
34.1300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,139.97
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 65779
The CMS indicators that decide how 65779 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 65779
Amniotic membrane
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not 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
65779 without 50 · national office
$1,139.97
Amniotic membrane
65779-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,709.96
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).
65779 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 65778Amniotic membrane
- Choose 65779 when the single membrane layer is sutured. Choose 65778 when it is placed without sutures as a self-retaining membrane.
- 65780Amniotic membrane graft
- 65780 describes multi-layer amniotic membrane reconstruction; 65779 is for a single sutured layer.
- 65781Ocular reconstruction
- 65781 involves ocular surface reconstruction with a limbal stem cell allograft, not single-layer amniotic membrane placement.
65779 billing questions
How does 65779 differ from 65778?
65779 is for a single amniotic membrane layer secured with sutures. 65778 is the corresponding placement without sutures, using a self-retaining membrane.
When is 65780 a better fit?
Use 65780 for ocular surface reconstruction involving multiple amniotic membrane layers. A single sutured layer is reported with 65779.
What documentation supports 65779?
Document the ocular surface condition treated, the single-layer membrane placement, and that the membrane was secured with sutures.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document treatment of both eyes.
Can an assistant surgeon be paid?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What is included in the global period?
The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
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
Fee sheets
Put 65779 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.
Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →