FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 20526: Injection, carpal tunnel treatment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Galveston, TX

Report this service when medication is injected into the carpal tunnel to treat symptoms associated with median nerve compression at the wrist.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality81.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Galveston, TX, Medicare pays $87.09 for 20526 in the office and $48.61 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$87.09Office (non-facility)
$48.61Hospital or facility
−1.2%vs the national office rate ($88.18)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20526 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 20526 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Galveston, TX
  2. What 20526 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 20526 covers

A clinician injects medication, commonly a corticosteroid, into the carpal tunnel to treat symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness associated with median nerve compression. The service is typically performed by a physician or other qualified practitioner in an office or outpatient facility. The injection targets the carpal tunnel; it is not an injection into a tendon sheath or a surgical release of the tunnel.

Report the code for the treated wrist and document the indication, side, and injection performed. For treatment of both wrists, modifier 50 is paid at 150% under the CMS bilateral rule. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 Galveston, TX compares for 20526

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20526 runs from $78.12 in Arkansas to $111.81 in San Benito County, CA. Galveston, TX pays $87.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20526 in Galveston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Galveston, TX · this page$87.09
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$90.60+$3.51
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$83.12−$3.97
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$86.71−$0.38
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$87.44+$0.35
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$87.00−$0.09
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$90.20+$3.11

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

Every other payment area

20526 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$84.99$48.22
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$97.00$51.17
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$99.69$54.05
Miami, FLFlorida$98.98$58.65
Chicago, ILIllinois$96.01$57.07
Manhattan, NYNew York$101.86$56.84
AlaskaAlaska$104.36$63.09
AlabamaAlabama$79.24$45.34

20526 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.

$78.12

$104.36

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

View every state and territory as a table
20526 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$104.361
AL$79.241
AR$78.121
AZ$85.761
CA$91.04–$111.8129
CO$90.621
CT$93.971
DC$99.691
DE$87.141
FL$88.76–$98.983
GA$83.68–$90.242
GU$92.881
HI$92.881
IA$80.351
ID$81.041
IL$86.87–$96.014
IN$81.481
KS$80.391
KY$81.951
LA$81.99–$85.902
MA$90.26–$98.862
MD$88.64–$99.693
ME$81.89–$85.622
MI$84.41–$90.262
MN$85.681
MO$80.89–$85.703
MS$79.501
MT$88.171
NC$82.661
ND$84.811
NE$80.661
NH$89.591
NJ$94.72–$98.782
NM$85.021
NV$87.281
NY$83.90–$104.805
OH$83.721
OK$81.371
OR$86.28–$92.962
PA$83.62–$91.952
PR$88.661
RI$89.861
SC$83.391
SD$84.411
TN$80.841
TX$83.12–$90.608
UT$84.491
VA$85.63–$99.692
VI$88.661
VT$84.861
WA$89.96–$100.432
WI$82.071
WV$83.841
WY$86.701

See 20526 in every payment locality

How the 20526 rate is calculated

Each of 20526’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 · 20526

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.92

0.92 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.55

1.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.17

0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.6400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$88.18

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

The exact Galveston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,757

Code
20526
Physician work
0.92
Practice expense
1.55
Malpractice
0.17

GPCI2026.csv

101

Locality
Galveston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
0.828
Office calculation for 20526 in Galveston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.92× 1.0080.9274
Practice expense1.55× 0.9931.5392
Malpractice0.17× 0.8280.1408
Total RVUs2.6073
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Galveston, TX$87.09

Office: (0.92 × 1.008 + 1.55 × 0.993 + 0.17 × 0.828) × $33.4009 = $87.09

Facility: (0.92 × 1.008 + 0.39 × 0.993 + 0.17 × 0.828) × $33.4009 = $48.61

Open 20526 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20526

The CMS indicators that decide how 20526 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 20526

Injection, carpal tunnel treatment

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

20526 without 50 · national office

$88.18

Injection, carpal tunnel treatment

20526-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$132.27

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 20526

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

Codes related to 20526
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Galveston, TX
Used instead
64721Carpal tunnel release, median nerve at carpal tunnelCarpal tunnel release is a surgical treatment option rather than an injection.$476.24
Often billed with
76942Ultrasound needle guidance, biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localizationMay accompany a separately documented ultrasound-guided needle placement service.$63.79
J3301Triamcinolone injection, per 10 mgMay identify triamcinolone administered during the injection when separately reportable.No office rate

How 20526 has changed in Galveston, TX

20526 · Office / nonfacility

$87.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $80.54 to $87.09 (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

    $80.54changed to$87.09

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.94 changed to 0.92
    • Practice expense RVU 1.40 changed to 1.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.000 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.855 changed to 0.828

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $82.17changed to$80.54

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.37 changed to 1.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $80.83changed to$82.17

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $82.87changed to$80.83

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.703 changed to 0.855

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $83.86changed to$82.87

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.32 changed to 1.34
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.550 changed to 0.703

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $82.39changed to$83.86

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.27 changed to 1.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $81.11changed to$82.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.27
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.026
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.550

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $79.47changed to$81.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.15
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.839 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $79.75changed to$79.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.10

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $79.51changed to$79.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.839

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $79.30changed to$79.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.10
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $79.95changed to$79.30

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $79.55changed to$79.95

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $77.54changed to$79.55

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.08 changed to 1.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.970 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $76.61changed to$77.54

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.996 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.970

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $76.61

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$87.09$48.61RVU26D
2026-07-01$87.09$48.61RVU26C
2026-04-01$87.09$48.61RVU26B
2026-01-01$87.09$48.61RVU26A
2025-10-01$80.54$54.99RVU25D
2025-07-01$80.54$54.99RVU25C
2025-04-01$80.54$54.99RVU25B
2025-01-01$80.54$54.99RVU25A
2024-10-01$82.17$56.21RVU24D
2024-07-01$82.17$56.21RVU24C
2024-04-01$82.17$56.21RVU24B
2024-03-09$82.17$56.21RVU24AR
2024-01-01$80.83$55.29RVU24A
2023-10-01$82.87$56.78RVU23D
2023-07-01$82.87$56.78RVU23C
2023-04-01$82.87$56.78RVU23B
2023-01-01$82.87$56.78RVU23A
2022-10-01$83.86$57.24RVU22D
2022-07-01$83.86$57.24RVU22C
2022-04-01$83.86$57.24RVU22B
2022-01-01$83.86$57.24RVU22A
2021-10-01$82.39$57.33RVU21D
2021-07-01$82.39$57.33RVU21C
2021-04-01$82.39$57.33RVU21B
2021-01-01$82.39$57.33RVU21A
2020-10-01$81.11$59.05RVU20D
2020-07-01$81.11$59.05RVU20C
2020-04-01$81.11$59.05RVU20B
2020-01-01$81.11$59.05RVU20A
2019-10-01$79.47$59.80RVU19D
2019-07-01$79.47$59.80RVU19C
2019-04-01$79.47$59.80RVU19B
2019-01-01$79.47$59.80RVU19A
2018-10-01$79.75$59.73RVU18D
2018-07-01$79.75$59.73RVU18C
2018-04-01$79.75$59.73RVU18B
2018-01-01$79.75$59.73RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$79.51$59.90RVU17D
2017-07-01$79.51$59.90RVU17C
2017-04-01$79.51$59.90RVU17B
2017-01-01$79.51$59.90RVU17A
2016-10-01$79.30$59.71RVU16D
2016-07-01$79.30$59.71RVU16C
2016-04-01$79.30$59.71RVU16B
2016-01-01$79.30$59.71RVU16A
2015-10-01$79.95$60.29RVU15D
2015-07-01$79.95$60.29RVU15C
2015-04-01$79.55$59.99RVU15B
2015-01-01$79.55$59.99RVU15A
2014-10-01$77.54$58.46RVU14D
2014-07-01$77.54$58.46RVU14C
2014-04-01$77.54$58.46RVU14B
2014-01-01$77.54$58.46RVU14A
2013-10-01$76.61$56.95RVU13D
2013-07-01$76.61$56.95RVU13C
2013-04-01$76.61$56.95RVU13B
2013-01-01$76.61$56.95RVU13AR

Price 20526 for an earlier date of service

Where the Galveston, TX rate applies

Galveston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 16 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Galveston
  • Bacliff
  • Bayou Vista
  • Bolivar Peninsula
  • Clear Lake Shores
  • Dickinson
  • 20526 in Friendswood · multiple payment areas
  • Hitchcock

Browse all communities in Texas

20526 billing questions

When should I choose this code instead of 20550?

Use 20526 when the medication is injected into the carpal tunnel. Code 20550 describes an injection into a tendon sheath or ligament, such as for a tendon-related condition.

Can I report this code for injections in both wrists?

Yes. Report the bilateral service with modifier 50; CMS pays it at 150% under the bilateral rule.

Is same-day follow-up care included?

Yes. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

How does the multiple procedure reduction affect this service?

When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and the others at 50%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

Can the medication be reported separately?

The procedure code describes the injection service. The administered drug may be separately reported with an applicable drug code when reporting requirements are met.

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 20526PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,757 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Galveston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 101 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 20526 pays in Galveston, TX?

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 20526 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

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

Join the waitlist