CPT code 21086: Auricular prosthesis, impression and preparation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

Report 21086 for the impression and preparation work involved in providing a custom external ear prosthesis after congenital absence, trauma, or surgical removal.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality15 Medicare services in 2024

In Iowa, Medicare pays $1,510.10 for 21086 in the office and $1,051.97 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,510.10Office (non-facility)
$1,051.97Hospital or facility
−7.2%vs the national office rate ($1,627.29)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 21086 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 21086 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Iowa
  2. What 21086 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 21086 covers

This service covers taking the impression and preparing a custom prosthesis to replace an external ear. It is used when an auricle is absent or has been removed, such as after cancer surgery or traumatic injury. A maxillofacial prosthodontist or another qualified clinician may perform the work, commonly in an office-based prosthetic practice. The service addresses the ear specifically, rather than an orbital, nasal, or broader facial defect.

Report 21086 for the auricular prosthesis impression and preparation service, supported by documentation of the affected site and the work performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period: the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 identifies bilateral work and is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery is paid only when medical necessity is documented; 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 Iowa compares for 21086

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 21086 runs from $1,480.38 in Arkansas to $2,038.17 in Alaska. Iowa pays $1,510.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

21086 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$1,510.10
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,762.18+$252.08
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,810.48+$300.38
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,797.96+$287.86
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,755.97+$245.87
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,850.59+$340.49
  7. Alaska · Alaska$2,038.17+$528.07

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

Every other payment area

21086 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$1,496.68$1,058.59
ArkansasArkansas$1,480.38$1,050.30
ArizonaArizona$1,591.55$1,106.39
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,676.22$1,127.48
Chico, CACalifornia$1,667.87$1,119.13
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,668.33$1,119.59
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,667.87$1,119.13
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,667.87$1,119.13

21086 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.

$1,480.38

$2,038.17

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

View every state and territory as a table
21086 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$2,038.171
AL$1,496.681
AR$1,480.381
AZ$1,591.551
CA$1,667.87–$1,994.0129
CO$1,663.211
CT$1,718.671
DC$1,810.481
DE$1,613.331
FL$1,641.77–$1,797.963
GA$1,566.71–$1,659.852
GU$1,687.781
HI$1,687.781
IA$1,510.101
ID$1,520.731
IL$1,616.14–$1,755.974
IN$1,527.001
KS$1,511.991
KY$1,539.001
LA$1,540.07–$1,597.072
MA$1,659.96–$1,790.982
MD$1,636.53–$1,810.483
ME$1,534.46–$1,586.752
MI$1,576.13–$1,665.162
MN$1,583.411
MO$1,524.87–$1,592.693
MS$1,502.481
MT$1,627.111
NC$1,545.451
ND$1,572.531
NE$1,514.141
NH$1,645.491
NJ$1,735.33–$1,800.582
NM$1,585.661
NV$1,612.621
NY$1,563.67–$1,895.145
OH$1,564.971
OK$1,529.181
OR$1,597.01–$1,697.112
PA$1,562.79–$1,689.392
PR$1,633.881
RI$1,656.651
SC$1,558.381
SD$1,566.081
TN$1,518.651
TX$1,555.51–$1,663.368
UT$1,574.401
VA$1,587.87–$1,810.482
VI$1,633.881
VT$1,574.501
WA$1,654.21–$1,815.472
WI$1,533.061
WV$1,572.081
WY$1,603.321

See 21086 in every payment locality

How the 21086 rate is calculated

Each of 21086’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 · 21086

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work24.26

24.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense21.70

21.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice2.76

2.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

48.7200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,627.29

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

The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,870

Code
21086
Physician work
24.26
Practice expense
21.70
Malpractice
2.76

GPCI2026.csv

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 21086 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work24.26× 1.00024.2600
Practice expense21.70× 0.91519.8555
Malpractice2.76× 0.3971.0957
Total RVUs45.2112
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$1510.10

Office: (24.26 × 1 + 21.7 × 0.915 + 2.76 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $1510.10

Facility: (24.26 × 1 + 6.71 × 0.915 + 2.76 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $1051.97

Open 21086 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 21086

21086 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 21086

Auricular prosthesis, impression and preparation

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
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 · 21086

Auricular prosthesis, impression and preparation

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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

21086 without 50 · national office

$1,627.29

Auricular prosthesis, impression and preparation

21086-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$2,440.94

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

How 21086 has changed in Iowa

21086 · Office / nonfacility

$1510.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $55.27 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1454.83 to $1510.10 (3.8%).

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

    $1454.83changed to$1510.10

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 24.88 changed to 24.26
    • Practice expense RVU 20.82 changed to 21.70
    • Malpractice RVU 2.38 changed to 2.76
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1468.13changed to$1454.83

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 19.86 changed to 20.82
    • Malpractice RVU 2.39 changed to 2.38

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1444.16changed to$1468.13

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1482.34changed to$1444.16

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 19.59 changed to 19.86
    • Malpractice RVU 2.35 changed to 2.39
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1493.49changed to$1482.34

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 19.12 changed to 19.59
    • Malpractice RVU 2.20 changed to 2.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1516.06changed to$1493.49

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 19.47 changed to 19.12
    • Malpractice RVU 2.14 changed to 2.20

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1606.12changed to$1516.06

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 20.64 changed to 19.47
    • Malpractice RVU 2.13 changed to 2.14
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1679.93changed to$1606.12

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 21.99 changed to 20.64
    • Malpractice RVU 4.23 changed to 2.13
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1732.97changed to$1679.93

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 23.68 changed to 21.99
    • Malpractice RVU 4.21 changed to 4.23

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1762.50changed to$1732.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 24.72 changed to 23.68
    • Malpractice RVU 4.22 changed to 4.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1772.98changed to$1762.50

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 25.16 changed to 24.72
    • Malpractice RVU 4.25 changed to 4.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $1779.89changed to$1772.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 25.22 changed to 25.16
    • Malpractice RVU 4.17 changed to 4.25

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1771.04changed to$1779.89

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1758.80changed to$1771.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 25.52 changed to 25.22
    • Malpractice RVU 3.06 changed to 4.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $1711.86changed to$1758.80

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 27.03 changed to 25.52
    • Malpractice RVU 3.20 changed to 3.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $1711.86

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,510.10$1,051.97RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,510.10$1,051.97RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,510.10$1,051.97RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,510.10$1,051.97RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,454.83$1,186.67RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,454.83$1,186.67RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,454.83$1,186.67RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,454.83$1,186.67RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,468.13$1,196.73RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,468.13$1,196.73RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,468.13$1,196.73RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,468.13$1,196.73RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,444.16$1,177.20RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,482.34$1,212.51RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,482.34$1,212.51RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,482.34$1,212.51RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,482.34$1,212.51RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,493.49$1,224.19RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,493.49$1,224.19RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,493.49$1,224.19RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,493.49$1,224.19RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,516.06$1,247.37RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,516.06$1,247.37RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,516.06$1,247.37RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,516.06$1,247.37RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,606.12$1,336.72RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,606.12$1,336.72RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,606.12$1,336.72RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,606.12$1,336.72RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,679.93$1,407.65RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,679.93$1,407.65RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,679.93$1,407.65RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,679.93$1,407.65RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,732.97$1,455.76RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,732.97$1,455.76RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,732.97$1,455.76RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,732.97$1,455.76RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,762.50$1,482.49RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,762.50$1,482.49RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,762.50$1,482.49RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,762.50$1,482.49RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,772.98$1,491.63RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,772.98$1,491.63RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,772.98$1,491.63RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,772.98$1,491.63RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,779.89$1,495.92RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,779.89$1,495.92RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,771.04$1,488.48RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,771.04$1,488.48RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,758.80$1,479.53RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,758.80$1,479.53RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,758.80$1,479.53RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,758.80$1,479.53RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,711.86$1,422.45RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,711.86$1,422.45RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,711.86$1,422.45RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,711.86$1,422.45RVU13AR

Price 21086 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

21086 billing questions

When should 21086 be chosen over 21088?

Use 21086 for an auricular, or external ear, prosthesis. Code 21088 addresses a facial prosthesis for a defect not described by a more specific site code.

Does 21086 cover the impression and preparation for an orbital or nasal prosthesis?

No. The site determines the code: 21077 is for an orbital prosthesis, and 21087 is for a nasal prosthesis.

What documentation supports reporting 21086?

Document the ear defect or absence and the impression and preparation work performed for the auricular prosthesis.

How does the 90-day global period affect reporting?

The day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care are included in the global period for 21086.

How is bilateral work handled?

CMS identifies 21086 as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted under the CMS rules for this code.

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 21086PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,870 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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