FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 10120: Foreign body removal, simple subcutaneous extraction2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Report 10120 when a clinician makes a straightforward incision to remove a retained foreign object from subcutaneous tissue, such as a splinter.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality34.8K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $148.07 for 10120 in the office and $96.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$148.07Office (non-facility)
$96.65Hospital or facility
−5.9%vs the national office rate ($157.32)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 10120 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 10120 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 10120 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 10120 covers

Code 10120 describes a straightforward incision and extraction of a retained object in the tissue just beneath the skin, such as a splinter that cannot be removed from the surface. Physicians and other qualified practitioners commonly perform the procedure in an office or outpatient setting, after locating the object and preparing the site. The code is for subcutaneous tissue; a foreign body in a deeper structure or a more complex removal may call for another code.

Select 10120 when the documented service supports a simple extraction, rather than the more complicated service represented by 10121. The record should identify the object and site, show its subcutaneous location, and describe the incision and removal. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and 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.

How North Carolina compares for 10120

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 10120 runs from $139.13 in Arkansas to $209.42 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $148.07. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

10120 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$148.07
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$178.04+$29.97
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$180.09+$32.02
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$169.10+$21.03
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$164.22+$16.15
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$180.89+$32.82
  7. Alaska · Alaska$182.43+$34.36

Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

10120 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$141.18$92.95
ArkansasArkansas$139.13$91.79
ArizonaArizona$153.15$99.74
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$167.08$106.68
Chico, CACalifornia$166.66$106.26
El Centro, CACalifornia$166.69$106.28
Fresno, CACalifornia$166.66$106.26
Hanford, CACalifornia$166.66$106.26

10120 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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.

$139.13

$188.04

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

View every state and territory as a table
10120 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$182.431
AL$141.181
AR$139.131
AZ$153.151
CA$166.66–$209.4229
CO$164.001
CT$167.791
DC$180.091
DE$155.691
FL$154.70–$169.103
GA$146.02–$160.182
GU$170.821
HI$170.821
IA$144.901
ID$145.821
IL$150.13–$164.254
IN$146.671
KS$144.161
KY$144.391
LA$144.14–$151.292
MA$162.99–$180.342
MD$158.69–$180.093
ME$146.52–$154.582
MI$148.10–$156.572
MN$157.301
MO$141.62–$151.913
MS$140.411
MT$157.311
NC$148.071
ND$154.541
NE$145.721
NH$161.361
NJ$169.75–$178.202
NM$148.891
NV$156.651
NY$150.28–$185.215
OH$147.531
OK$144.201
OR$155.48–$169.292
PA$147.80–$163.562
PR$158.491
RI$161.291
SC$148.041
SD$154.211
TN$144.881
TX$146.83–$163.418
UT$150.071
VA$154.02–$180.092
VI$158.491
VT$153.881
WA$162.70–$184.082
WI$149.341
WV$144.541
WY$156.101

See 10120 in every payment locality

How the 10120 rate is calculated

Each of 10120’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 · 10120

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.38

3.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.7100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$157.32

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,104

Code
10120
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.38
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 10120 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense3.38× 0.9333.1535
Malpractice0.14× 0.6390.0895
Total RVUs4.4330
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$148.07

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 3.38 × 0.933 + 0.14 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $148.07

Facility: (1.19 × 1 + 1.73 × 0.933 + 0.14 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $96.65

Open 10120 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 10120

10120 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 10120

Foreign body removal, simple subcutaneous extraction

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 10120

Foreign body removal, simple subcutaneous extraction

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

10120 without 51 · national office

$157.32

Foreign body removal, simple subcutaneous extraction

10120-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$78.66

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 10120

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 10120
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
10121Foreign body removal, complicated subcutaneousSibling code for a complicated removal of a subcutaneous foreign body.$259.03
Used instead
20520Foreign body removal, muscle or tendon, simpleFor a simple foreign-body removal in muscle or a tendon sheath.$215.89
28190Foot foreign body removal, subcutaneous foreign bodyFoot-specific code for removal of a subcutaneous foreign body.$225.76

How 10120 has changed in North Carolina

10120 · Office / nonfacility

$148.07

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $10.13 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $137.94 to $148.07 (7.3%).

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

    $137.94changed to$148.07

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 3.18 changed to 3.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $143.19changed to$137.94

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.22 changed to 3.18

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $140.85changed to$143.19

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $144.57changed to$140.85

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.15 changed to 3.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $145.82changed to$144.57

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.12 changed to 3.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $148.25changed to$145.82

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.14 changed to 3.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $146.93changed to$148.25

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.96 changed to 3.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $146.79changed to$146.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $148.64changed to$146.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.02 changed to 2.96

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $146.36changed to$148.64

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.96 changed to 3.02
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $145.43changed to$146.36

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.96
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $146.56changed to$145.43

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.95 changed to 2.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $145.83changed to$146.56

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $143.81changed to$145.83

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.89 changed to 2.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $146.53changed to$143.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.21 changed to 2.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $146.53

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$148.07$96.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$148.07$96.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$148.07$96.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$148.07$96.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$137.94$97.50RVU25D
2025-07-01$137.94$97.50RVU25C
2025-04-01$137.94$97.50RVU25B
2025-01-01$137.94$97.50RVU25A
2024-10-01$143.19$100.03RVU24D
2024-07-01$143.19$100.03RVU24C
2024-04-01$143.19$100.03RVU24B
2024-03-09$143.19$100.03RVU24AR
2024-01-01$140.85$98.40RVU24A
2023-10-01$144.57$100.59RVU23D
2023-07-01$144.57$100.59RVU23C
2023-04-01$144.57$100.59RVU23B
2023-01-01$144.57$100.59RVU23A
2022-10-01$145.82$100.22RVU22D
2022-07-01$145.82$100.22RVU22C
2022-04-01$145.82$100.22RVU22B
2022-01-01$145.82$100.22RVU22A
2021-10-01$148.25$100.97RVU21D
2021-07-01$148.25$100.97RVU21C
2021-04-01$148.25$100.97RVU21B
2021-01-01$148.25$100.97RVU21A
2020-10-01$146.93$100.95RVU20D
2020-07-01$146.93$100.95RVU20C
2020-04-01$146.93$100.95RVU20B
2020-01-01$146.93$100.95RVU20A
2019-10-01$146.79$101.16RVU19D
2019-07-01$146.79$101.16RVU19C
2019-04-01$146.79$101.16RVU19B
2019-01-01$146.79$101.16RVU19A
2018-10-01$148.64$101.38RVU18D
2018-07-01$148.64$101.38RVU18C
2018-04-01$148.64$101.38RVU18B
2018-01-01$148.64$101.38RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$146.36$100.59RVU17D
2017-07-01$146.36$100.59RVU17C
2017-04-01$146.36$100.59RVU17B
2017-01-01$146.36$100.59RVU17A
2016-10-01$145.43$100.47RVU16D
2016-07-01$145.43$100.47RVU16C
2016-04-01$145.43$100.47RVU16B
2016-01-01$145.43$100.47RVU16A
2015-10-01$146.56$101.11RVU15D
2015-07-01$146.56$101.11RVU15C
2015-04-01$145.83$100.61RVU15B
2015-01-01$145.83$100.61RVU15A
2014-10-01$143.81$99.55RVU14D
2014-07-01$143.81$99.55RVU14C
2014-04-01$143.81$99.55RVU14B
2014-01-01$143.81$99.55RVU14A
2013-10-01$146.53$99.54RVU13D
2013-07-01$146.53$99.54RVU13C
2013-04-01$146.53$99.54RVU13B
2013-01-01$146.53$99.54RVU13AR

Price 10120 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

10120 billing questions

How do I choose between 10120 and 10121?

Use 10120 for a straightforward subcutaneous extraction. Use 10121 when the documented removal is complicated.

Does 10120 include related follow-up visits?

Yes. CMS assigns a 10-day global period that includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days.

Can I report modifier 50 for foreign bodies on both sides?

No. The descriptor and anatomy make a bilateral adjustment with modifier 50 inappropriate.

How does CMS reduce payment when other procedures are performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedures are paid at 50%.

Can an assistant, co-surgeon, or surgical team be reported for 10120?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What documentation supports reporting 10120?

Document the foreign body's site and subcutaneous location, along with the incision and straightforward extraction performed.

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
RVUs for 10120PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,104 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 10120 pays in North Carolina?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 10120 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist