CPT code 20612: Ganglion treatment, aspiration and/or injection2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report this service for needle aspiration, injection, or both when treating a ganglion cyst, such as a dorsal wrist or finger ganglion.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality25.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $76.86 for 20612 in the office and $40.27 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$76.86Office (non-facility)
$40.27Hospital or facility
+13.4%vs the national office rate ($67.80)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20612 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 20612 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 20612 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 20612 covers

This service covers needle aspiration of a ganglion cyst, injection into a ganglion cyst, or both during the same treatment. Ganglia commonly treated include those on the back of the wrist and around the fingers or feet. Orthopedic, hand, podiatric, and other clinicians may perform the procedure in an office or facility setting, often after evaluating a palpable mass or symptoms such as pain or limited motion.

Select the code when the needle procedure targets a ganglion cyst, rather than a joint or bursa. Document the cyst’s location and the treatment performed; distinguish the cyst from a joint or bursal target in the record. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When this service is performed with other procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and 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 Washington, DC area compares for 20612

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20612 runs from $60.41 in Arkansas to $87.51 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $76.86. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20612 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$76.86
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$75.43−$1.43
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$74.13−$2.73
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$72.07−$4.79
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$77.84+$0.98
  6. Alaska · Alaska$80.55+$3.69
  7. Alabama · Alabama$61.24−$15.62

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

Every other payment area

20612 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$60.41$33.73
ArizonaArizona$66.07$35.97
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$71.10$37.06
Chico, CACalifornia$70.84$36.79
El Centro, CACalifornia$70.85$36.81
Fresno, CACalifornia$70.84$36.79
Hanford, CACalifornia$70.84$36.79
Madera, CACalifornia$70.84$36.79

20612 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$60.41

$80.55

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

View every state and territory as a table
20612 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$80.551
AL$61.241
AR$60.411
AZ$66.071
CA$70.84–$87.5129
CO$70.111
CT$72.131
DC$76.861
DE$67.111
FL$67.46–$74.133
GA$63.84–$69.152
GU$72.301
HI$72.301
IA$62.411
ID$62.851
IL$65.83–$72.074
IN$63.191
KS$62.271
KY$62.881
LA$62.84–$65.732
MA$69.79–$76.572
MD$68.29–$76.863
ME$63.30–$66.322
MI$64.53–$68.392
MN$66.911
MO$61.92–$65.793
MS$61.171
MT$67.801
NC$63.901
ND$66.021
NE$62.691
NH$69.151
NJ$72.88–$76.172
NM$64.911
NV$67.341
NY$64.81–$79.795
OH$64.171
OK$62.631
OR$66.74–$72.072
PA$64.19–$70.522
PR$68.221
RI$69.301
SC$64.151
SD$65.811
TN$62.581
TX$63.80–$69.958
UT$64.971
VA$66.20–$76.862
VI$68.221
VT$65.901
WA$69.61–$77.942
WI$63.961
WV$63.591
WY$67.021

See 20612 in every payment locality

How the 20612 rate is calculated

Each of 20612’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 · 20612

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.68

0.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.26

1.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.0300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$67.80

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

1,773

Code
20612
Physician work
0.68
Practice expense
1.26
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 20612 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.68× 1.0540.7167
Practice expense1.26× 1.1781.4843
Malpractice0.09× 1.1130.1002
Total RVUs2.3012
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$76.86

Office: (0.68 × 1.054 + 1.26 × 1.178 + 0.09 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $76.86

Facility: (0.68 × 1.054 + 0.33 × 1.178 + 0.09 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $40.27

Open 20612 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20612

The CMS indicators that decide how 20612 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 20612

Ganglion treatment, aspiration and/or injection

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

20612 without 51 · national office

$67.80

Ganglion treatment, aspiration and/or injection

20612-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$33.90

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 20612 has changed in Washington, DC area

20612 · Office / nonfacility

$76.86

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.04 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $72.82 to $76.86 (5.5%).

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

    $72.82changed to$76.86

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.70 changed to 0.68
    • Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • 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

    $74.54changed to$72.82

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.17

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $73.33changed to$74.54

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $75.30changed to$73.33

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.16
    • 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

    $77.06changed to$75.30

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.12
    • 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

    $75.97changed to$77.06

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.06 changed to 1.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $73.39changed to$75.97

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 1.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • 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. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $70.41changed to$73.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 0.97
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $70.76changed to$70.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.92

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $70.65changed to$70.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $70.59changed to$70.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $71.28changed to$70.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.94 changed to 0.93

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $70.92changed to$71.28

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $69.40changed to$70.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 0.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $69.23changed to$69.40

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.01 changed to 0.92
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $69.23

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$76.86$40.27RVU26D
2026-07-01$76.86$40.27RVU26C
2026-04-01$76.86$40.27RVU26B
2026-01-01$76.86$40.27RVU26A
2025-10-01$72.82$44.68RVU25D
2025-07-01$72.82$44.68RVU25C
2025-04-01$72.82$44.68RVU25B
2025-01-01$72.82$44.68RVU25A
2024-10-01$74.54$45.58RVU24D
2024-07-01$74.54$45.58RVU24C
2024-04-01$74.54$45.58RVU24B
2024-03-09$74.54$45.58RVU24AR
2024-01-01$73.33$44.84RVU24A
2023-10-01$75.30$46.50RVU23D
2023-07-01$75.30$46.50RVU23C
2023-04-01$75.30$46.50RVU23B
2023-01-01$75.30$46.50RVU23A
2022-10-01$77.06$47.55RVU22D
2022-07-01$77.06$47.55RVU22C
2022-04-01$77.06$47.55RVU22B
2022-01-01$77.06$47.55RVU22A
2021-10-01$75.97$47.94RVU21D
2021-07-01$75.97$47.94RVU21C
2021-04-01$75.97$47.94RVU21B
2021-01-01$75.97$47.94RVU21A
2020-10-01$73.39$48.27RVU20D
2020-07-01$73.39$48.27RVU20C
2020-04-01$73.39$48.27RVU20B
2020-01-01$73.39$48.27RVU20A
2019-10-01$70.41$48.26RVU19D
2019-07-01$70.41$48.26RVU19C
2019-04-01$70.41$48.26RVU19B
2019-01-01$70.41$48.26RVU19A
2018-10-01$70.76$48.64RVU18D
2018-07-01$70.76$48.64RVU18C
2018-04-01$70.76$48.64RVU18B
2018-01-01$70.76$48.64RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$70.65$48.16RVU17D
2017-07-01$70.65$48.16RVU17C
2017-04-01$70.65$48.16RVU17B
2017-01-01$70.65$48.16RVU17A
2016-10-01$70.59$48.15RVU16D
2016-07-01$70.59$48.15RVU16C
2016-04-01$70.59$48.15RVU16B
2016-01-01$70.59$48.15RVU16A
2015-10-01$71.28$48.33RVU15D
2015-07-01$71.28$48.33RVU15C
2015-04-01$70.92$48.09RVU15B
2015-01-01$70.92$48.09RVU15A
2014-10-01$69.40$47.44RVU14D
2014-07-01$69.40$47.44RVU14C
2014-04-01$69.40$47.44RVU14B
2014-01-01$69.40$47.44RVU14A
2013-10-01$69.23$45.99RVU13D
2013-07-01$69.23$45.99RVU13C
2013-04-01$69.23$45.99RVU13B
2013-01-01$69.23$45.99RVU13AR

Price 20612 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

20612 billing questions

When should this code be used instead of a joint aspiration code?

Use this code when the needle targets a ganglion cyst. Use the joint or bursa code that matches the target when the procedure is directed into a joint or bursa.

Does this code cover aspiration and injection during the same treatment?

Yes. It covers aspiration, injection, or both when performed to treat a ganglion cyst.

Should modifier 50 be reported for ganglia on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 should not be used.

Is same-day evaluation and follow-up included?

The code has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for this procedure?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery 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
RVUs for 20612PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,773 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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