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CPT code 21040: Mandibular lesion excision, intraoral approach2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports intraoral removal of a benign lesion of the mandible when the procedure requires more than routine dental extraction or simple cyst care.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $544.29 for 21040 in the office and $376.67 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$544.29Office (non-facility)
$376.67Hospital or facility
+13.4%vs the national office rate ($479.97)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 21040 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 21040 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 21040 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 21040 covers

CPT 21040 describes removal of a benign tumor or cyst from the mandible through an intraoral approach. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other surgeons with appropriate training may perform it in an office, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital operating room. The operative work may involve incising oral mucosa, exposing the mandibular lesion, removing it, and closing the site. The code is for a benign lesion, not a malignant jaw tumor or an exostosis.

Select the code based on the documented lesion, mandibular site, and intraoral route; distinguish it from procedures that require osteotomy, address a different jaw, or remove bone for another indication. The operative report should describe the lesion and approach, the removal performed, and any relevant pathology. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 21040

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 21040 runs from $428.07 in Arkansas to $621.15 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $544.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

21040 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$544.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$534.86−$9.43
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$522.41−$21.88
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$508.11−$36.18
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$550.40+$6.11
  6. Alaska · Alaska$570.64+$26.35
  7. Alabama · Alabama$433.88−$110.41

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

Every other payment area

21040 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$428.07$305.85
ArizonaArizona$467.82$329.95
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$504.13$348.18
Chico, CACalifornia$502.37$346.43
El Centro, CACalifornia$502.47$346.52
Fresno, CACalifornia$502.37$346.43
Hanford, CACalifornia$502.37$346.43
Madera, CACalifornia$502.37$346.43

21040 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.

$428.07

$570.64

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

View every state and territory as a table
21040 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$570.641
AL$433.881
AR$428.071
AZ$467.821
CA$502.37–$621.1529
CO$496.791
CT$510.431
DC$544.291
DE$475.181
FL$476.67–$522.413
GA$451.32–$489.222
GU$512.811
HI$512.811
IA$442.561
ID$445.561
IL$464.94–$508.114
IN$447.921
KS$441.371
KY$444.971
LA$444.61–$464.932
MA$494.44–$542.622
MD$483.56–$544.293
ME$448.50–$470.002
MI$456.39–$482.982
MN$474.811
MO$438.02–$465.603
MS$433.091
MT$479.931
NC$452.741
ND$468.271
NE$444.591
NH$489.821
NJ$515.91–$539.432
NM$459.011
NV$476.981
NY$459.10–$563.855
OH$454.001
OK$443.451
OR$472.92–$510.822
PA$454.26–$498.972
PR$482.981
RI$490.791
SC$454.191
SD$466.891
TN$443.521
TX$451.55–$495.468
UT$459.941
VA$469.07–$544.292
VI$482.981
VT$467.231
WA$493.26–$552.532
WI$453.721
WV$449.131
WY$474.851

See 21040 in every payment locality

How the 21040 rate is calculated

Each of 21040’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 · 21040

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.79

4.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.99

8.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.59

0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

14.3700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$479.97

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

1,850

Code
21040
Physician work
4.79
Practice expense
8.99
Malpractice
0.59

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 21040 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.79× 1.0545.0487
Practice expense8.99× 1.17810.5902
Malpractice0.59× 1.1130.6567
Total RVUs16.2955
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$544.29

Office: (4.79 × 1.054 + 8.99 × 1.178 + 0.59 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $544.29

Facility: (4.79 × 1.054 + 4.73 × 1.178 + 0.59 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $376.67

Open 21040 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 21040

21040 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 21040

Mandibular lesion excision, intraoral approach

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 · 21040

Mandibular lesion excision, intraoral approach

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

21040 without 51 · national office

$479.97

Mandibular lesion excision, intraoral approach

21040-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$239.99

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 21040

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

Codes related to 21040
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
21046Mandibular lesion excision, intraoral osteotomy requiredBenign mandibular lesion removal requiring an intraoral osteotomy.No office rate
21047Jaw cyst excision, lower jaw, intraoral approachBenign mandibular lesion removal requiring an extraoral osteotomy.No office rate
Used instead
21030Bone lesion excision, maxilla or zygoma, benignBenign tumor or cyst removal from the maxilla rather than the mandible.$539.56
21044Jaw tumor excision, mandible, intraoral approachFor a malignant mandibular tumor rather than a benign lesion.No office rate
21031Exostosis removal, mandibleRemoval of a mandibular exostosis rather than a tumor or cyst.$444.51

How 21040 has changed in Washington, DC area

21040 · Office / nonfacility

$544.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $25.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $518.74 to $544.29 (4.9%).

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

    $518.74changed to$544.29

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.91 changed to 4.79
    • Practice expense RVU 8.61 changed to 8.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.59
    • 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

    $529.48changed to$518.74

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.52 changed to 8.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $520.84changed to$529.48

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $547.88changed to$520.84

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.55 changed to 8.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48
    • 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

    $565.36changed to$547.88

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.57 changed to 8.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.49
    • 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

    $584.30changed to$565.36

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.89 changed to 8.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.44

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $595.30changed to$584.30

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.81 changed to 8.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45
    • 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

    $613.46changed to$595.30

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 9.01 changed to 8.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.82 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $622.33changed to$613.46

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 9.23 changed to 9.01

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $625.56changed to$622.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 9.33 changed to 9.23
    • 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

    $627.50changed to$625.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 9.38 changed to 9.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.83 changed to 0.82
    • 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

    $629.30changed to$627.50

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.82 changed to 0.83

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $626.17changed to$629.30

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $619.66changed to$626.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.72 changed to 0.82
    • 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

    $616.97changed to$619.66

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 10.13 changed to 9.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.75 changed to 0.72
    • 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: $616.97

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$544.29$376.67RVU26D
2026-07-01$544.29$376.67RVU26C
2026-04-01$544.29$376.67RVU26B
2026-01-01$544.29$376.67RVU26A
2025-10-01$518.74$404.61RVU25D
2025-07-01$518.74$404.61RVU25C
2025-04-01$518.74$404.61RVU25B
2025-01-01$518.74$404.61RVU25A
2024-10-01$529.48$409.26RVU24D
2024-07-01$529.48$409.26RVU24C
2024-04-01$529.48$409.26RVU24B
2024-03-09$529.48$409.26RVU24AR
2024-01-01$520.84$402.58RVU24A
2023-10-01$547.88$420.76RVU23D
2023-07-01$547.88$420.76RVU23C
2023-04-01$547.88$420.76RVU23B
2023-01-01$547.88$420.76RVU23A
2022-10-01$565.36$429.77RVU22D
2022-07-01$565.36$429.77RVU22C
2022-04-01$565.36$429.77RVU22B
2022-01-01$565.36$429.77RVU22A
2021-10-01$584.30$442.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$584.30$442.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$584.30$442.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$584.30$442.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$595.30$461.78RVU20D
2020-07-01$595.30$461.78RVU20C
2020-04-01$595.30$461.78RVU20B
2020-01-01$595.30$461.78RVU20A
2019-10-01$613.46$482.74RVU19D
2019-07-01$613.46$482.74RVU19C
2019-04-01$613.46$482.74RVU19B
2019-01-01$613.46$482.74RVU19A
2018-10-01$622.33$493.93RVU18D
2018-07-01$622.33$493.93RVU18C
2018-04-01$622.33$493.93RVU18B
2018-01-01$622.33$493.93RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$625.56$497.98RVU17D
2017-07-01$625.56$497.98RVU17C
2017-04-01$625.56$497.98RVU17B
2017-01-01$625.56$497.98RVU17A
2016-10-01$627.50$500.22RVU16D
2016-07-01$627.50$500.22RVU16C
2016-04-01$627.50$500.22RVU16B
2016-01-01$627.50$500.22RVU16A
2015-10-01$629.30$500.70RVU15D
2015-07-01$629.30$500.70RVU15C
2015-04-01$626.17$498.21RVU15B
2015-01-01$626.17$498.21RVU15A
2014-10-01$619.66$493.06RVU14D
2014-07-01$619.66$493.06RVU14C
2014-04-01$619.66$493.06RVU14B
2014-01-01$619.66$493.06RVU14A
2013-10-01$616.97$485.72RVU13D
2013-07-01$616.97$485.72RVU13C
2013-04-01$616.97$485.72RVU13B
2013-01-01$616.97$485.72RVU13AR

Price 21040 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

21040 billing questions

How is 21040 different from 21046?

21040 is for intraoral removal of a benign mandibular lesion without the osteotomy described for 21046. Report 21046 when the documented procedure requires that intraoral osteotomy.

Can 21040 be reported for a malignant mandibular lesion?

No. This code is for a benign lesion; a malignant mandibular tumor requires the code that describes the applicable malignant-tumor procedure.

What documentation supports 21040?

Document the mandibular location, benign lesion or cyst diagnosis, intraoral approach, and the removal performed. Include pathology findings when available.

Should modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment is not appropriate for this code, so do not report it with modifier 50.

How does the 90-day global period affect postoperative visits?

The day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the 90-day period are included in the surgical global package.

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

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery 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 21040PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,850 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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