CPT code 20551: Tendon injection, tendon origin or insertion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in King County, WA
Injection at one tendon origin or insertion, commonly for focal tendinopathy or enthesopathy, is reported when treatment targets the attachment rather than its sheath.
In King County, WA, Medicare pays $68.77 for 20551 in the office and $35.16 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20551 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 20551 covers
This procedure delivers medication to one tendon origin or insertion to treat a localized condition such as tendinopathy or enthesopathy. A physician or other qualified clinician may perform it in an office or outpatient facility. A familiar example is an injection at the common extensor tendon origin for lateral epicondylitis. The target is the tendon’s attachment, not a tendon sheath or a muscle trigger point.
Report 20551 for one tendon origin or insertion; document the treated site, diagnosis, medication, and clinical rationale. The code includes the injection service, while medication may be separately reportable when applicable coding and payment requirements are met. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is 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 for this code. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid, and co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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 King County, WA compares for 20551
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20551 runs from $54.45 in Arkansas to $76.66 in San Benito County, CA. King County, WA pays $68.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- King County, WA · this page$68.77
- Rest of Washington · Washington$61.90−$6.87
- Los Angeles, CA · California$66.67−$2.10
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$68.02−$0.75
- Miami, FL · Florida$65.91−$2.86
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$64.25−$4.52
- Manhattan, NY · New York$68.99+$0.22
Other areas in Washington first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlaskaAlaska | $73.62 | $44.45 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $55.12 | $31.16 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $54.45 | $30.92 |
| ArizonaArizona | $59.04 | $32.50 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $63.08 | $33.06 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $62.85 | $32.83 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $71.30 | $35.20 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $66.21 | $33.84 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $63.71 | $33.69 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $65.54 | $33.68 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $65.28 | $33.54 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $66.51 | $33.75 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $75.02 | $36.40 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $74.93 | $36.31 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $76.66 | $37.17 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $76.29 | $36.80 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $64.27 | $33.08 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $66.91 | $33.63 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $65.44 | $33.51 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $67.56 | $33.93 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $71.17 | $35.07 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $62.84 | $32.82 |
| ColoradoColorado | $62.30 | $33.16 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $64.08 | $34.58 |
| DelawareDelaware | $59.91 | $32.85 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $63.05 | $35.30 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $60.33 | $34.15 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $61.60 | $33.77 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $57.36 | $32.93 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $63.91 | $32.77 |
| IowaIowa | $56.01 | $30.94 |
| IdahoIdaho | $56.38 | $31.18 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $60.49 | $35.30 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $59.05 | $34.05 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $63.59 | $35.46 |
| IndianaIndiana | $56.64 | $31.25 |
| KansasKansas | $55.92 | $31.16 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $56.52 | $32.17 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $58.85 | $33.08 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $56.50 | $32.26 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $67.64 | $34.94 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $62.07 | $33.23 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $63.92 | $34.53 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $60.88 | $33.16 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $56.77 | $31.58 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $59.17 | $32.03 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $61.12 | $34.69 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $57.89 | $32.89 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $59.54 | $31.36 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $58.36 | $32.64 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $58.86 | $32.78 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $55.78 | $32.17 |
| MississippiMississippi | $55.12 | $31.53 |
| MontanaMontana | $60.45 | $33.06 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $57.25 | $31.70 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $58.87 | $31.48 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $56.22 | $30.94 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $61.49 | $32.98 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $67.52 | $35.75 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $64.76 | $34.85 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $58.22 | $33.10 |
| NevadaNevada | $60.04 | $32.63 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $70.62 | $38.05 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $65.29 | $35.30 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $69.28 | $36.90 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $57.99 | $31.97 |
| OhioOhio | $57.57 | $32.57 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $56.29 | $31.83 |
| Portland, OROregon | $63.87 | $33.44 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $59.53 | $32.25 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $62.78 | $34.27 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $57.57 | $32.43 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $60.78 | $33.09 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $61.73 | $33.44 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $57.52 | $32.21 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $58.68 | $31.29 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $56.18 | $31.28 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $62.14 | $33.16 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $57.26 | $32.34 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $59.76 | $32.62 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $60.16 | $32.88 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $59.86 | $32.86 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $59.96 | $32.76 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $61.42 | $34.22 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $58.49 | $32.50 |
| UtahUtah | $58.18 | $32.43 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $59.10 | $32.18 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $60.78 | $33.09 |
| VermontVermont | $58.80 | $31.69 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $57.20 | $30.97 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $57.23 | $33.43 |
| WyomingWyoming | $59.76 | $32.37 |
20551 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.
$54.45
$73.62
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 | $73.62 | 1 |
| AL | $55.12 | 1 |
| AR | $54.45 | 1 |
| AZ | $59.04 | 1 |
| CA | $62.84–$76.66 | 29 |
| CO | $62.30 | 1 |
| CT | $64.08 | 1 |
| DC | $68.02 | 1 |
| DE | $59.91 | 1 |
| FL | $60.33–$65.91 | 3 |
| GA | $57.36–$61.60 | 2 |
| GU | $63.91 | 1 |
| HI | $63.91 | 1 |
| IA | $56.01 | 1 |
| ID | $56.38 | 1 |
| IL | $59.05–$64.25 | 4 |
| IN | $56.64 | 1 |
| KS | $55.92 | 1 |
| KY | $56.52 | 1 |
| LA | $56.50–$58.85 | 2 |
| MA | $62.07–$67.64 | 2 |
| MD | $60.88–$68.02 | 3 |
| ME | $56.77–$59.17 | 2 |
| MI | $57.89–$61.12 | 2 |
| MN | $59.54 | 1 |
| MO | $55.78–$58.86 | 3 |
| MS | $55.12 | 1 |
| MT | $60.45 | 1 |
| NC | $57.25 | 1 |
| ND | $58.87 | 1 |
| NE | $56.22 | 1 |
| NH | $61.49 | 1 |
| NJ | $64.76–$67.52 | 2 |
| NM | $58.22 | 1 |
| NV | $60.04 | 1 |
| NY | $57.99–$70.62 | 5 |
| OH | $57.57 | 1 |
| OK | $56.29 | 1 |
| OR | $59.53–$63.87 | 2 |
| PA | $57.57–$62.78 | 2 |
| PR | $60.78 | 1 |
| RI | $61.73 | 1 |
| SC | $57.52 | 1 |
| SD | $58.68 | 1 |
| TN | $56.18 | 1 |
| TX | $57.26–$62.14 | 8 |
| UT | $58.18 | 1 |
| VA | $59.10–$68.02 | 2 |
| VI | $60.78 | 1 |
| VT | $58.80 | 1 |
| WA | $61.90–$68.77 | 2 |
| WI | $57.20 | 1 |
| WV | $57.23 | 1 |
| WY | $59.76 | 1 |
How the 20551 rate is calculated
Each of 20551’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 · 20551
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.73
0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.00
1.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.08
0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.8100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$60.46
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact King County, WA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,760
- Code
- 20551
- Physician work
- 0.73
- Practice expense
- 1.00
- Malpractice
- 0.08
GPCI2026.csv
108
- Locality
- King County, WA
- Physician work
- 1.050
- Practice expense
- 1.227
- Malpractice
- 0.817
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.73 | × 1.050 | 0.7665 |
| Practice expense | 1.00 | × 1.227 | 1.2270 |
| Malpractice | 0.08 | × 0.817 | 0.0654 |
| Total RVUs | 2.0589 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, King County, WA$68.77
Office: (0.73 × 1.05 + 1 × 1.227 + 0.08 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $68.77
Facility: (0.73 × 1.05 + 0.18 × 1.227 + 0.08 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $35.16
Payment rules and modifiers for 20551
The CMS indicators that decide how 20551 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 20551
Tendon injection, tendon origin or insertion
| 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) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
20551 without 51 · national office
$60.46
Tendon injection, tendon origin or insertion
20551-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$30.23
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%).
How 20551 has changed in King County, WA
20551 · Office / nonfacility
$68.77
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $5.74 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $63.03 to $68.77 (9.1%).
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
$63.03changed to$68.77
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.75 changed to 0.73
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 1.00
- Work GPCI 1.043 changed to 1.050
- Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.227
- Malpractice GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.817
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$64.74changed to$63.03
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.89 changed to 0.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$63.68changed to$64.74
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$65.16changed to$63.68
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.88 changed to 0.89
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
- Work GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.043
- Practice expense GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.220
- Malpractice GPCI 0.815 changed to 0.853
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$65.67changed to$65.16
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
- Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.039
- Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.207
- Malpractice GPCI 0.776 changed to 0.815
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$64.55changed to$65.67
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.84 changed to 0.88
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$62.77changed to$64.55
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.84
- Work GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.036
- Practice expense GPCI 1.170 changed to 1.194
- Malpractice GPCI 0.854 changed to 0.776
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$59.35changed to$62.77
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.76
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.031
- Practice expense GPCI 1.146 changed to 1.170
- Malpractice GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.854
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$67.54changed to$59.35
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.70
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$66.43changed to$67.54
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.89 changed to 0.90
- Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.151 changed to 1.146
- Malpractice GPCI 0.713 changed to 0.931
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$65.33changed to$66.43
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.88 changed to 0.89
- Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.026
- Practice expense GPCI 1.155 changed to 1.151
- Malpractice GPCI 0.495 changed to 0.713
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$65.75changed to$65.33
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$65.42changed to$65.75
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$65.76changed to$65.42
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Practice expense GPCI 1.150 changed to 1.155
- Malpractice GPCI 0.688 changed to 0.495
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$65.53changed to$65.76
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.88
- Practice expense GPCI 1.144 changed to 1.150
- Malpractice GPCI 0.881 changed to 0.688
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $65.53
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $68.77 | $35.16 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $68.77 | $35.16 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $68.77 | $35.16 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $68.77 | $35.16 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $63.03 | $40.14 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $63.03 | $40.14 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $63.03 | $40.14 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $63.03 | $40.14 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $64.74 | $41.18 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $64.74 | $41.18 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $64.74 | $41.18 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $64.74 | $41.18 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $63.68 | $40.51 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $65.16 | $41.85 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $65.16 | $41.85 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $65.16 | $41.85 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $65.16 | $41.85 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $65.67 | $42.12 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $65.67 | $42.12 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $65.67 | $42.12 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $65.67 | $42.12 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $64.55 | $42.46 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $64.55 | $42.46 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $64.55 | $42.46 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $64.55 | $42.46 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $62.77 | $43.77 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $62.77 | $43.77 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $62.77 | $43.77 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $62.77 | $43.77 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $59.35 | $43.66 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $59.35 | $43.66 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $59.35 | $43.66 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $59.35 | $43.66 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $67.54 | $46.91 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $67.54 | $46.91 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $67.54 | $46.91 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $67.54 | $46.91 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $66.43 | $45.77 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $66.43 | $45.77 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $66.43 | $45.77 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $66.43 | $45.77 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $65.33 | $45.07 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $65.33 | $45.07 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $65.33 | $45.07 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $65.33 | $45.07 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $65.75 | $45.41 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $65.75 | $45.41 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $65.42 | $45.19 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $65.42 | $45.19 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $65.76 | $45.58 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $65.76 | $45.58 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $65.76 | $45.58 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $65.76 | $45.58 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $65.53 | $44.90 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $65.53 | $44.90 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $65.53 | $44.90 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $65.53 | $44.90 | RVU13AR |
Where the King County, WA rate applies
King County, WA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 63 cities and communities in Washington. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Seattle
- Algona
- Ames Lake
- 20551 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
- Baring
- Beaux Arts Village
- Bellevue
- Black Diamond
20551 billing questions
How is 20551 different from 20550?
Use 20551 when the injection targets a tendon origin or insertion. Code 20550 describes an injection into a tendon sheath or ligament.
Can 20551 be used for a trigger-point injection?
No. Trigger-point injections are reported with 20552 or 20553 according to the number of muscles treated; 20551 targets a tendon attachment.
What documentation supports 20551?
Record the specific tendon origin or insertion, the condition treated, and the medication administered. The note should make clear that the target was the attachment rather than a tendon sheath or trigger point.
How should multiple injections at the same tendon attachment be counted?
The code describes treatment of one tendon origin or insertion, not the number of needle passes or medication aliquots. Document each distinct treated target and follow applicable unit-reporting requirements.
Can modifier 50 be reported for bilateral tendon injections?
Modifier 50 is inappropriate for 20551 under the CMS descriptor and anatomy rule. Follow applicable reporting requirements for separately documented sides.
How does CMS handle same-session procedures and assistants?
When multiple procedures occur 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 services are not paid; co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting 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
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