CPT code 20694: Fixator removal, under anesthesia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Dakota

Removal of an external fixation frame under anesthesia, typically after fracture healing or completion of staged bone correction.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5.2K Medicare services in 2024

In South Dakota, Medicare pays $444.41 for 20694 in the office and $310.81 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$444.41Office (non-facility)
$310.81Hospital or facility
−3.8%vs the national office rate ($461.93)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20694 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 20694 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Dakota
  2. What 20694 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 20694 covers

An orthopedic surgeon removes an external fixation system while the patient is under anesthesia. The device may stabilize a fracture, support an osteotomy, or maintain alignment during limb-lengthening or deformity correction. This service is commonly performed in an operating room or another setting where anesthesia is provided. It concerns removal of the external frame and its fixation elements, rather than removal of buried internal plates, screws, or other implants.

Report this code when the external fixation system is removed under anesthesia; documentation should identify the device, the reason for removal, and the work performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 South Dakota compares for 20694

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20694 runs from $407.36 in Arkansas to $595.96 in San Benito County, CA. South Dakota pays $444.41. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

20694 in South Dakota vs other payment areas
  1. South Dakota · this page$444.41
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$513.00+$68.59
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$525.17+$80.76
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$514.43+$70.02
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$498.56+$54.15
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$534.31+$89.90
  7. Alaska · Alaska$538.98+$94.57

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

Every other payment area

20694 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$413.45$296.55
ArkansasArkansas$407.36$292.60
ArizonaArizona$448.95$319.49
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$482.71$336.28
Chico, CACalifornia$480.50$334.07
El Centro, CACalifornia$480.63$334.20
Fresno, CACalifornia$480.50$334.07
Hanford, CACalifornia$480.50$334.07

20694 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.

$407.36

$538.98

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

View every state and territory as a table
20694 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$538.981
AL$413.451
AR$407.361
AZ$448.951
CA$480.50–$595.9629
CO$476.791
CT$493.071
DC$525.171
DE$456.411
FL$462.17–$514.433
GA$435.00–$472.402
GU$491.411
HI$491.411
IA$420.841
ID$424.331
IL$451.02–$498.564
IN$426.741
KS$420.411
KY$426.811
LA$426.76–$448.042
MA$474.51–$522.222
MD$464.72–$525.173
ME$428.26–$449.532
MI$439.56–$469.672
MN$451.951
MO$420.36–$447.773
MS$413.871
MT$461.881
NC$432.561
ND$446.261
NE$422.711
NH$470.781
NJ$497.32–$519.912
NM$442.651
NV$457.821
NY$439.28–$549.465
OH$436.371
OK$424.351
OR$452.91–$490.292
PA$436.19–$481.682
PR$464.801
RI$471.511
SC$435.461
SD$444.411
TN$422.761
TX$433.40–$476.398
UT$441.471
VA$449.14–$525.172
VI$464.801
VT$445.941
WA$473.14–$531.322
WI$431.231
WV$434.501
WY$455.071

See 20694 in every payment locality

How the 20694 rate is calculated

Each of 20694’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 · 20694

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.17

4.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.87

8.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.79

0.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

13.8300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$461.93

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

The exact South Dakota inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,787

Code
20694
Physician work
4.17
Practice expense
8.87
Malpractice
0.79

GPCI2026.csv

94

Locality
South Dakota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.336
Office calculation for 20694 in South Dakota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.17× 1.0004.1700
Practice expense8.87× 1.0008.8700
Malpractice0.79× 0.3360.2654
Total RVUs13.3054
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Dakota$444.41

Office: (4.17 × 1 + 8.87 × 1 + 0.79 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $444.41

Facility: (4.17 × 1 + 4.87 × 1 + 0.79 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $310.81

Open 20694 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 20694

20694 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 20694

Fixator removal, under anesthesia

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 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)0.10/0.69/0.21Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 20694

Fixator removal, under anesthesia

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

20694 without 51 · national office

$461.93

Fixator removal, under anesthesia

20694-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$230.97

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 20694 has changed in South Dakota

20694 · Office / nonfacility

$444.41

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $34.52 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $409.89 to $444.41 (8.4%).

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

    $409.89changed to$444.41

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.28 changed to 4.17
    • Practice expense RVU 8.09 changed to 8.87
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.382 changed to 0.336

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $420.02changed to$409.89

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.04 changed to 8.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.78 changed to 0.79

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $413.17changed to$420.02

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $423.26changed to$413.17

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.93 changed to 8.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.78
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $425.21changed to$423.26

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.74 changed to 7.93
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $427.80changed to$425.21

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.72 changed to 7.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.75 changed to 0.77

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $424.53changed to$427.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.20 changed to 7.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.75
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $422.86changed to$424.53

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.15 changed to 7.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.78 changed to 0.77
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $421.68changed to$422.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.13 changed to 7.15

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $418.25changed to$421.68

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.07 changed to 7.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.78
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $418.05changed to$418.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.08 changed to 7.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.77
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $419.34changed to$418.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.07 changed to 7.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 0.79

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $417.26changed to$419.34

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $415.32changed to$417.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.01 changed to 7.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.80
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $419.45changed to$415.32

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.72 changed to 7.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.73
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $419.45

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$444.41$310.81RVU26D
2026-07-01$444.41$310.81RVU26C
2026-04-01$444.41$310.81RVU26B
2026-01-01$444.41$310.81RVU26A
2025-10-01$409.89$325.46RVU25D
2025-07-01$409.89$325.46RVU25C
2025-04-01$409.89$325.46RVU25B
2025-01-01$409.89$325.46RVU25A
2024-10-01$420.02$330.81RVU24D
2024-07-01$420.02$330.81RVU24C
2024-04-01$420.02$330.81RVU24B
2024-03-09$420.02$330.81RVU24AR
2024-01-01$413.17$325.41RVU24A
2023-10-01$423.26$331.43RVU23D
2023-07-01$423.26$331.43RVU23C
2023-04-01$423.26$331.43RVU23B
2023-01-01$423.26$331.43RVU23A
2022-10-01$425.21$331.08RVU22D
2022-07-01$425.21$331.08RVU22C
2022-04-01$425.21$331.08RVU22B
2022-01-01$425.21$331.08RVU22A
2021-10-01$427.80$331.14RVU21D
2021-07-01$427.80$331.14RVU21C
2021-04-01$427.80$331.14RVU21B
2021-01-01$427.80$331.14RVU21A
2020-10-01$424.53$333.23RVU20D
2020-07-01$424.53$333.23RVU20C
2020-04-01$424.53$333.23RVU20B
2020-01-01$424.53$333.23RVU20A
2019-10-01$422.86$333.48RVU19D
2019-07-01$422.86$333.48RVU19C
2019-04-01$422.86$333.48RVU19B
2019-01-01$422.86$333.48RVU19A
2018-10-01$421.68$333.48RVU18D
2018-07-01$421.68$333.48RVU18C
2018-04-01$421.68$333.48RVU18B
2018-01-01$421.68$333.48RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$418.25$331.40RVU17D
2017-07-01$418.25$331.40RVU17C
2017-04-01$418.25$331.40RVU17B
2017-01-01$418.25$331.40RVU17A
2016-10-01$418.05$331.05RVU16D
2016-07-01$418.05$331.05RVU16C
2016-04-01$418.05$331.05RVU16B
2016-01-01$418.05$331.05RVU16A
2015-10-01$419.34$331.31RVU15D
2015-07-01$419.34$331.31RVU15C
2015-04-01$417.26$329.66RVU15B
2015-01-01$417.26$329.66RVU15A
2014-10-01$415.32$329.70RVU14D
2014-07-01$415.32$329.70RVU14C
2014-04-01$415.32$329.70RVU14B
2014-01-01$415.32$329.70RVU14A
2013-10-01$419.45$328.26RVU13D
2013-07-01$419.45$328.26RVU13C
2013-04-01$419.45$328.26RVU13B
2013-01-01$419.45$328.26RVU13AR

Price 20694 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Dakota rate applies

South Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in South Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Agar
  • Agency Village
  • Akaska
  • Albee
  • Alcester
  • Alexandria
  • Allen

Browse all communities in South Dakota

20694 billing questions

When should this code be chosen instead of 20693?

Use 20694 when the external fixation system is removed under anesthesia. Code 20693 describes adjustment or revision of the system under anesthesia when it remains in place.

Is this the code for removing buried plates or screws?

No. It covers removal of an external fixation system. Codes 20670 and 20680 concern removal of superficial and deep internal implants, respectively.

Can modifier 50 be used when fixators are removed on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code. Report the service according to the documented procedure rather than appending modifier 50.

What documentation supports reporting 20694?

Document the external fixation device, the clinical reason for removal, that removal was performed under anesthesia, and the operative work completed.

How does the 90-day global period affect follow-up billing?

The day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care are included in the global period.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

CMS lists a statutory restriction on assistant-at-surgery payment for this code. 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 20694PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,787 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South DakotaGPCI2026.csv, line 94 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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