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CPT code 20670: Implant removal, superficial hardware2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Queens, NY

Reports removal of accessible superficial orthopedic hardware, such as a buried wire or pin, when a clinician removes the implant from its site.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality6.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Queens, NY, Medicare pays $433.28 for 20670 in the office and $160.87 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$433.28Office (non-facility)
$160.87Hospital or facility
+17.0%vs the national office rate ($370.42)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20670 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 20670 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Queens, NY
  2. What 20670 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 20670 covers

This service covers removal of orthopedic hardware located superficially, such as a buried wire, pin, or screw that can be reached without the deeper dissection required for deep implants. An orthopedist or another clinician performing musculoskeletal procedures may remove it in an office procedure room, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital operating room, depending on the implant’s location and the work needed. The key distinction from deep-implant removal is the documented depth and surgical exposure, not simply the type of hardware.

Report the service for the superficial implant removal itself, and document the implant, anatomic site, and depth supporting the superficial classification. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 Queens, NY compares for 20670

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20670 runs from $323.33 in Arkansas to $506.56 in San Benito County, CA. Queens, NY pays $433.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20670 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$433.28
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$428.52−$4.76
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$439.14+$5.86
  4. Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY · New York$403.72−$29.56
  5. Rest of New York · New York$352.59−$80.69
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$425.22−$8.06
  7. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$428.52−$4.76

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

Every other payment area

20670 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$396.63$156.71
Chicago, ILIllinois$384.02$152.40
AlaskaAlaska$415.28$169.84
AlabamaAlabama$328.63$126.98
ArkansasArkansas$323.33$125.36
ArizonaArizona$359.73$136.40
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$397.08$144.49
Chico, CACalifornia$396.31$143.72

20670 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$323.33

$451.44

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

View every state and territory as a table
20670 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$415.281
AL$328.631
AR$323.331
AZ$359.731
CA$396.31–$506.5629
CO$388.531
CT$396.811
DC$428.521
DE$366.161
FL$361.62–$396.633
GA$339.43–$377.252
GU$408.121
HI$408.121
IA$339.231
ID$341.431
IL$349.14–$385.974
IN$343.671
KS$336.861
KY$336.021
LA$335.20–$353.772
MA$385.58–$430.592
MD$373.90–$428.523
ME$342.77–$364.362
MI$345.22–$366.002
MN$372.851
MO$328.37–$355.893
MS$325.951
MT$370.401
NC$346.861
ND$365.061
NE$341.481
NH$381.711
NJ$401.50–$423.182
NM$347.081
NV$369.211
NY$352.59–$439.145
OH$344.131
OK$335.991
OR$366.53–$402.672
PA$345.08–$385.632
PR$373.611
RI$380.551
SC$346.041
SD$364.431
TN$338.671
TX$342.51–$387.088
UT$351.321
VA$362.61–$428.522
VI$373.611
VT$362.931
WA$385.08–$440.462
WI$351.451
WV$334.621
WY$368.071

See 20670 in every payment locality

How the 20670 rate is calculated

Each of 20670’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 · 20670

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.75

1.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense9.07

9.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.27

0.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.0900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$370.42

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

The exact Queens, NY inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,782

Code
20670
Physician work
1.75
Practice expense
9.07
Malpractice
0.27

GPCI2026.csv

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 20670 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.75× 1.0641.8620
Practice expense9.07× 1.18210.7207
Malpractice0.27× 1.4420.3893
Total RVUs12.9721
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$433.28

Office: (1.75 × 1.064 + 9.07 × 1.182 + 0.27 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $433.28

Facility: (1.75 × 1.064 + 2.17 × 1.182 + 0.27 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $160.87

Open 20670 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20670

20670 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 20670

Implant removal, superficial hardware

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 20670

Implant removal, superficial hardware

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

20670 without 51 · national office

$370.42

Implant removal, superficial hardware

20670-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$185.21

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

Codes related to 20670

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 20670
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Queens, NY
Same family
20680Implant removal, deep implantRemoval of orthopedic hardware classified as deep rather than superficial.$733.27
Used instead
20650Skeletal traction, bone pin insertionMay describe skeletal-traction wire or pin insertion when removal is included in that service.$289.46
20665Cranial device removal, tongs or haloDedicated removal code for tongs or a halo, rather than ordinary superficial implant removal.$135.08

How 20670 has changed in Queens, NY

20670 · Office / nonfacility

$433.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $32.91 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $400.37 to $433.28 (8.2%).

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

    $400.37changed to$433.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.79 changed to 1.75
    • Practice expense RVU 8.42 changed to 9.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $419.49changed to$400.37

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.62 changed to 8.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $412.64changed to$419.49

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $440.54changed to$412.64

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.70 changed to 8.62
    • Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $462.12changed to$440.54

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.75 changed to 8.70
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $483.09changed to$462.12

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.15 changed to 8.75

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $462.91changed to$483.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.46 changed to 9.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $460.86changed to$462.91

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.61 changed to 8.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $466.40changed to$460.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.75 changed to 8.61

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $464.31changed to$466.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 8.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $463.20changed to$464.31

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $466.95changed to$463.20

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.74 changed to 8.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $464.63changed to$466.95

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $455.19changed to$464.63

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.59 changed to 8.74
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $471.43changed to$455.19

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 9.63 changed to 8.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $471.43

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$433.28$160.87RVU26D
2026-07-01$433.28$160.87RVU26C
2026-04-01$433.28$160.87RVU26B
2026-01-01$433.28$160.87RVU26A
2025-10-01$400.37$165.74RVU25D
2025-07-01$400.37$165.74RVU25C
2025-04-01$400.37$165.74RVU25B
2025-01-01$400.37$165.74RVU25A
2024-10-01$419.49$168.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$419.49$168.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$419.49$168.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$419.49$168.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$412.64$166.13RVU24A
2023-10-01$440.54$176.45RVU23D
2023-07-01$440.54$176.45RVU23C
2023-04-01$440.54$176.45RVU23B
2023-01-01$440.54$176.45RVU23A
2022-10-01$462.12$183.34RVU22D
2022-07-01$462.12$183.34RVU22C
2022-04-01$462.12$183.34RVU22B
2022-01-01$462.12$183.34RVU22A
2021-10-01$483.09$184.86RVU21D
2021-07-01$483.09$184.86RVU21C
2021-04-01$483.09$184.86RVU21B
2021-01-01$483.09$184.86RVU21A
2020-10-01$462.91$184.70RVU20D
2020-07-01$462.91$184.70RVU20C
2020-04-01$462.91$184.70RVU20B
2020-01-01$462.91$184.70RVU20A
2019-10-01$460.86$180.62RVU19D
2019-07-01$460.86$180.62RVU19C
2019-04-01$460.86$180.62RVU19B
2019-01-01$460.86$180.62RVU19A
2018-10-01$466.40$181.28RVU18D
2018-07-01$466.40$181.28RVU18C
2018-04-01$466.40$181.28RVU18B
2018-01-01$466.40$181.28RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$464.31$181.79RVU17D
2017-07-01$464.31$181.79RVU17C
2017-04-01$464.31$181.79RVU17B
2017-01-01$464.31$181.79RVU17A
2016-10-01$463.20$181.59RVU16D
2016-07-01$463.20$181.59RVU16C
2016-04-01$463.20$181.59RVU16B
2016-01-01$463.20$181.59RVU16A
2015-10-01$466.95$183.46RVU15D
2015-07-01$466.95$183.46RVU15C
2015-04-01$464.63$182.54RVU15B
2015-01-01$464.63$182.54RVU15A
2014-10-01$455.19$177.76RVU14D
2014-07-01$455.19$177.76RVU14C
2014-04-01$455.19$177.76RVU14B
2014-01-01$455.19$177.76RVU14A
2013-10-01$471.43$175.44RVU13D
2013-07-01$471.43$175.44RVU13C
2013-04-01$471.43$175.44RVU13B
2013-01-01$471.43$175.44RVU13AR

Price 20670 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in New York

20670 billing questions

How is superficial removal distinguished from deep implant removal?

Use the documented implant depth and the exposure required. This code describes accessible superficial hardware; removal requiring deeper dissection is considered with 20680.

Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in this service.

Should modifier 50 be used for removal on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?

Under the standard multiple procedure rule, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction.

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 20670PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,782 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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