CPT code 20526: Injection, carpal tunnel treatment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont
Report this service when medication is injected into the carpal tunnel to treat symptoms associated with median nerve compression at the wrist.
In Vermont, Medicare pays $84.86 for 20526 in the office and $46.50 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Vermont 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. Vermont pays $84.86. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Vermont · this page$84.86
- Los Angeles, CA · California$97.00+$12.14
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$99.69+$14.83
- Miami, FL · Florida$98.98+$14.12
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$96.01+$11.15
- Manhattan, NY · New York$101.86+$17.00
- Alaska · Alaska$104.36+$19.50
Other areas in Vermont first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $79.24 | $45.34 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $78.12 | $44.84 |
| ArizonaArizona | $85.76 | $48.21 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $91.51 | $49.05 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $91.06 | $48.60 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $103.78 | $52.72 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $96.32 | $50.52 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $92.87 | $50.40 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $95.09 | $50.03 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $94.73 | $49.82 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $96.65 | $50.31 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $109.25 | $54.62 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $109.06 | $54.43 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $111.81 | $55.94 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $111.02 | $55.15 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $93.26 | $49.13 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $97.32 | $50.24 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $95.00 | $49.82 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $98.27 | $50.69 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $103.51 | $52.44 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $91.04 | $48.57 |
| ColoradoColorado | $90.62 | $49.39 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $93.97 | $52.24 |
| DelawareDelaware | $87.14 | $48.86 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $93.44 | $54.19 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $88.76 | $51.72 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $90.24 | $50.88 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $83.68 | $49.12 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $92.88 | $48.83 |
| IowaIowa | $80.35 | $44.90 |
| IdahoIdaho | $81.04 | $45.40 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $89.79 | $54.15 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $86.87 | $51.50 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $94.17 | $54.38 |
| IndianaIndiana | $81.48 | $45.56 |
| KansasKansas | $80.39 | $45.37 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $81.95 | $47.50 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $85.90 | $49.44 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $81.99 | $47.70 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $98.86 | $52.60 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $90.26 | $49.46 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $93.80 | $52.22 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $88.64 | $49.43 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $81.89 | $46.24 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $85.62 | $47.22 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $90.26 | $52.87 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $84.41 | $49.03 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $85.68 | $45.81 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $84.89 | $48.51 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $85.70 | $48.82 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $80.89 | $47.49 |
| MississippiMississippi | $79.50 | $46.14 |
| MontanaMontana | $88.17 | $49.42 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $82.66 | $46.51 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $84.81 | $46.06 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $80.66 | $44.90 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $89.59 | $49.26 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $98.78 | $53.84 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $94.72 | $52.41 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $85.02 | $49.49 |
| NevadaNevada | $87.28 | $48.50 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $104.80 | $58.73 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $95.67 | $53.25 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $102.08 | $56.28 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $83.90 | $47.10 |
| OhioOhio | $83.72 | $48.35 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $81.37 | $46.77 |
| Portland, OROregon | $92.96 | $49.92 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $86.28 | $47.69 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $91.95 | $51.62 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $83.62 | $48.05 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $88.66 | $49.49 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $89.86 | $49.83 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $83.39 | $47.59 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $84.41 | $45.66 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $80.84 | $45.62 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $90.60 | $49.60 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $83.12 | $47.86 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $86.71 | $48.31 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $87.44 | $48.85 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $87.00 | $48.80 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $87.09 | $48.61 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $90.20 | $51.72 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $84.99 | $48.22 |
| UtahUtah | $84.49 | $48.07 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $85.63 | $47.54 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $88.66 | $49.49 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $89.96 | $49.17 |
| King County, WAWashington | $100.43 | $52.89 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $82.07 | $44.96 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $83.84 | $50.17 |
| WyomingWyoming | $86.70 | $47.96 |
20526 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $104.36 | 1 |
| AL | $79.24 | 1 |
| AR | $78.12 | 1 |
| AZ | $85.76 | 1 |
| CA | $91.04–$111.81 | 29 |
| CO | $90.62 | 1 |
| CT | $93.97 | 1 |
| DC | $99.69 | 1 |
| DE | $87.14 | 1 |
| FL | $88.76–$98.98 | 3 |
| GA | $83.68–$90.24 | 2 |
| GU | $92.88 | 1 |
| HI | $92.88 | 1 |
| IA | $80.35 | 1 |
| ID | $81.04 | 1 |
| IL | $86.87–$96.01 | 4 |
| IN | $81.48 | 1 |
| KS | $80.39 | 1 |
| KY | $81.95 | 1 |
| LA | $81.99–$85.90 | 2 |
| MA | $90.26–$98.86 | 2 |
| MD | $88.64–$99.69 | 3 |
| ME | $81.89–$85.62 | 2 |
| MI | $84.41–$90.26 | 2 |
| MN | $85.68 | 1 |
| MO | $80.89–$85.70 | 3 |
| MS | $79.50 | 1 |
| MT | $88.17 | 1 |
| NC | $82.66 | 1 |
| ND | $84.81 | 1 |
| NE | $80.66 | 1 |
| NH | $89.59 | 1 |
| NJ | $94.72–$98.78 | 2 |
| NM | $85.02 | 1 |
| NV | $87.28 | 1 |
| NY | $83.90–$104.80 | 5 |
| OH | $83.72 | 1 |
| OK | $81.37 | 1 |
| OR | $86.28–$92.96 | 2 |
| PA | $83.62–$91.95 | 2 |
| PR | $88.66 | 1 |
| RI | $89.86 | 1 |
| SC | $83.39 | 1 |
| SD | $84.41 | 1 |
| TN | $80.84 | 1 |
| TX | $83.12–$90.60 | 8 |
| UT | $84.49 | 1 |
| VA | $85.63–$99.69 | 2 |
| VI | $88.66 | 1 |
| VT | $84.86 | 1 |
| WA | $89.96–$100.43 | 2 |
| WI | $82.07 | 1 |
| WV | $83.84 | 1 |
| WY | $86.70 | 1 |
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
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 Vermont 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
105
- Locality
- Vermont
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.990
- Malpractice
- 0.506
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.92 | × 1.000 | 0.9200 |
| Practice expense | 1.55 | × 0.990 | 1.5345 |
| Malpractice | 0.17 | × 0.506 | 0.0860 |
| Total RVUs | 2.5405 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Vermont$84.86
Office: (0.92 × 1 + 1.55 × 0.99 + 0.17 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $84.86
Facility: (0.92 × 1 + 0.39 × 0.99 + 0.17 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $46.50
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician 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).
How 20526 has changed in Vermont
20526 · Office / nonfacility
$84.86
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $6.81 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $78.05 to $84.86 (8.7%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$78.05changed to$84.86
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$79.51changed to$78.05
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$78.21changed to$79.51
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$80.44changed to$78.21
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
- Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$81.80changed to$80.44
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.32 changed to 1.34
- Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
- Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$80.33changed to$81.80
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$79.12changed to$80.33
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.27
- Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
- Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$77.55changed to$79.12
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.15
- Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
- Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$77.83changed to$77.55
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.10
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$77.28changed to$77.83
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.11
- Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
- Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$76.75changed to$77.28
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.10
- Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
- Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$77.38changed to$76.75
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.09
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$77.00changed to$77.38
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$75.47changed to$77.00
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
No ratechanged to$75.47
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $84.86 | $46.50 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $84.86 | $46.50 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $84.86 | $46.50 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $84.86 | $46.50 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $78.05 | $52.68 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $78.05 | $52.68 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $78.05 | $52.68 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $78.05 | $52.68 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $79.51 | $53.72 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $79.51 | $53.72 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $79.51 | $53.72 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $79.51 | $53.72 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $78.21 | $52.85 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $80.44 | $54.76 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $80.44 | $54.76 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $80.44 | $54.76 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $80.44 | $54.76 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $81.80 | $55.82 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $81.80 | $55.82 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $81.80 | $55.82 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $81.80 | $55.82 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $80.33 | $55.89 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $80.33 | $55.89 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $80.33 | $55.89 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $80.33 | $55.89 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $79.12 | $57.29 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $79.12 | $57.29 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $79.12 | $57.29 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $79.12 | $57.29 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $77.55 | $57.79 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $77.55 | $57.79 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $77.55 | $57.79 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $77.55 | $57.79 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $77.83 | $57.73 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $77.83 | $57.73 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $77.83 | $57.73 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $77.83 | $57.73 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $77.28 | $57.70 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $77.28 | $57.70 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $77.28 | $57.70 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $77.28 | $57.70 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $76.75 | $57.33 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $76.75 | $57.33 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $76.75 | $57.33 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $76.75 | $57.33 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $77.38 | $57.90 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $77.38 | $57.90 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $77.00 | $57.61 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $77.00 | $57.61 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $75.47 | $56.37 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $75.47 | $56.37 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $75.47 | $56.37 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $75.47 | $56.37 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Vermont rate applies
Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Albany
- Alburgh
- Algiers
- Arlington
- Ascutney
- Bakersfield
- Barnet
- Barre
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
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