CPT code 20560: Dry needling, 1-2 muscles2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports dry needling without injected medication when a clinician treats one or two muscles for muscular pain or movement limitation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $27.81 for 20560 in the office and $13.25 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$27.81Office (non-facility)
$13.25Hospital or facility
+12.5%vs the national office rate ($24.72)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20560 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 20560 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 20560 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 20560 covers

Code 20560 represents dry needling: a clinician inserts one or more fine needles into one or two muscles, without injecting medication or another substance. Physical therapists commonly perform it in outpatient rehabilitation for myofascial pain or muscle-related movement limitation; other qualified practitioners may perform it within their scope. The target is muscle tissue, rather than a tendon sheath, ligament, or tendon origin.

Choose 20560 by the number of muscles treated, not by needle passes, needles, or trigger points. When three or more muscles are treated, assess the related 20561 level. The record should identify each muscle treated, describe needle insertion without injection, and connect the procedure to the patient's condition and treatment plan. CMS assigns work, practice-expense, and malpractice relative value units to this service; its practice-expense inputs differ between office and facility settings.

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 Washington, DC area compares for 20560

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20560 runs from $22.58 in Arkansas to $31.90 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $27.81. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20560 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$27.81
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$27.60−$0.21
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$25.80−$2.01
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$25.29−$2.52
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$27.85+$0.04
  6. Alaska · Alaska$30.66+$2.85
  7. Alabama · Alabama$22.82−$4.99

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

20560 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$22.58$11.96
ArizonaArizona$24.23$12.26
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$26.13$12.58
Chico, CACalifornia$26.08$12.54
El Centro, CACalifornia$26.09$12.54
Fresno, CACalifornia$26.08$12.54
Hanford, CACalifornia$26.08$12.54
Madera, CACalifornia$26.08$12.54

20560 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.

$22.58

$30.66

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

View every state and territory as a table
20560 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$30.661
AL$22.821
AR$22.581
AZ$24.231
CA$26.08–$31.9029
CO$25.671
CT$26.071
DC$27.811
DE$24.571
FL$24.27–$25.803
GA$23.27–$25.042
GU$26.501
HI$26.501
IA$23.321
ID$23.421
IL$23.68–$25.434
IN$23.521
KS$23.201
KY$23.131
LA$23.09–$23.932
MA$25.56–$27.832
MD$24.96–$27.813
ME$23.47–$24.472
MI$23.54–$24.452
MN$24.891
MO$22.77–$24.043
MS$22.681
MT$24.721
NC$23.661
ND$24.521
NE$23.431
NH$25.251
NJ$26.45–$27.642
NM$23.621
NV$24.671
NY$23.92–$28.325
OH$23.501
OK$23.141
OR$24.56–$26.352
PA$23.55–$25.542
PR$24.871
RI$25.341
SC$23.601
SD$24.491
TN$23.291
TX$23.43–$25.518
UT$23.841
VA$24.38–$27.812
VI$24.871
VT$24.411
WA$25.51–$28.362
WI$23.901
WV$23.021
WY$24.631

See 20560 in every payment locality

How the 20560 rate is calculated

Each of 20560’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 · 20560

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.31

0.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.42

0.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.7400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$24.72

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,764

Code
20560
Physician work
0.31
Practice expense
0.42
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 20560 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.31× 1.0540.3267
Practice expense0.42× 1.1780.4948
Malpractice0.01× 1.1130.0111
Total RVUs0.8326
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$27.81

Office: (0.31 × 1.054 + 0.42 × 1.178 + 0.01 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $27.81

Facility: (0.31 × 1.054 + 0.05 × 1.178 + 0.01 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $13.25

Open 20560 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20560

20560 has no global surgery period, no multiple-procedure, bilateral or assistant-at-surgery adjustment, and no professional/technical split. What changes the payment is where the service happens: the place of service on the claim decides whether Medicare pays the office or the facility rate.

Place of service · 20560

Which rate does Medicare pay?

The POS code on the claim line (CMS-1500 box 24B).

POS 11 · non-facility rate · national

$24.72

Non-facility (office)
$24.72
Facility
$12.36

Higher because the practice carries its own overhead.

How 20560 has changed in Washington, DC area

20560 · Office / nonfacility

$27.81

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.08 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $27.89 to $27.81 (0.3%).

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

    $27.89changed to$27.81

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $29.11changed to$27.89

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.44 changed to 0.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.01 changed to 0.02

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $28.63changed to$29.11

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $29.97changed to$28.63

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $31.39changed to$29.97

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $31.26changed to$31.39

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.41 changed to 0.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $30.68changed to$31.26

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. April 1, 2020

    RVU20B

    No ratechanged to$30.68

    Held through RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

  10. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D, RVU19A, RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$27.81$13.25RVU26D
2026-07-01$27.81$13.25RVU26C
2026-04-01$27.81$13.25RVU26B
2026-01-01$27.81$13.25RVU26A
2025-10-01$27.89$15.94RVU25D
2025-07-01$27.89$15.94RVU25C
2025-04-01$27.89$15.94RVU25B
2025-01-01$27.89$15.94RVU25A
2024-10-01$29.11$16.01RVU24D
2024-07-01$29.11$16.01RVU24C
2024-04-01$29.11$16.01RVU24B
2024-03-09$29.11$16.01RVU24AR
2024-01-01$28.63$15.75RVU24A
2023-10-01$29.97$16.39RVU23D
2023-07-01$29.97$16.39RVU23C
2023-04-01$29.97$16.39RVU23B
2023-01-01$29.97$16.39RVU23A
2022-10-01$31.39$16.84RVU22D
2022-07-01$31.39$16.84RVU22C
2022-04-01$31.39$16.84RVU22B
2022-01-01$31.39$16.84RVU22A
2021-10-01$31.26$18.75RVU21D
2021-07-01$31.26$18.75RVU21C
2021-04-01$31.26$18.75RVU21B
2021-01-01$31.26$18.75RVU21A
2020-10-01$30.68$18.78RVU20D
2020-07-01$30.68$18.78RVU20C
2020-04-01$30.68$18.78RVU20B
2020-01-01Separate payment rules applySeparate payment rules applyRVU20A
2019-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU19D
2019-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU19C
2019-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU19B
2019-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU19A
2018-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU18D
2018-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU18C
2018-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU18B
2018-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17D
2017-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17C
2017-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17B
2017-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17A
2016-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16D
2016-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16C
2016-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16B
2016-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 20560 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

20560 billing questions

When should I use 20560 instead of 20561?

Use 20560 for treatment of one or two muscles. For three or more muscles, assess 20561.

Is 20560 selected by needle count or muscle count?

Select the code by the number of muscles treated, not the number of needles or insertion passes. Document the muscles addressed.

Can 20560 be used when medication is injected?

No. 20560 describes needle insertion without an injection; a trigger-point injection is represented by a different code family, including 20552 and 20553.

What documentation supports 20560?

Record the treated muscle or muscles, the dry-needling procedure without injection, and the clinical condition or limitation being addressed.

How does 20560 differ from trigger-point injection codes?

20560 represents needle insertion without injectate. Codes 20552 and 20553 describe trigger-point injection services, with selection based on the number of points injected.

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 20560PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,764 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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