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CPT code 12020: Wound dehiscence, simple closure2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Use this code when a separated superficial surgical wound is treated with simple closure, such as reapproximating the skin of an incision.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $361.30 for 12020 in the office and $198.80 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$361.30Office (non-facility)
$198.80Hospital or facility
+14.1%vs the national office rate ($316.64)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 12020 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 12020 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 12020 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 12020 covers

This service treats a superficial surgical wound that has separated after the original closure. A physician or other qualified clinician managing the wound may cleanse and assess the site, then reapproximate the separated edges with a simple closure. Typical cases involve separation limited to the skin or superficial tissue of an incision; a deeper disruption is not the service described by this code. The code is for treating dehiscence, not for closing a new traumatic laceration.

Report the service when the record identifies the prior surgical wound, documents the separation and its superficial extent, and supports simple closure. Packing distinguishes the related 12021 service. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during those 10 days are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Washington, DC area compares for 12020

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 12020 runs from $279.30 in Arkansas to $414.75 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $361.30. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

12020 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$361.30
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$354.80−$6.50
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$347.43−$13.87
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$336.92−$24.38
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$365.52+$4.22
  6. Alaska · Alaska$367.62+$6.32
  7. Alabama · Alabama$283.48−$77.82

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

12020 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$279.30$160.80
ArizonaArizona$307.89$174.22
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$333.36$182.17
Chico, CACalifornia$332.13$180.95
El Centro, CACalifornia$332.21$181.02
Fresno, CACalifornia$332.13$180.95
Hanford, CACalifornia$332.13$180.95
Madera, CACalifornia$332.13$180.95

12020 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.

$279.30

$373.44

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

View every state and territory as a table
12020 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$367.621
AL$283.481
AR$279.301
AZ$307.891
CA$332.13–$414.7529
CO$328.331
CT$337.981
DC$361.301
DE$313.041
FL$314.39–$347.433
GA$296.13–$323.232
GU$340.111
HI$340.111
IA$289.671
ID$291.841
IL$305.98–$336.924
IN$293.531
KS$288.831
KY$291.511
LA$291.26–$305.882
MA$326.53–$360.422
MD$318.92–$361.303
ME$293.98–$309.402
MI$299.75–$318.952
MN$312.781
MO$286.54–$306.333
MS$282.951
MT$316.611
NC$297.021
ND$308.111
NE$291.121
NH$323.681
NJ$341.33–$357.562
NM$301.651
NV$314.461
NY$301.60–$375.225
OH$298.011
OK$290.391
OR$311.51–$338.272
PA$298.18–$329.812
PR$318.791
RI$323.851
SC$298.111
SD$307.101
TN$290.391
TX$296.23–$327.678
UT$302.251
VA$308.76–$361.302
VI$318.791
VT$307.391
WA$325.75–$367.262
WI$297.651
WV$294.611
WY$312.911

See 12020 in every payment locality

How the 12020 rate is calculated

Each of 12020’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 · 12020

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.60

2.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.45

6.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.43

0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.4800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$316.64

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,410

Code
12020
Physician work
2.60
Practice expense
6.45
Malpractice
0.43

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 12020 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.60× 1.0542.7404
Practice expense6.45× 1.1787.5981
Malpractice0.43× 1.1130.4786
Total RVUs10.8171
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$361.30

Office: (2.6 × 1.054 + 6.45 × 1.178 + 0.43 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $361.30

Facility: (2.6 × 1.054 + 2.32 × 1.178 + 0.43 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $198.80

Open 12020 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 12020

12020 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 12020

Wound dehiscence, simple closure

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 · 12020

Wound dehiscence, simple closure

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

12020 without 51 · national office

$316.64

Wound dehiscence, simple closure

12020-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$158.32

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 12020

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

Codes related to 12020
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
12021Wound dehiscence care, with packingRelated superficial wound dehiscence treatment when packing is used.$210.43
Used instead
13160Wound closure, extensive or complicatedFor secondary closure of a surgical wound when the closure is extensive or complicated.No office rate
12001Simple wound repair, 2.5 cm or lessSimple repair of a new laceration in its applicable site and length range.$130.38
12031Wound repair, scalp, trunk, or extremityIntermediate repair of a new wound in its applicable site and length range.$297.54

How 12020 has changed in Washington, DC area

12020 · Office / nonfacility

$361.30

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $27.05 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $334.25 to $361.30 (8.1%).

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

    $334.25changed to$361.30

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.67 changed to 2.60
    • Practice expense RVU 5.88 changed to 6.45
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $345.96changed to$334.25

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.94 changed to 5.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $340.32changed to$345.96

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $357.44changed to$340.32

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.93 changed to 5.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.42
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $368.11changed to$357.44

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.90 changed to 5.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $368.61changed to$368.11

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.82 changed to 5.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.41

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $354.89changed to$368.61

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.31 changed to 5.82
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $340.23changed to$354.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.09 changed to 5.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $332.46changed to$340.23

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.93 changed to 5.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.41

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $330.16changed to$332.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.88 changed to 4.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $341.83changed to$330.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.01 changed to 4.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.55 changed to 0.41
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $330.56changed to$341.83

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.87 changed to 5.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.55

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $328.92changed to$330.56

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $332.13changed to$328.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.98 changed to 4.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.41
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $330.73changed to$332.13

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.38 changed to 4.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $330.73

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$361.30$198.80RVU26D
2026-07-01$361.30$198.80RVU26C
2026-04-01$361.30$198.80RVU26B
2026-01-01$361.30$198.80RVU26A
2025-10-01$334.25$208.55RVU25D
2025-07-01$334.25$208.55RVU25C
2025-04-01$334.25$208.55RVU25B
2025-01-01$334.25$208.55RVU25A
2024-10-01$345.96$212.25RVU24D
2024-07-01$345.96$212.25RVU24C
2024-04-01$345.96$212.25RVU24B
2024-03-09$345.96$212.25RVU24AR
2024-01-01$340.32$208.78RVU24A
2023-10-01$357.44$217.15RVU23D
2023-07-01$357.44$217.15RVU23C
2023-04-01$357.44$217.15RVU23B
2023-01-01$357.44$217.15RVU23A
2022-10-01$368.11$220.11RVU22D
2022-07-01$368.11$220.11RVU22C
2022-04-01$368.11$220.11RVU22B
2022-01-01$368.11$220.11RVU22A
2021-10-01$368.61$222.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$368.61$222.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$368.61$222.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$368.61$222.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$354.89$223.57RVU20D
2020-07-01$354.89$223.57RVU20C
2020-04-01$354.89$223.57RVU20B
2020-01-01$354.89$223.57RVU20A
2019-10-01$340.23$220.37RVU19D
2019-07-01$340.23$220.37RVU19C
2019-04-01$340.23$220.37RVU19B
2019-01-01$340.23$220.37RVU19A
2018-10-01$332.46$220.11RVU18D
2018-07-01$332.46$220.11RVU18C
2018-04-01$332.46$220.11RVU18B
2018-01-01$332.46$220.11RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$330.16$219.89RVU17D
2017-07-01$330.16$219.89RVU17C
2017-04-01$330.16$219.89RVU17B
2017-01-01$330.16$219.89RVU17A
2016-10-01$341.83$227.93RVU16D
2016-07-01$341.83$227.93RVU16C
2016-04-01$341.83$227.93RVU16B
2016-01-01$341.83$227.93RVU16A
2015-10-01$330.56$220.58RVU15D
2015-07-01$330.56$220.58RVU15C
2015-04-01$328.92$219.48RVU15B
2015-01-01$328.92$219.48RVU15A
2014-10-01$332.13$219.32RVU14D
2014-07-01$332.13$219.32RVU14C
2014-04-01$332.13$219.32RVU14B
2014-01-01$332.13$219.32RVU14A
2013-10-01$330.73$214.97RVU13D
2013-07-01$330.73$214.97RVU13C
2013-04-01$330.73$214.97RVU13B
2013-01-01$330.73$214.97RVU13AR

Price 12020 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

12020 billing questions

When should 12020 be selected instead of 12021?

Use 12020 for treatment of superficial wound dehiscence with simple closure. When packing is used, the related code is 12021.

Can 12020 be used for a new laceration?

No. It addresses separation of a previously closed superficial surgical wound; a new laceration is selected from the repair codes according to its site and other coding criteria.

What documentation supports reporting 12020?

Document the prior surgical wound, the dehiscence and its superficial extent, and the simple closure performed. The record should make clear that this was treatment of wound separation rather than repair of a new injury.

Are related postoperative visits separately payable during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be reported?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service.

How are other procedures in the same session handled?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures performed in the same session are paid at 50%.

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 12020PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,410 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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