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CPT code 12021: Wound dehiscence care, with packing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Report this service when a superficial surgical wound has separated and the clinician treats the dehiscence by packing the wound rather than simple closure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $191.28 for 12021 in the office and $136.91 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$191.28Office (non-facility)
$136.91Hospital or facility
+3.0%vs the national office rate ($185.71)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 12021 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 12021 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 12021 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 12021 covers

12021 describes treatment of a superficial surgical incision that has separated, when the clinician manages the open area with packing. A surgeon may provide this care after an operation, or a clinician may treat the patient in an office or facility when the wound is assessed and packed. The code concerns treatment of the dehiscence, not repair of a new traumatic laceration. The documented wound should be superficial and the treatment should include packing.

Choose 12021 when packing is used; 12020 is the related option when the superficial dehiscence is treated with simple closure. Document the surgical wound’s location and condition, its superficial nature, and the packing treatment. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgery 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 Colorado compares for 12021

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 12021 runs from $164.40 in Arkansas to $237.40 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $191.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

12021 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$191.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$205.25+$13.97
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$210.43+$19.15
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$207.20+$15.92
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$200.98+$9.70
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$214.44+$23.16
  7. Alaska · Alaska$218.85+$27.57

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

Every other payment area

12021 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$166.77$122.06
ArkansasArkansas$164.40$120.50
ArizonaArizona$180.61$131.09
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$193.44$137.43
Chico, CACalifornia$192.51$136.50
El Centro, CACalifornia$192.56$136.56
Fresno, CACalifornia$192.51$136.50
Hanford, CACalifornia$192.51$136.50

12021 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.

$164.40

$218.85

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

View every state and territory as a table
12021 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$218.851
AL$166.771
AR$164.401
AZ$180.611
CA$192.51–$237.4029
CO$191.281
CT$197.971
DC$210.431
DE$183.541
FL$186.27–$207.203
GA$175.60–$189.922
GU$196.581
HI$196.581
IA$169.441
ID$170.841
IL$182.06–$200.984
IN$171.781
KS$169.371
KY$172.201
LA$172.22–$180.532
MA$190.46–$208.982
MD$186.78–$210.433
ME$172.48–$180.622
MI$177.28–$189.312
MN$181.231
MO$169.80–$180.303
MS$167.091
MT$185.691
NC$174.141
ND$179.161
NE$170.131
NH$188.971
NJ$199.65–$208.452
NM$178.531
NV$183.981
NY$176.77–$220.495
OH$175.951
OK$171.141
OR$181.98–$196.442
PA$175.82–$193.582
PR$186.791
RI$189.421
SC$175.451
SD$178.391
TN$170.301
TX$174.74–$191.148
UT$177.791
VA$180.54–$210.432
VI$186.791
VT$179.131
WA$189.87–$212.472
WI$173.331
WV$175.631
WY$182.841

See 12021 in every payment locality

How the 12021 rate is calculated

Each of 12021’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 · 12021

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.84

1.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.39

3.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.33

0.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.5600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$185.71

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,411

Code
12021
Physician work
1.84
Practice expense
3.39
Malpractice
0.33

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 12021 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.84× 1.0121.8621
Practice expense3.39× 1.0643.6070
Malpractice0.33× 0.7810.2577
Total RVUs5.7268
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$191.28

Office: (1.84 × 1.012 + 3.39 × 1.064 + 0.33 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $191.28

Facility: (1.84 × 1.012 + 1.86 × 1.064 + 0.33 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $136.91

Open 12021 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 12021

12021 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 12021

Wound dehiscence care, with packing

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 · 12021

Wound dehiscence care, with packing

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

12021 without 51 · national office

$185.71

Wound dehiscence care, with packing

12021-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$92.86

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 12021

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

Codes related to 12021
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Same family
12020Wound dehiscence, simple closureTreats superficial wound dehiscence with simple closure rather than packing.$328.33
Used instead
13160Wound closure, extensive or complicatedFor extensive or complicated secondary closure of a surgical wound or dehiscence.No office rate
10180Wound drainage, complex postoperative infectionFor complex incision and drainage of a postoperative wound infection.$298.08

How 12021 has changed in Colorado

12021 · Office / nonfacility

$191.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $15.70 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $175.58 to $191.28 (8.9%).

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

    $175.58changed to$191.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.89 changed to 1.84
    • Practice expense RVU 3.11 changed to 3.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $182.36changed to$175.58

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.15 changed to 3.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $179.39changed to$182.36

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $183.84changed to$179.39

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.13 changed to 3.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $185.30changed to$183.84

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.08 changed to 3.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $182.55changed to$185.30

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 3.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $178.95changed to$182.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.69 changed to 2.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $173.68changed to$178.95

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.56 changed to 2.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $170.18changed to$173.68

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.48 changed to 2.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $167.46changed to$170.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.42 changed to 2.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $172.16changed to$167.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.52 changed to 2.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $169.06changed to$172.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.45 changed to 2.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $168.22changed to$169.06

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $169.24changed to$168.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.52 changed to 2.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $173.25changed to$169.24

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.92 changed to 2.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $173.25

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$191.28$136.91RVU26D
2026-07-01$191.28$136.91RVU26C
2026-04-01$191.28$136.91RVU26B
2026-01-01$191.28$136.91RVU26A
2025-10-01$175.58$139.81RVU25D
2025-07-01$175.58$139.81RVU25C
2025-04-01$175.58$139.81RVU25B
2025-01-01$175.58$139.81RVU25A
2024-10-01$182.36$143.81RVU24D
2024-07-01$182.36$143.81RVU24C
2024-04-01$182.36$143.81RVU24B
2024-03-09$182.36$143.81RVU24AR
2024-01-01$179.39$141.46RVU24A
2023-10-01$183.84$144.34RVU23D
2023-07-01$183.84$144.34RVU23C
2023-04-01$183.84$144.34RVU23B
2023-01-01$183.84$144.34RVU23A
2022-10-01$185.30$144.35RVU22D
2022-07-01$185.30$144.35RVU22C
2022-04-01$185.30$144.35RVU22B
2022-01-01$185.30$144.35RVU22A
2021-10-01$182.55$143.82RVU21D
2021-07-01$182.55$143.82RVU21C
2021-04-01$182.55$143.82RVU21B
2021-01-01$182.55$143.82RVU21A
2020-10-01$178.95$145.77RVU20D
2020-07-01$178.95$145.77RVU20C
2020-04-01$178.95$145.77RVU20B
2020-01-01$178.95$145.77RVU20A
2019-10-01$173.68$145.06RVU19D
2019-07-01$173.68$145.06RVU19C
2019-04-01$173.68$145.06RVU19B
2019-01-01$173.68$145.06RVU19A
2018-10-01$170.18$144.53RVU18D
2018-07-01$170.18$144.53RVU18C
2018-04-01$170.18$144.53RVU18B
2018-01-01$170.18$144.53RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$167.46$143.05RVU17D
2017-07-01$167.46$143.05RVU17C
2017-04-01$167.46$143.05RVU17B
2017-01-01$167.46$143.05RVU17A
2016-10-01$172.16$146.82RVU16D
2016-07-01$172.16$146.82RVU16C
2016-04-01$172.16$146.82RVU16B
2016-01-01$172.16$146.82RVU16A
2015-10-01$169.06$144.72RVU15D
2015-07-01$169.06$144.72RVU15C
2015-04-01$168.22$144.00RVU15B
2015-01-01$168.22$144.00RVU15A
2014-10-01$169.24$144.33RVU14D
2014-07-01$169.24$144.33RVU14C
2014-04-01$169.24$144.33RVU14B
2014-01-01$169.24$144.33RVU14A
2013-10-01$173.25$145.58RVU13D
2013-07-01$173.25$145.58RVU13C
2013-04-01$173.25$145.58RVU13B
2013-01-01$173.25$145.58RVU13AR

Price 12021 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

12021 billing questions

How do I choose between 12021 and 12020?

Use 12021 when the superficial dehiscence is treated with packing. Use 12020 when the treatment is simple closure.

Can I report both 12020 and 12021 for the same dehiscence?

They describe different treatment approaches for superficial wound dehiscence. Select the code that matches the treatment documented for that wound.

What documentation supports 12021?

Record that a surgical wound has separated, that the dehiscence is superficial, and that the clinician treated it with packing. Include the wound location and relevant findings.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during that period.

Which modifiers and multiple-procedure rules should I consider?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgery and team surgery are not permitted.

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 12021PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,411 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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