CPT code 20700: Drug-delivery device, deep placement2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
Reports hand preparation and deep placement of a drug-delivery device, such as antibiotic beads, during operative treatment of musculoskeletal infection.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $93.33 for 20700 in the office and $76.80 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20700 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 20700 covers
This service covers manually preparing a drug-delivery device and placing it deep, such as beneath fascia, to treat a musculoskeletal infection. Examples include antibiotic-impregnated beads or a spacer placed in a deep operative site. Orthopedic surgeons commonly perform the work during surgery for infected bone or surrounding musculoskeletal tissues in a hospital or ambulatory surgery facility. Placement in the intramedullary canal or directly within a joint belongs to a different code in this family.
Select the code according to the device’s placement site, not the infection’s severity or the number of devices. The operative report should support the infection being treated, manual preparation of the device, its deep placement, and the primary procedure performed. Report 20700 only with a primary procedure; CMS treats it as an add-on and pays it within that procedure’s global period.
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 20700
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20700 runs from $76.76 in Arkansas to $107.10 in Alaska. Washington, DC area pays $93.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$93.33
- Los Angeles, CA · California$88.93−$4.40
- Miami, FL · Florida$99.24+$5.91
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$96.56+$3.23
- Manhattan, NY · New York$97.49+$4.16
- Alaska · Alaska$107.10+$13.77
- Alabama · Alabama$77.65−$15.68
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $76.76 | $64.71 |
| ArizonaArizona | $82.74 | $69.15 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $85.00 | $69.62 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $84.31 | $68.94 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $92.35 | $73.86 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $87.91 | $71.33 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $87.07 | $71.69 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $87.03 | $70.71 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $86.68 | $70.42 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $87.69 | $70.91 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $96.00 | $76.22 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $95.71 | $75.93 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $98.28 | $78.05 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $97.07 | $76.84 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $85.44 | $69.47 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $87.72 | $70.68 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $86.72 | $70.36 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $88.52 | $71.29 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $91.92 | $73.43 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $84.27 | $68.89 |
| ColoradoColorado | $85.27 | $70.35 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $89.75 | $74.64 |
| DelawareDelaware | $83.88 | $70.02 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $92.21 | $78.00 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $88.00 | $74.59 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $87.17 | $72.92 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $83.55 | $71.03 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $84.93 | $68.98 |
| IowaIowa | $77.27 | $64.44 |
| IdahoIdaho | $78.07 | $65.16 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $91.45 | $78.55 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $87.34 | $74.54 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $92.62 | $78.22 |
| IndianaIndiana | $78.38 | $65.37 |
| KansasKansas | $77.90 | $65.22 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $81.06 | $68.59 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $84.40 | $71.20 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $81.32 | $68.91 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $91.20 | $74.45 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $85.31 | $70.54 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $89.68 | $74.62 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $84.94 | $70.75 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $79.36 | $66.46 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $81.39 | $67.49 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $89.84 | $76.30 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $83.58 | $70.77 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $79.52 | $65.08 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $82.97 | $69.80 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $83.54 | $70.19 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $80.83 | $68.74 |
| MississippiMississippi | $78.76 | $66.69 |
| MontanaMontana | $84.82 | $70.79 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $79.87 | $66.78 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $79.68 | $65.65 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $77.33 | $64.38 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $84.88 | $70.27 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $92.88 | $76.61 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $90.15 | $74.83 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $84.31 | $71.45 |
| NevadaNevada | $83.42 | $69.37 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $100.58 | $83.90 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $91.46 | $76.10 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $96.78 | $80.20 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $80.89 | $67.56 |
| OhioOhio | $82.52 | $69.72 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $79.97 | $67.44 |
| Portland, OROregon | $86.44 | $70.85 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $82.15 | $68.18 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $88.52 | $73.91 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $82.11 | $69.24 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $85.01 | $70.83 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $85.73 | $71.24 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $81.45 | $68.49 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $79.07 | $65.04 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $78.33 | $65.57 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $85.53 | $70.69 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $81.76 | $68.99 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $83.07 | $69.17 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $83.93 | $69.96 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $83.77 | $69.94 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $83.54 | $69.61 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $88.30 | $74.37 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $82.60 | $69.29 |
| UtahUtah | $82.31 | $69.12 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $81.82 | $68.03 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $85.01 | $70.83 |
| VermontVermont | $80.27 | $66.39 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $84.85 | $70.08 |
| King County, WAWashington | $91.90 | $74.69 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $77.68 | $64.24 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $84.99 | $72.80 |
| WyomingWyoming | $82.58 | $68.55 |
20700 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.
$76.76
$107.10
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $107.10 | 1 |
| AL | $77.65 | 1 |
| AR | $76.76 | 1 |
| AZ | $82.74 | 1 |
| CA | $84.27–$98.28 | 29 |
| CO | $85.27 | 1 |
| CT | $89.75 | 1 |
| DC | $93.33 | 1 |
| DE | $83.88 | 1 |
| FL | $88.00–$99.24 | 3 |
| GA | $83.55–$87.17 | 2 |
| GU | $84.93 | 1 |
| HI | $84.93 | 1 |
| IA | $77.27 | 1 |
| ID | $78.07 | 1 |
| IL | $87.34–$96.56 | 4 |
| IN | $78.38 | 1 |
| KS | $77.90 | 1 |
| KY | $81.06 | 1 |
| LA | $81.32–$84.40 | 2 |
| MA | $85.31–$91.20 | 2 |
| MD | $84.94–$93.33 | 3 |
| ME | $79.36–$81.39 | 2 |
| MI | $83.58–$89.84 | 2 |
| MN | $79.52 | 1 |
| MO | $80.83–$83.54 | 3 |
| MS | $78.76 | 1 |
| MT | $84.82 | 1 |
| NC | $79.87 | 1 |
| ND | $79.68 | 1 |
| NE | $77.33 | 1 |
| NH | $84.88 | 1 |
| NJ | $90.15–$92.88 | 2 |
| NM | $84.31 | 1 |
| NV | $83.42 | 1 |
| NY | $80.89–$100.58 | 5 |
| OH | $82.52 | 1 |
| OK | $79.97 | 1 |
| OR | $82.15–$86.44 | 2 |
| PA | $82.11–$88.52 | 2 |
| PR | $85.01 | 1 |
| RI | $85.73 | 1 |
| SC | $81.45 | 1 |
| SD | $79.07 | 1 |
| TN | $78.33 | 1 |
| TX | $81.76–$88.30 | 8 |
| UT | $82.31 | 1 |
| VA | $81.82–$93.33 | 2 |
| VI | $85.01 | 1 |
| VT | $80.27 | 1 |
| WA | $84.85–$91.90 | 2 |
| WI | $77.68 | 1 |
| WV | $84.99 | 1 |
| WY | $82.58 | 1 |
How the 20700 rate is calculated
Each of 20700’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 · 20700
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.46
1.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.82
0.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.26
0.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.5400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$84.84
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
1,790
- Code
- 20700
- Physician work
- 1.46
- Practice expense
- 0.82
- Malpractice
- 0.26
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.46 | × 1.054 | 1.5388 |
| Practice expense | 0.82 | × 1.178 | 0.9660 |
| Malpractice | 0.26 | × 1.113 | 0.2894 |
| Total RVUs | 2.7942 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Washington, DC area$93.33
Office: (1.46 × 1.054 + 0.82 × 1.178 + 0.26 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $93.33
Facility: (1.46 × 1.054 + 0.4 × 1.178 + 0.26 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $76.80
Payment rules and modifiers for 20700
The CMS indicators that decide how 20700 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 20700
Drug-delivery device, deep placement
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
How 20700 has changed in Washington, DC area
20700 · Office / nonfacility
$93.33
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.32 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $90.01 to $93.33 (3.7%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$90.01changed to$93.33
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.50 changed to 1.46
- Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.82
- Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.26
- 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$93.02changed to$90.01
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$91.50changed to$93.02
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$95.38changed to$91.50
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.74 changed to 0.73
- Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.29
- 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
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$98.50changed to$95.38
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.74
- Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.27
- 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.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$96.23changed to$98.50
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.72
- Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.29
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$98.75changed to$96.23
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.68
- Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
- 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.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
No ratechanged to$98.75
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
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.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $93.33 | $76.80 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $93.33 | $76.80 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $93.33 | $76.80 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $93.33 | $76.80 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $90.01 | $90.01 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $90.01 | $90.01 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $90.01 | $90.01 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $90.01 | $90.01 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $93.02 | $93.02 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $93.02 | $93.02 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $93.02 | $93.02 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $93.02 | $93.02 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $91.50 | $91.50 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $95.38 | $95.38 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $95.38 | $95.38 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $95.38 | $95.38 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $95.38 | $95.38 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $98.50 | $98.50 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $98.50 | $98.50 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $98.50 | $98.50 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $98.50 | $98.50 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $96.23 | $96.23 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $96.23 | $96.23 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $96.23 | $96.23 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $96.23 | $96.23 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $98.75 | $98.75 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $98.75 | $98.75 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $98.75 | $98.75 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $98.75 | $98.75 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
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
20700 billing questions
How does 20700 differ from 20702 and 20704?
20700 is for deep placement, such as subfascial placement. Use 20702 for intramedullary placement and 20704 for intra-articular placement.
Can 20700 be reported by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be billed with a primary procedure.
What should the operative note document?
Document the musculoskeletal infection, manual preparation of the drug-delivery device, its deep placement site, and the primary procedure.
Is device removal included in 20700?
20700 describes preparation and insertion. The corresponding deep-device removal service is reported with 20701 when removal is performed.
How does Medicare treat 20700 during the primary procedure's global period?
CMS pays this add-on code within the global period of the primary procedure with which it is billed.
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
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