CPT code 20705: Device removal, intra-articular drug delivery2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado
Removal of a drug-delivery device from a joint is reported with the primary operation when a previously placed intra-articular implant is taken out.
In Colorado, Medicare pays $128.76 for 20705 in the office and $105.30 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 20705 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 20705 covers
This code represents operative removal of a drug-delivery device positioned inside a joint. A representative situation is removal of an antibiotic-containing spacer during a staged operation for an infected joint. Orthopedic surgeons and other physicians performing musculoskeletal surgery may encounter this work in an operating room or hospital facility. The device’s intra-articular location and drug-delivery purpose distinguish the service from removal of ordinary fixation hardware or a joint prosthesis.
Report 20705 only with the primary procedure performed during the operative encounter; it is not a standalone service. The operative report should identify the device, document its intra-articular location and removal, and support the associated primary operation. CMS treats this as an add-on code, with payment falling within the primary procedure’s global period. The site of the device—not the specific medication or the reason for its use—guides selection among the related drug-delivery device codes.
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 Colorado compares for 20705
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 20705 runs from $115.12 in Arkansas to $159.73 in Alaska. Colorado pays $128.76. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Colorado · this page$128.76
- Los Angeles, CA · California$134.32+$5.56
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$141.46+$12.70
- Miami, FL · Florida$152.01+$23.25
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$147.57+$18.81
- Manhattan, NY · New York$148.25+$19.49
- Alaska · Alaska$159.73+$30.97
Other areas in Colorado first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $116.56 | $97.27 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $115.12 | $96.19 |
| ArizonaArizona | $124.83 | $103.47 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $128.18 | $104.02 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $127.06 | $102.90 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $139.53 | $110.47 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $132.77 | $106.72 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $131.61 | $107.45 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $131.25 | $105.61 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $130.73 | $105.18 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $132.36 | $106.00 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $145.09 | $114.01 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $144.60 | $113.52 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $148.65 | $116.86 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $146.65 | $114.87 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $128.87 | $103.76 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $132.48 | $105.69 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $130.82 | $105.12 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $133.68 | $106.60 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $138.82 | $109.77 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $126.99 | $102.83 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $136.05 | $112.31 |
| DelawareDelaware | $126.63 | $104.85 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $140.43 | $118.10 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $133.56 | $112.48 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $132.06 | $109.66 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $126.29 | $106.63 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $128.21 | $103.14 |
| IowaIowa | $115.88 | $95.71 |
| IdahoIdaho | $117.19 | $96.91 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $139.32 | $119.04 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $132.54 | $112.41 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $141.02 | $118.38 |
| IndianaIndiana | $117.68 | $97.25 |
| KansasKansas | $116.94 | $97.01 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $122.18 | $102.58 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $127.63 | $106.89 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $122.62 | $103.11 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $138.04 | $111.72 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $128.79 | $105.57 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $135.98 | $112.33 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $128.31 | $106.00 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $119.33 | $99.05 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $122.57 | $100.72 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $136.58 | $115.31 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $126.31 | $106.18 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $119.42 | $96.73 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $125.26 | $104.56 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $126.19 | $105.20 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $121.85 | $102.85 |
| MississippiMississippi | $118.43 | $99.45 |
| MontanaMontana | $128.23 | $106.19 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $120.14 | $99.58 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $119.73 | $97.68 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $115.96 | $95.61 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $128.26 | $105.31 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $140.66 | $115.08 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $136.48 | $112.41 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $127.51 | $107.30 |
| NevadaNevada | $125.90 | $103.84 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $153.33 | $127.12 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $138.59 | $114.45 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $147.06 | $121.00 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $121.81 | $100.86 |
| OhioOhio | $124.57 | $104.44 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $120.37 | $100.69 |
| Portland, OROregon | $130.56 | $106.07 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $123.82 | $101.86 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $134.09 | $111.14 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $123.88 | $103.64 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $128.53 | $106.24 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $129.48 | $106.71 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $122.78 | $102.41 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $118.72 | $96.68 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $117.63 | $97.59 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $129.30 | $105.98 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $123.30 | $103.24 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $125.27 | $103.42 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $126.68 | $104.72 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $126.43 | $104.69 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $126.04 | $104.15 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $133.91 | $112.02 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $124.63 | $103.71 |
| UtahUtah | $124.17 | $103.45 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $123.29 | $101.62 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $128.53 | $106.24 |
| VermontVermont | $120.73 | $98.90 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $128.06 | $104.84 |
| King County, WAWashington | $139.07 | $112.02 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $116.48 | $95.36 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $128.72 | $109.56 |
| WyomingWyoming | $124.53 | $102.48 |
20705 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.
$115.12
$159.73
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 | $159.73 | 1 |
| AL | $116.56 | 1 |
| AR | $115.12 | 1 |
| AZ | $124.83 | 1 |
| CA | $126.99–$148.65 | 29 |
| CO | $128.76 | 1 |
| CT | $136.05 | 1 |
| DC | $141.46 | 1 |
| DE | $126.63 | 1 |
| FL | $133.56–$152.01 | 3 |
| GA | $126.29–$132.06 | 2 |
| GU | $128.21 | 1 |
| HI | $128.21 | 1 |
| IA | $115.88 | 1 |
| ID | $117.19 | 1 |
| IL | $132.54–$147.57 | 4 |
| IN | $117.68 | 1 |
| KS | $116.94 | 1 |
| KY | $122.18 | 1 |
| LA | $122.62–$127.63 | 2 |
| MA | $128.79–$138.04 | 2 |
| MD | $128.31–$141.46 | 3 |
| ME | $119.33–$122.57 | 2 |
| MI | $126.31–$136.58 | 2 |
| MN | $119.42 | 1 |
| MO | $121.85–$126.19 | 3 |
| MS | $118.43 | 1 |
| MT | $128.23 | 1 |
| NC | $120.14 | 1 |
| ND | $119.73 | 1 |
| NE | $115.96 | 1 |
| NH | $128.26 | 1 |
| NJ | $136.48–$140.66 | 2 |
| NM | $127.51 | 1 |
| NV | $125.90 | 1 |
| NY | $121.81–$153.33 | 5 |
| OH | $124.57 | 1 |
| OK | $120.37 | 1 |
| OR | $123.82–$130.56 | 2 |
| PA | $123.88–$134.09 | 2 |
| PR | $128.53 | 1 |
| RI | $129.48 | 1 |
| SC | $122.78 | 1 |
| SD | $118.72 | 1 |
| TN | $117.63 | 1 |
| TX | $123.30–$133.91 | 8 |
| UT | $124.17 | 1 |
| VA | $123.29–$141.46 | 2 |
| VI | $128.53 | 1 |
| VT | $120.73 | 1 |
| WA | $128.06–$139.07 | 2 |
| WI | $116.48 | 1 |
| WV | $128.72 | 1 |
| WY | $124.53 | 1 |
How the 20705 rate is calculated
Each of 20705’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 · 20705
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.10
2.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.31
1.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.43
0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.8400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$128.26
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,795
- Code
- 20705
- Physician work
- 2.10
- Practice expense
- 1.31
- Malpractice
- 0.43
GPCI2026.csv
37
- Locality
- Colorado
- Physician work
- 1.012
- Practice expense
- 1.064
- Malpractice
- 0.781
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.10 | × 1.012 | 2.1252 |
| Practice expense | 1.31 | × 1.064 | 1.3938 |
| Malpractice | 0.43 | × 0.781 | 0.3358 |
| Total RVUs | 3.8549 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Colorado$128.76
Office: (2.1 × 1.012 + 1.31 × 1.064 + 0.43 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $128.76
Facility: (2.1 × 1.012 + 0.65 × 1.064 + 0.43 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $105.30
Payment rules and modifiers for 20705
The CMS indicators that decide how 20705 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 20705
Device removal, intra-articular drug delivery
| 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 20705 has changed in Colorado
20705 · Office / nonfacility
$128.76
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $8.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $120.36 to $128.76 (7.0%).
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
$120.36changed to$128.76
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.15 changed to 2.10
- Practice expense RVU 1.13 changed to 1.31
- Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.43
- Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
- Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
- Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$122.89changed to$120.36
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.13
- Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.44
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$120.88changed to$122.89
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$124.69changed to$120.88
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.11
- Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
- Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
- Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$125.12changed to$124.69
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.12
- Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
- Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
- Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
- Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$121.34changed to$125.12
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.09
- Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.42
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$125.42changed to$121.34
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.98
- Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
- Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
- Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
No ratechanged to$125.42
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 | $128.76 | $105.30 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $128.76 | $105.30 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $128.76 | $105.30 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $128.76 | $105.30 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $120.36 | $120.36 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $120.36 | $120.36 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $120.36 | $120.36 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $120.36 | $120.36 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $122.89 | $122.89 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $122.89 | $122.89 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $122.89 | $122.89 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $122.89 | $122.89 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $120.88 | $120.88 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $124.69 | $124.69 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $124.69 | $124.69 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $124.69 | $124.69 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $124.69 | $124.69 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $125.12 | $125.12 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $125.12 | $125.12 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $125.12 | $125.12 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $125.12 | $125.12 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $121.34 | $121.34 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $121.34 | $121.34 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $121.34 | $121.34 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $121.34 | $121.34 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $125.42 | $125.42 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $125.42 | $125.42 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $125.42 | $125.42 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $125.42 | $125.42 | 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 Colorado rate applies
Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Acres Green
- Aetna Estates
- Aguilar
- Air Force Academy
- Akron
- Alamosa
- Alamosa East
- Allenspark
20705 billing questions
Can 20705 be reported by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary procedure.
How does 20705 differ from 20703?
20705 is for removal of a drug-delivery device located inside a joint; 20703 is for removal of one located in the intramedullary space.
Is removal of every joint implant reported with 20705?
No. The code concerns an intra-articular device used to deliver medication, such as an antibiotic-containing spacer, not routine removal of a prosthesis or fixation hardware.
What should the operative report document?
Document the device’s drug-delivery purpose, its intra-articular location, its removal, and the primary procedure performed in the same encounter.
Can a joint spacer qualify?
A spacer used to deliver medication may fit when it is removed from the joint. The device’s purpose and location should be clear in the operative documentation.
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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