CPT 65850
Global 090 ActiveTrabeculotomy ab externo
CPT 65850 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 65850 (Trabeculotomy ab externo) is classified under Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 11.11, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 9.39, and a malpractice RVU of 0.88, a total non-facility RVU of 21.38 and facility RVU of 21.38. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $731.15, though rates vary from $655.63 to $906.84 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 65850, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 65850 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
90-day global period (major surgery: 1 day pre-op + procedure + 90 days post-op)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 65850 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 65850
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 11.11 | 11.11 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 9.39 | 9.39 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.88 | 0.88 |
| Total RVU | 21.38 | 21.38 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 65850
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $771.44 | $771.44 | $736.89 - $879.92 | 29 |
| Florida | $742.98 | $742.98 | $715.1 - $771.91 | 3 |
| Georgia | $706.02 | $706.02 | $685.88 - $726.15 | 2 |
| Illinois | $731.6 | $731.6 | $703.37 - $756.34 | 4 |
| Michigan | $706.96 | $706.96 | $690.62 - $723.3 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $682.49 | $682.49 | $682.49 - $682.49 | 1 |
| New York | $778.53 | $778.53 | $689.7 - $822.33 | 5 |
| Ohio | $687.06 | $687.06 | $687.06 - $687.06 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $713.05 | $713.05 | $686.78 - $739.32 | 2 |
| Texas | $709.2 | $709.2 | $683.8 - $729.69 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 65850
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 65850 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0123T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0699T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Separate procedure definition |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0709T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 65850
What does CPT code 65850 mean? +
CPT code 65850 represents: Trabeculotomy ab externo. It's in the Surgery (Endocrine/Nervous/Eye/Ear) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 65850? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 65850 is $731.15. Rates range from $655.63 to $906.84 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 65850? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 65850? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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