CPT code 20553: Trigger point injection, three or more muscles2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports medication injection into trigger points in three or more muscles to treat myofascial pain during a single session.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality286.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $59.25 for 20553 in the office and $40.44 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$59.25Office (non-facility)
$40.44Hospital or facility
−0.9%vs the national office rate ($59.79)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20553 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 20553 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 20553 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 20553 covers

This service treats myofascial pain by placing a needle into trigger points in three or more muscles and injecting medication at the identified sites. A trigger point is a tender, taut area within muscle associated with the patient’s symptoms; the target is muscle rather than a tendon sheath or tendon attachment. Physicians and other qualified practitioners commonly perform these injections in office-based pain, rehabilitation, primary care, or orthopedic settings.

Select the code by the number of muscles treated, not the number of trigger points or needle passes: 20553 covers three or more muscles, while 20552 covers one or two. Document the muscles and sites treated, relevant examination findings, and the procedure performed. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 Delaware compares for 20553

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20553 runs from $53.88 in Arkansas to $75.70 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $59.25. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20553 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$59.25
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$65.88+$6.63
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$67.23+$7.98
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$65.22+$5.97
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$63.58+$4.33
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$68.22+$8.97
  7. Alaska · Alaska$72.91+$13.66

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

Every other payment area

20553 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$54.54$37.88
ArkansasArkansas$53.88$37.52
ArizonaArizona$58.39$39.94
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$62.35$41.48
Chico, CACalifornia$62.10$41.24
El Centro, CACalifornia$62.12$41.25
Fresno, CACalifornia$62.10$41.24
Hanford, CACalifornia$62.10$41.24

20553 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.

$53.88

$72.91

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

View every state and territory as a table
20553 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$72.911
AL$54.541
AR$53.881
AZ$58.391
CA$62.10–$75.7029
CO$61.591
CT$63.361
DC$67.231
DE$59.251
FL$59.69–$65.223
GA$56.77–$60.922
GU$63.151
HI$63.151
IA$55.391
ID$55.761
IL$58.44–$63.584
IN$56.021
KS$55.321
KY$55.931
LA$55.91–$58.222
MA$61.37–$66.842
MD$60.21–$67.233
ME$56.16–$58.512
MI$57.28–$60.482
MN$58.861
MO$55.20–$58.223
MS$54.541
MT$59.781
NC$56.631
ND$58.201
NE$55.611
NH$60.801
NJ$64.03–$66.742
NM$57.611
NV$59.371
NY$57.36–$69.825
OH$56.961
OK$55.691
OR$58.86–$63.132
PA$56.96–$62.082
PR$60.111
RI$61.041
SC$56.901
SD$58.011
TN$55.571
TX$56.65–$61.438
UT$57.551
VA$58.45–$67.232
VI$60.111
VT$58.141
WA$61.20–$67.952
WI$56.561
WV$56.651
WY$59.091

See 20553 in every payment locality

How the 20553 rate is calculated

Each of 20553’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 · 20553

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.73

0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.98

0.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.08

0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.7900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$59.79

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,762

Code
20553
Physician work
0.73
Practice expense
0.98
Malpractice
0.08

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 20553 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.73× 1.0050.7336
Practice expense0.98× 0.9880.9682
Malpractice0.08× 0.8990.0719
Total RVUs1.7738
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$59.25

Office: (0.73 × 1.005 + 0.98 × 0.988 + 0.08 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $59.25

Facility: (0.73 × 1.005 + 0.41 × 0.988 + 0.08 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $40.44

Open 20553 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20553

The CMS indicators that decide how 20553 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 20553

Trigger point injection, three or more muscles

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)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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

20553 without 51 · national office

$59.79

Trigger point injection, three or more muscles

20553-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$29.90

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

How 20553 has changed in Delaware

20553 · Office / nonfacility

$59.25

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.87 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $58.38 to $59.25 (1.5%).

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

    $58.38changed to$59.25

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.75 changed to 0.73
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $60.39changed to$58.38

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $59.41changed to$60.39

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $62.21changed to$59.41

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $63.95changed to$62.21

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $64.16changed to$63.95

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $66.66changed to$64.16

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $66.43changed to$66.66

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $66.36changed to$66.43

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $66.40changed to$66.36

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $66.45changed to$66.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $66.67changed to$66.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $66.34changed to$66.67

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $65.83changed to$66.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 0.99
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $66.14changed to$65.83

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 0.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $66.14

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$59.25$40.44RVU26D
2026-07-01$59.25$40.44RVU26C
2026-04-01$59.25$40.44RVU26B
2026-01-01$59.25$40.44RVU26A
2025-10-01$58.38$40.09RVU25D
2025-07-01$58.38$40.09RVU25C
2025-04-01$58.38$40.09RVU25B
2025-01-01$58.38$40.09RVU25A
2024-10-01$60.39$41.57RVU24D
2024-07-01$60.39$41.57RVU24C
2024-04-01$60.39$41.57RVU24B
2024-03-09$60.39$41.57RVU24AR
2024-01-01$59.41$40.89RVU24A
2023-10-01$62.21$42.76RVU23D
2023-07-01$62.21$42.76RVU23C
2023-04-01$62.21$42.76RVU23B
2023-01-01$62.21$42.76RVU23A
2022-10-01$63.95$43.79RVU22D
2022-07-01$63.95$43.79RVU22C
2022-04-01$63.95$43.79RVU22B
2022-01-01$63.95$43.79RVU22A
2021-10-01$64.16$43.83RVU21D
2021-07-01$64.16$43.83RVU21C
2021-04-01$64.16$43.83RVU21B
2021-01-01$64.16$43.83RVU21A
2020-10-01$66.66$45.66RVU20D
2020-07-01$66.66$45.66RVU20C
2020-04-01$66.66$45.66RVU20B
2020-01-01$66.66$45.66RVU20A
2019-10-01$66.43$45.50RVU19D
2019-07-01$66.43$45.50RVU19C
2019-04-01$66.43$45.50RVU19B
2019-01-01$66.43$45.50RVU19A
2018-10-01$66.36$45.45RVU18D
2018-07-01$66.36$45.45RVU18C
2018-04-01$66.36$45.45RVU18B
2018-01-01$66.36$45.45RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$66.40$45.43RVU17D
2017-07-01$66.40$45.43RVU17C
2017-04-01$66.40$45.43RVU17B
2017-01-01$66.40$45.43RVU17A
2016-10-01$66.45$45.41RVU16D
2016-07-01$66.45$45.41RVU16C
2016-04-01$66.45$45.41RVU16B
2016-01-01$66.45$45.41RVU16A
2015-10-01$66.67$45.19RVU15D
2015-07-01$66.67$45.19RVU15C
2015-04-01$66.34$44.96RVU15B
2015-01-01$66.34$44.96RVU15A
2014-10-01$65.83$44.64RVU14D
2014-07-01$65.83$44.64RVU14C
2014-04-01$65.83$44.64RVU14B
2014-01-01$65.83$44.64RVU14A
2013-10-01$66.14$43.05RVU13D
2013-07-01$66.14$43.05RVU13C
2013-04-01$66.14$43.05RVU13B
2013-01-01$66.14$43.05RVU13AR

Price 20553 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

20553 billing questions

How is 20553 distinguished from 20552?

Count the muscles injected: use 20553 for three or more muscles and 20552 for one or two. The number of trigger points or needle passes does not determine the level.

What should the procedure note identify?

Document the muscles and injection sites, the clinical findings supporting trigger point treatment, and the procedure performed. The record should support treatment of at least three distinct muscles.

Can the medication be reported separately?

The code represents the injection procedure. A separately supplied medication may be reported when it is separately payable and the claim documentation supports it.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral trigger point injections?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; report the service based on the muscles treated rather than using modifier 50.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

Under the CMS multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures performed in the same session are paid at 50%.

Is same-day preoperative or postoperative care included?

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

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 20553PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,762 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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