CPT code 21079: Obturator prosthesis, interim obturator2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
Reports impression and preparation of an interim obturator prosthesis, commonly used during healing after removal of part of the palate or upper jaw.
In Delaware, Medicare pays $1,508.25 for 21079 in the office and $1,028.43 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 21079 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 21079 covers
Code 21079 covers taking an impression and preparing an interim obturator prosthesis to help close a defect in the palate or upper jaw. A maxillofacial prosthodontist, dentist, or other qualified clinician may provide the service, often after maxillectomy while the surgical site is healing. The prosthesis can help separate the oral and nasal cavities and support speech and swallowing during this transitional period.
Choose this code for an interim obturator, rather than a surgical obturator placed at the time of surgery or a definitive obturator for longer-term use. Documentation should identify the defect, the interim purpose of the appliance, and the impression and preparation performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of 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; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and 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 Delaware compares for 21079
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 21079 runs from $1,380.31 in Arkansas to $1,892.89 in Alaska. Delaware pays $1,508.25. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Delaware · this page$1,508.25
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,652.86+$144.61
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,697.00+$188.75
- Miami, FL · Florida$1,681.09+$172.84
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,640.68+$132.43
- Manhattan, NY · New York$1,733.19+$224.94
- Alaska · Alaska$1,892.89+$384.64
Other areas in Delaware first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $1,396.02 | $971.07 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $1,380.31 | $963.14 |
| ArizonaArizona | $1,487.47 | $1,016.87 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $1,570.42 | $1,038.14 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $1,563.17 | $1,030.90 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $1,751.42 | $1,111.34 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $1,639.21 | $1,065.18 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $1,590.47 | $1,058.20 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $1,624.12 | $1,059.31 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $1,617.65 | $1,054.78 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $1,643.71 | $1,062.87 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $1,835.82 | $1,151.06 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $1,832.93 | $1,148.16 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $1,876.00 | $1,175.70 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $1,864.16 | $1,163.86 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $1,593.28 | $1,040.13 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $1,650.15 | $1,060.09 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $1,620.44 | $1,054.18 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $1,665.92 | $1,069.55 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $1,747.25 | $1,107.16 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $1,562.74 | $1,030.47 |
| ColoradoColorado | $1,557.26 | $1,040.53 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $1,608.84 | $1,085.79 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $1,599.80 | $1,107.83 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $1,533.34 | $1,069.06 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $1,552.41 | $1,058.99 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $1,461.41 | $1,028.21 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $1,583.17 | $1,030.99 |
| IowaIowa | $1,410.03 | $965.66 |
| IdahoIdaho | $1,420.05 | $973.25 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $1,551.30 | $1,104.50 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $1,507.92 | $1,064.52 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $1,611.76 | $1,112.99 |
| IndianaIndiana | $1,426.13 | $975.93 |
| KansasKansas | $1,411.33 | $972.30 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $1,435.68 | $1,003.94 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $1,491.43 | $1,034.44 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $1,436.51 | $1,006.71 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $1,679.92 | $1,100.06 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $1,553.71 | $1,042.33 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $1,605.39 | $1,084.29 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $1,530.55 | $1,039.07 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $1,432.74 | $985.94 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $1,483.93 | $1,002.65 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $1,555.32 | $1,086.67 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $1,470.95 | $1,027.56 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $1,482.38 | $982.64 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $1,476.47 | $1,020.45 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $1,487.83 | $1,025.49 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $1,421.54 | $1,002.91 |
| MississippiMississippi | $1,400.81 | $982.67 |
| MontanaMontana | $1,521.57 | $1,035.93 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $1,443.42 | $990.31 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $1,471.15 | $985.50 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $1,414.09 | $965.84 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $1,540.21 | $1,034.65 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $1,686.92 | $1,123.57 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $1,624.39 | $1,094.07 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $1,479.93 | $1,034.59 |
| NevadaNevada | $1,508.23 | $1,022.10 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $1,775.44 | $1,198.00 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $1,639.78 | $1,108.00 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $1,735.12 | $1,161.09 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $1,460.94 | $999.58 |
| OhioOhio | $1,460.65 | $1,017.25 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $1,426.77 | $993.09 |
| Portland, OROregon | $1,590.39 | $1,050.83 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $1,493.61 | $1,009.90 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $1,580.37 | $1,074.81 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $1,458.83 | $1,013.01 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $1,528.28 | $1,037.29 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $1,549.78 | $1,048.11 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $1,455.00 | $1,006.26 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $1,465.19 | $979.54 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $1,417.69 | $976.24 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $1,554.67 | $1,040.86 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $1,451.79 | $1,009.85 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $1,502.43 | $1,021.15 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $1,513.35 | $1,029.64 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $1,507.35 | $1,028.50 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $1,507.94 | $1,025.69 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $1,554.61 | $1,072.36 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $1,477.27 | $1,016.39 |
| UtahUtah | $1,470.45 | $1,013.94 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $1,484.63 | $1,007.24 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $1,528.28 | $1,037.29 |
| VermontVermont | $1,472.57 | $991.78 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $1,548.47 | $1,037.08 |
| King County, WAWashington | $1,703.68 | $1,107.78 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $1,432.98 | $967.73 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $1,465.43 | $1,043.40 |
| WyomingWyoming | $1,499.60 | $1,013.95 |
21079 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.
$1,380.31
$1,892.89
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 | $1,892.89 | 1 |
| AL | $1,396.02 | 1 |
| AR | $1,380.31 | 1 |
| AZ | $1,487.47 | 1 |
| CA | $1,562.74–$1,876.00 | 29 |
| CO | $1,557.26 | 1 |
| CT | $1,608.84 | 1 |
| DC | $1,697.00 | 1 |
| DE | $1,508.25 | 1 |
| FL | $1,533.34–$1,681.09 | 3 |
| GA | $1,461.41–$1,552.41 | 2 |
| GU | $1,583.17 | 1 |
| HI | $1,583.17 | 1 |
| IA | $1,410.03 | 1 |
| ID | $1,420.05 | 1 |
| IL | $1,507.92–$1,640.68 | 4 |
| IN | $1,426.13 | 1 |
| KS | $1,411.33 | 1 |
| KY | $1,435.68 | 1 |
| LA | $1,436.51–$1,491.43 | 2 |
| MA | $1,553.71–$1,679.92 | 2 |
| MD | $1,530.55–$1,697.00 | 3 |
| ME | $1,432.74–$1,483.93 | 2 |
| MI | $1,470.95–$1,555.32 | 2 |
| MN | $1,482.38 | 1 |
| MO | $1,421.54–$1,487.83 | 3 |
| MS | $1,400.81 | 1 |
| MT | $1,521.57 | 1 |
| NC | $1,443.42 | 1 |
| ND | $1,471.15 | 1 |
| NE | $1,414.09 | 1 |
| NH | $1,540.21 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,624.39–$1,686.92 | 2 |
| NM | $1,479.93 | 1 |
| NV | $1,508.23 | 1 |
| NY | $1,460.94–$1,775.44 | 5 |
| OH | $1,460.65 | 1 |
| OK | $1,426.77 | 1 |
| OR | $1,493.61–$1,590.39 | 2 |
| PA | $1,458.83–$1,580.37 | 2 |
| PR | $1,528.28 | 1 |
| RI | $1,549.78 | 1 |
| SC | $1,455.00 | 1 |
| SD | $1,465.19 | 1 |
| TN | $1,417.69 | 1 |
| TX | $1,451.79–$1,554.67 | 8 |
| UT | $1,470.45 | 1 |
| VA | $1,484.63–$1,697.00 | 2 |
| VI | $1,528.28 | 1 |
| VT | $1,472.57 | 1 |
| WA | $1,548.47–$1,703.68 | 2 |
| WI | $1,432.98 | 1 |
| WV | $1,465.43 | 1 |
| WY | $1,499.60 | 1 |
How the 21079 rate is calculated
Each of 21079’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 · 21079
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work21.75
21.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense21.26
21.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.55
2.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
45.5600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,521.75
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,863
- Code
- 21079
- Physician work
- 21.75
- Practice expense
- 21.26
- Malpractice
- 2.55
GPCI2026.csv
40
- Locality
- Delaware
- Physician work
- 1.005
- Practice expense
- 0.988
- Malpractice
- 0.899
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 21.75 | × 1.005 | 21.8587 |
| Practice expense | 21.26 | × 0.988 | 21.0049 |
| Malpractice | 2.55 | × 0.899 | 2.2925 |
| Total RVUs | 45.1561 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Delaware$1508.25
Office: (21.75 × 1.005 + 21.26 × 0.988 + 2.55 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $1508.25
Facility: (21.75 × 1.005 + 6.72 × 0.988 + 2.55 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $1028.43
Payment rules and modifiers for 21079
21079 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 21079
Obturator prosthesis, interim obturator
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.69/0.21 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 21079
Obturator prosthesis, interim obturator
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.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
21079 without 51 · national office
$1,521.75
Obturator prosthesis, interim obturator
21079-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$760.88
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%).
How 21079 has changed in Delaware
21079 · Office / nonfacility
$1508.25
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $64.64 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1443.61 to $1508.25 (4.5%).
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
$1443.61changed to$1508.25
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 22.31 changed to 21.75
- Practice expense RVU 20.25 changed to 21.26
- Malpractice RVU 2.14 changed to 2.55
- Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
- Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
- Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$1447.28changed to$1443.61
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 19.07 changed to 20.25
- Malpractice RVU 2.16 changed to 2.14
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$1423.65changed to$1447.28
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$1464.85changed to$1423.65
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 18.67 changed to 19.07
- Malpractice RVU 2.09 changed to 2.16
- Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
- Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
- Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$1484.87changed to$1464.85
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 18.24 changed to 18.67
- Malpractice RVU 1.99 changed to 2.09
- Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
- Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
- Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$1500.98changed to$1484.87
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 18.41 changed to 18.24
- Malpractice RVU 1.92 changed to 1.99
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$1594.24changed to$1500.98
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 19.37 changed to 18.41
- Malpractice RVU 1.91 changed to 1.92
- Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
- Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
- Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$1717.51changed to$1594.24
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 20.57 changed to 19.37
- Malpractice RVU 3.78 changed to 1.91
- Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
- Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
- Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$1764.71changed to$1717.51
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 21.93 changed to 20.57
- Malpractice RVU 3.76 changed to 3.78
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$1793.40changed to$1764.71
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 22.73 changed to 21.93
- Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
- Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
- Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$1805.12changed to$1793.40
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 23.01 changed to 22.73
- Malpractice RVU 3.80 changed to 3.76
- Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
- Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
- Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$1811.16changed to$1805.12
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 23.06 changed to 23.01
- Malpractice RVU 3.74 changed to 3.80
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$1802.14changed to$1811.16
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$1755.04changed to$1802.14
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 23.13 changed to 23.06
- Malpractice RVU 2.74 changed to 3.74
- Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
- Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$1713.61changed to$1755.04
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 24.77 changed to 23.13
- Malpractice RVU 2.87 changed to 2.74
- Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
- Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $1713.61
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $1,508.25 | $1,028.43 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $1,508.25 | $1,028.43 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $1,508.25 | $1,028.43 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $1,508.25 | $1,028.43 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $1,443.61 | $1,153.54 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $1,443.61 | $1,153.54 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $1,443.61 | $1,153.54 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $1,443.61 | $1,153.54 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $1,447.28 | $1,160.32 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $1,447.28 | $1,160.32 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $1,447.28 | $1,160.32 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $1,447.28 | $1,160.32 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $1,423.65 | $1,141.38 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $1,464.85 | $1,178.21 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $1,464.85 | $1,178.21 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $1,464.85 | $1,178.21 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $1,464.85 | $1,178.21 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $1,484.87 | $1,194.15 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $1,484.87 | $1,194.15 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $1,484.87 | $1,194.15 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $1,484.87 | $1,194.15 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $1,500.98 | $1,216.05 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $1,500.98 | $1,216.05 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $1,500.98 | $1,216.05 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $1,500.98 | $1,216.05 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $1,594.24 | $1,310.52 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $1,594.24 | $1,310.52 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $1,594.24 | $1,310.52 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $1,594.24 | $1,310.52 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $1,717.51 | $1,430.70 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $1,717.51 | $1,430.70 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $1,717.51 | $1,430.70 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $1,717.51 | $1,430.70 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $1,764.71 | $1,473.08 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $1,764.71 | $1,473.08 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $1,764.71 | $1,473.08 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $1,764.71 | $1,473.08 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $1,793.40 | $1,493.59 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $1,793.40 | $1,493.59 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $1,793.40 | $1,493.59 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $1,793.40 | $1,493.59 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $1,805.12 | $1,501.32 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $1,805.12 | $1,501.32 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $1,805.12 | $1,501.32 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $1,805.12 | $1,501.32 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $1,811.16 | $1,503.66 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $1,811.16 | $1,503.66 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $1,802.14 | $1,496.18 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $1,802.14 | $1,496.18 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $1,755.04 | $1,450.88 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $1,755.04 | $1,450.88 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $1,755.04 | $1,450.88 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $1,755.04 | $1,450.88 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $1,713.61 | $1,395.35 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $1,713.61 | $1,395.35 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $1,713.61 | $1,395.35 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $1,713.61 | $1,395.35 | RVU13AR |
Where the Delaware rate applies
Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Arden
- Ardencroft
- Ardentown
- Bear
- Bellefonte
- Bethany Beach
- Bethel
- Blades
21079 billing questions
How is an interim obturator different from a surgical obturator?
Use 21079 for an interim prosthesis used during healing. Code 21076 describes impression and preparation for a surgical obturator.
How does an interim obturator differ from a definitive obturator?
Code 21079 is for the transitional appliance used during healing; 21080 is for a definitive obturator.
Can the impression and prosthesis preparation be billed separately?
The code represents the impression and preparation service for the interim obturator. Do not separately report those same included steps as independent services.
Should modifier 50 be appended for a bilateral defect?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, and modifier 50 should not be used.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be paid for this service?
CMS applies a statutory restriction to assistant-at-surgery payment and does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery for this code.
What happens when this service is performed with another procedure in the same session?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%.
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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