CPT code 20552: Trigger point injection, one or two muscles2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Dakota
Report 20552 for injection treatment of one or more myofascial trigger points located in one or two muscles, such as trapezius muscles.
In North Dakota, Medicare pays $50.38 for 20552 in the office and $34.35 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20552 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 20552 covers
A clinician injects medication into one or more palpable, symptomatic trigger points in one or two muscles to treat myofascial pain. Common sites include cervical or lumbar paraspinal muscles and the trapezius. The service is often performed in an office or outpatient setting by clinicians treating musculoskeletal or pain conditions. The code describes the number of muscles treated, not the number of trigger points or needle placements; dry needling without injection is a different service.
Choose 20552 when the documented injection treatment involves one or two muscles; use the three-or-more-muscle code when that threshold is met. Record the treated muscles, trigger-point findings, injection sites, and medication administered. Medicare assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. 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-surgeon or team-surgery reporting is 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 North Dakota compares for 20552
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20552 runs from $46.68 in Arkansas to $65.44 in San Benito County, CA. North Dakota pays $50.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Dakota · this page$50.38
- Los Angeles, CA · California$57.00+$6.62
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$58.18+$7.80
- Miami, FL · Florida$56.50+$6.12
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$55.09+$4.71
- Manhattan, NY · New York$59.05+$8.67
- Alaska · Alaska$63.23+$12.85
Other areas in North Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $47.25 | $33.22 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $46.68 | $32.91 |
| ArizonaArizona | $50.56 | $35.03 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $53.96 | $36.39 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $53.76 | $36.18 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $60.89 | $39.76 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $56.59 | $37.64 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $54.51 | $36.93 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $56.03 | $37.38 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $55.81 | $37.23 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $56.84 | $37.67 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $64.04 | $41.43 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $63.96 | $41.36 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $65.44 | $42.32 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $65.11 | $42.00 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $54.95 | $36.69 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $57.17 | $37.69 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $55.94 | $37.25 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $57.72 | $38.04 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $60.78 | $39.64 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $53.74 | $36.17 |
| ColoradoColorado | $53.31 | $36.25 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $54.85 | $37.58 |
| DelawareDelaware | $51.31 | $35.47 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $54.03 | $37.78 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $51.71 | $36.39 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $52.75 | $36.47 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $49.19 | $34.89 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $54.63 | $36.40 |
| IowaIowa | $47.98 | $33.31 |
| IdahoIdaho | $48.29 | $33.54 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $51.90 | $37.15 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $50.65 | $36.01 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $54.48 | $38.02 |
| IndianaIndiana | $48.52 | $33.66 |
| KansasKansas | $47.92 | $33.42 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $48.46 | $34.21 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $50.43 | $35.35 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $48.45 | $34.26 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $57.83 | $38.69 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $53.13 | $36.24 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $54.72 | $37.51 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $52.13 | $35.91 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $48.64 | $33.89 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $50.66 | $34.77 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $52.39 | $36.92 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $49.63 | $34.99 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $50.94 | $34.44 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $50.01 | $34.95 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $50.43 | $35.17 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $47.84 | $34.02 |
| MississippiMississippi | $47.26 | $33.46 |
| MontanaMontana | $51.77 | $35.73 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $49.05 | $34.09 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $48.16 | $33.36 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $52.63 | $35.94 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $57.77 | $39.17 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $55.43 | $37.93 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $49.91 | $35.21 |
| NevadaNevada | $51.41 | $35.36 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $60.45 | $41.38 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $55.89 | $38.33 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $59.28 | $40.33 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $49.67 | $34.44 |
| OhioOhio | $49.35 | $34.71 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $48.25 | $33.93 |
| Portland, OROregon | $54.63 | $36.82 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $50.96 | $35.00 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $53.76 | $37.07 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $49.34 | $34.62 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $52.04 | $35.84 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $52.85 | $36.29 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $49.29 | $34.47 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $50.22 | $34.19 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $48.14 | $33.56 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $53.17 | $36.21 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $49.08 | $34.49 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $51.18 | $35.29 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $51.52 | $35.55 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $51.27 | $35.46 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $51.34 | $35.42 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $52.63 | $36.70 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $50.11 | $34.90 |
| UtahUtah | $49.85 | $34.78 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $50.61 | $34.85 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $52.04 | $35.84 |
| VermontVermont | $50.34 | $34.46 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $52.98 | $36.10 |
| King County, WAWashington | $58.78 | $39.11 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $48.98 | $33.62 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $49.10 | $35.17 |
| WyomingWyoming | $51.16 | $35.13 |
20552 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.
$46.68
$63.23
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 | $63.23 | 1 |
| AL | $47.25 | 1 |
| AR | $46.68 | 1 |
| AZ | $50.56 | 1 |
| CA | $53.74–$65.44 | 29 |
| CO | $53.31 | 1 |
| CT | $54.85 | 1 |
| DC | $58.18 | 1 |
| DE | $51.31 | 1 |
| FL | $51.71–$56.50 | 3 |
| GA | $49.19–$52.75 | 2 |
| GU | $54.63 | 1 |
| HI | $54.63 | 1 |
| IA | $47.98 | 1 |
| ID | $48.29 | 1 |
| IL | $50.65–$55.09 | 4 |
| IN | $48.52 | 1 |
| KS | $47.92 | 1 |
| KY | $48.46 | 1 |
| LA | $48.45–$50.43 | 2 |
| MA | $53.13–$57.83 | 2 |
| MD | $52.13–$58.18 | 3 |
| ME | $48.64–$50.66 | 2 |
| MI | $49.63–$52.39 | 2 |
| MN | $50.94 | 1 |
| MO | $47.84–$50.43 | 3 |
| MS | $47.26 | 1 |
| MT | $51.77 | 1 |
| NC | $49.05 | 1 |
| ND | $50.38 | 1 |
| NE | $48.16 | 1 |
| NH | $52.63 | 1 |
| NJ | $55.43–$57.77 | 2 |
| NM | $49.91 | 1 |
| NV | $51.41 | 1 |
| NY | $49.67–$60.45 | 5 |
| OH | $49.35 | 1 |
| OK | $48.25 | 1 |
| OR | $50.96–$54.63 | 2 |
| PA | $49.34–$53.76 | 2 |
| PR | $52.04 | 1 |
| RI | $52.85 | 1 |
| SC | $49.29 | 1 |
| SD | $50.22 | 1 |
| TN | $48.14 | 1 |
| TX | $49.08–$53.17 | 8 |
| UT | $49.85 | 1 |
| VA | $50.61–$58.18 | 2 |
| VI | $52.04 | 1 |
| VT | $50.34 | 1 |
| WA | $52.98–$58.78 | 2 |
| WI | $48.98 | 1 |
| WV | $49.10 | 1 |
| WY | $51.16 | 1 |
How the 20552 rate is calculated
Each of 20552’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 · 20552
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.64
0.64 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.84
0.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.5500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$51.77
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Dakota inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,761
- Code
- 20552
- Physician work
- 0.64
- Practice expense
- 0.84
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
84
- Locality
- North Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.406
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.64 | × 1.000 | 0.6400 |
| Practice expense | 0.84 | × 1.000 | 0.8400 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 0.406 | 0.0284 |
| Total RVUs | 1.5084 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Dakota$50.38
Office: (0.64 × 1 + 0.84 × 1 + 0.07 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $50.38
Facility: (0.64 × 1 + 0.36 × 1 + 0.07 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $34.35
Payment rules and modifiers for 20552
The CMS indicators that decide how 20552 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 20552
Trigger point injection, one or two muscles
| 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
20552 without 51 · national office
$51.77
Trigger point injection, one or two muscles
20552-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$25.89
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 20552 has changed in North Dakota
20552 · Office / nonfacility
$50.38
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.69 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $49.69 to $50.38 (1.4%).
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
$49.69changed to$50.38
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64
- Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.406
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$51.31changed to$49.69
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$50.47changed to$51.31
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$52.12changed to$50.47
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Malpractice GPCI 0.474 changed to 0.517
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$53.25changed to$52.12
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Malpractice GPCI 0.431 changed to 0.474
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$53.69changed to$53.25
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$55.71changed to$53.69
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.485 changed to 0.431
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$55.42changed to$55.71
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
- Malpractice GPCI 0.540 changed to 0.485
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$55.36changed to$55.42
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$55.21changed to$55.36
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.540
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$55.09changed to$55.21
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Malpractice GPCI 0.554 changed to 0.547
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$55.09changed to$55.09
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$54.82changed to$55.09
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$54.72changed to$54.82
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.83 changed to 0.84
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
- Malpractice GPCI 0.536 changed to 0.554
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$54.65changed to$54.72
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.83
- Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $54.65
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $50.38 | $34.35 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $50.38 | $34.35 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $50.38 | $34.35 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $50.38 | $34.35 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $49.69 | $34.16 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $49.69 | $34.16 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $49.69 | $34.16 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $49.69 | $34.16 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $51.31 | $35.33 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $51.31 | $35.33 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $51.31 | $35.33 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $51.31 | $35.33 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $50.47 | $34.75 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $52.12 | $35.85 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $52.12 | $35.85 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $52.12 | $35.85 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $52.12 | $35.85 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $53.25 | $36.64 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $53.25 | $36.64 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $53.25 | $36.64 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $53.25 | $36.64 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $53.69 | $36.94 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $53.69 | $36.94 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $53.69 | $36.94 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $53.69 | $36.94 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $55.71 | $38.39 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $55.71 | $38.39 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $55.71 | $38.39 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $55.71 | $38.39 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $55.42 | $38.12 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $55.42 | $38.12 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $55.42 | $38.12 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $55.42 | $38.12 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $55.36 | $38.08 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $55.36 | $38.08 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $55.36 | $38.08 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $55.36 | $38.08 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $55.21 | $37.98 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $55.21 | $37.98 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $55.21 | $37.98 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $55.21 | $37.98 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $55.09 | $37.91 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $55.09 | $37.91 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $55.09 | $37.91 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $55.09 | $37.91 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $55.09 | $37.85 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $55.09 | $37.85 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $54.82 | $37.66 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $54.82 | $37.66 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $54.72 | $37.88 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $54.72 | $37.88 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $54.72 | $37.88 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $54.72 | $37.88 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $54.65 | $36.96 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $54.65 | $36.96 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $54.65 | $36.96 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $54.65 | $36.96 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Dakota rate applies
North Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 406 cities and communities in North Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abercrombie
- Adams
- Alamo
- Alexander
- Alice
- Almont
- Alsen
- Ambrose
20552 billing questions
Does the number of trigger points determine whether to report 20552?
No. The distinction is based on the number of muscles injected: 20552 covers one or two muscles, regardless of the number of trigger points treated.
When should 20553 be reported instead?
Use 20553 when injection treatment involves three or more muscles. Document the muscles treated so the code selection is supported.
Can dry needling be reported as 20552?
No. 20552 describes trigger-point injection treatment; needle insertion without injection is represented by the dry-needling codes.
Should modifier 50 be added for bilateral trigger points?
No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.
What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in this code's 0-day global period.
What documentation supports reporting 20552?
Document the symptomatic trigger points, the one or two muscles treated, injection sites, and the medication administered.
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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