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CPT code 20525: Foreign body removal, deep or complicated2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports operative removal of a foreign object embedded deeply in muscle or tendon when retrieval requires more than a simple extraction.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $569.75 for 20525 in the office and $258.92 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$569.75Office (non-facility)
$258.92Hospital or facility
+14.6%vs the national office rate ($497.01)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20525 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 20525 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 20525 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 20525 covers

This service covers surgical retrieval of an object embedded in muscle or tendon, such as a deeply lodged splinter or fragment. A physician makes the necessary exposure and dissection to locate and remove it. The procedure may be performed in an office procedure room, emergency setting, or operating room, depending on the object’s location and the difficulty of access.

Choose this code when the object is deep in muscle or tendon, or its removal is complicated; document the anatomic site, depth, and work needed to retrieve it. Use 20520 for a simple removal from muscle or tendon, and consider the subcutaneous foreign-body codes when the object remains in that tissue layer. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days. For multiple procedures 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, 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 20525

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20525 runs from $435.59 in Arkansas to $658.45 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $569.75. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20525 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$569.75
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$560.15−$9.60
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$545.46−$24.29
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$528.16−$41.59
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$575.57+$5.82
  6. Alaska · Alaska$568.11−$1.64
  7. Alabama · Alabama$442.47−$127.28

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

Every other payment area

20525 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$435.59$208.93
ArizonaArizona$482.68$226.99
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$525.11$235.91
Chico, CACalifornia$523.27$234.07
El Centro, CACalifornia$523.38$234.18
Fresno, CACalifornia$523.27$234.07
Hanford, CACalifornia$523.27$234.07
Madera, CACalifornia$523.27$234.07

20525 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.

$435.59

$590.86

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

View every state and territory as a table
20525 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$568.111
AL$442.471
AR$435.591
AZ$482.681
CA$523.27–$658.4529
CO$516.581
CT$531.641
DC$569.751
DE$491.041
FL$492.27–$545.463
GA$462.39–$507.542
GU$537.011
HI$537.011
IA$453.141
ID$456.611
IL$478.12–$528.164
IN$459.411
KS$451.541
KY$455.201
LA$454.71–$478.782
MA$513.44–$569.092
MD$500.67–$569.753
ME$459.89–$485.632
MI$468.55–$499.542
MN$491.921
MO$446.79–$479.783
MS$441.251
MT$496.961
NC$464.951
ND$483.911
NE$455.591
NH$509.001
NJ$536.85–$563.322
NM$471.581
NV$493.681
NY$472.47–$591.265
OH$465.891
OK$453.601
OR$489.02–$533.142
PA$466.30–$518.082
PR$500.631
RI$508.691
SC$466.361
SD$482.371
TN$454.061
TX$463.06–$515.598
UT$473.171
VA$484.41–$569.752
VI$500.631
VT$482.521
WA$512.30–$580.392
WI$466.641
WV$459.381
WY$491.271

See 20525 in every payment locality

How the 20525 rate is calculated

Each of 20525’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 · 20525

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.45

3.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.77

10.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.66

0.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

14.8800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$497.01

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

1,756

Code
20525
Physician work
3.45
Practice expense
10.77
Malpractice
0.66

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 20525 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.45× 1.0543.6363
Practice expense10.77× 1.17812.6871
Malpractice0.66× 1.1130.7346
Total RVUs17.0579
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$569.75

Office: (3.45 × 1.054 + 10.77 × 1.178 + 0.66 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $569.75

Facility: (3.45 × 1.054 + 2.87 × 1.178 + 0.66 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $258.92

Open 20525 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20525

20525 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 20525

Foreign body removal, deep or complicated

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 · 20525

Foreign body removal, deep or complicated

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

20525 without 51 · national office

$497.01

Foreign body removal, deep or complicated

20525-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$248.51

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 20525

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

Codes related to 20525
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
20520Foreign body removal, muscle or tendon, simpleSimple removal from muscle or tendon; 20525 represents deep or complicated retrieval.$262.45
Used instead
10120Foreign body removal, simple subcutaneous extractionFor simple foreign-body removal when the object is in subcutaneous tissue.$180.09
10121Foreign body removal, complicated subcutaneousFor complicated foreign-body removal when the object is in subcutaneous tissue.$312.33

How 20525 has changed in Washington, DC area

20525 · Office / nonfacility

$569.75

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $46.69 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $523.06 to $569.75 (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

    $523.06changed to$569.75

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.54 changed to 3.45
    • Practice expense RVU 9.79 changed to 10.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
    • 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

    $537.08changed to$523.06

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.75 changed to 9.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $528.32changed to$537.08

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $557.78changed to$528.32

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.82 changed to 9.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
    • 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

    $578.24changed to$557.78

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.83 changed to 9.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • 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

    $593.37changed to$578.24

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.08 changed to 9.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $578.57changed to$593.37

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 9.44 changed to 10.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.62 changed to 0.63
    • 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

    $572.75changed to$578.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 9.47 changed to 9.44
    • 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

    $574.73changed to$572.75

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 9.53 changed to 9.47

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $570.15changed to$574.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 9.43 changed to 9.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.62
    • 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

    $571.14changed to$570.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 9.46 changed to 9.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.64
    • 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

    $575.40changed to$571.14

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 9.50 changed to 9.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $572.53changed to$575.40

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $562.52changed to$572.53

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.36 changed to 9.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.61 changed to 0.66
    • 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

    $578.52changed to$562.52

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 10.49 changed to 9.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.61
    • 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: $578.52

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$569.75$258.92RVU26D
2026-07-01$569.75$258.92RVU26C
2026-04-01$569.75$258.92RVU26B
2026-01-01$569.75$258.92RVU26A
2025-10-01$523.06$275.53RVU25D
2025-07-01$523.06$275.53RVU25C
2025-04-01$523.06$275.53RVU25B
2025-01-01$523.06$275.53RVU25A
2024-10-01$537.08$279.17RVU24D
2024-07-01$537.08$279.17RVU24C
2024-04-01$537.08$279.17RVU24B
2024-03-09$537.08$279.17RVU24AR
2024-01-01$528.32$274.61RVU24A
2023-10-01$557.78$285.44RVU23D
2023-07-01$557.78$285.44RVU23C
2023-04-01$557.78$285.44RVU23B
2023-01-01$557.78$285.44RVU23A
2022-10-01$578.24$291.23RVU22D
2022-07-01$578.24$291.23RVU22C
2022-04-01$578.24$291.23RVU22B
2022-01-01$578.24$291.23RVU22A
2021-10-01$593.37$291.90RVU21D
2021-07-01$593.37$291.90RVU21C
2021-04-01$593.37$291.90RVU21B
2021-01-01$593.37$291.90RVU21A
2020-10-01$578.57$292.58RVU20D
2020-07-01$578.57$292.58RVU20C
2020-04-01$578.57$292.58RVU20B
2020-01-01$578.57$292.58RVU20A
2019-10-01$572.75$289.61RVU19D
2019-07-01$572.75$289.61RVU19C
2019-04-01$572.75$289.61RVU19B
2019-01-01$572.75$289.61RVU19A
2018-10-01$574.73$289.72RVU18D
2018-07-01$574.73$289.72RVU18C
2018-04-01$574.73$289.72RVU18B
2018-01-01$574.73$289.72RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$570.15$289.48RVU17D
2017-07-01$570.15$289.48RVU17C
2017-04-01$570.15$289.48RVU17B
2017-01-01$570.15$289.48RVU17A
2016-10-01$571.14$290.71RVU16D
2016-07-01$571.14$290.71RVU16C
2016-04-01$571.14$290.71RVU16B
2016-01-01$571.14$290.71RVU16A
2015-10-01$575.40$293.08RVU15D
2015-07-01$575.40$293.08RVU15C
2015-04-01$572.53$291.62RVU15B
2015-01-01$572.53$291.62RVU15A
2014-10-01$562.52$286.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$562.52$286.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$562.52$286.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$562.52$286.08RVU14A
2013-10-01$578.52$283.01RVU13D
2013-07-01$578.52$283.01RVU13C
2013-04-01$578.52$283.01RVU13B
2013-01-01$578.52$283.01RVU13AR

Price 20525 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

20525 billing questions

How do I distinguish 20525 from 20520?

Use 20525 for a deep or complicated removal from muscle or tendon. Use 20520 when removal from those tissues is simple.

When should a subcutaneous foreign-body code be considered instead?

Consider 10120 or 10121 when the object is in subcutaneous tissue rather than embedded in muscle or tendon. The documented tissue layer and complexity guide code selection.

Are related postoperative visits separately reported?

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

Can modifier 50 be used for removal on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

Can an assistant, co-surgeon, or surgical team be billed?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What documentation supports reporting 20525?

Document the foreign body's location in muscle or tendon, its depth, and why retrieval was deep or complicated rather than simple.

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 20525PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,756 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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