CPT code 24102: Elbow synovectomy, open joint approach2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $578.84 for 24102 nationally in a facility.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 24102 covers

The surgeon opens the elbow joint and removes synovial tissue, typically to address clinically significant synovitis, such as persistent proliferative inflammation. An orthopedic surgeon generally performs this operation in a hospital or other surgical facility. The code describes an arthrotomy with synovectomy, not an isolated diagnostic sample or an arthroscopic procedure.

Select 24102 when the operative report supports removal of synovium as treatment; a limited synovial sample for diagnosis points to a different service. Document the affected elbow, surgical approach, reason for synovectomy, and work performed. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. For bilateral surgery, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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.

Where 24102 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

24102 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 24102 rate is calculated

Each of 24102’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 24102

24102 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

24102 compared with similar codes

How to choose

24100Elbow biopsySynovial tissue only

24100 is for elbow arthrotomy with synovial biopsy alone. Choose 24102 when synovium is removed as treatment.

24101Elbow arthrotomyExploration, biopsy, or removal

24101 covers elbow arthrotomy for exploration, biopsy, or removal of a loose or foreign body; 24102 is distinguished by synovectomy.

29835Elbow arthroscopyPartial synovectomy

29835 describes partial synovectomy performed arthroscopically. 24102 uses an arthrotomy approach.

29836Elbow arthroscopyComplete synovectomy

29836 describes major elbow synovectomy performed arthroscopically; 24102 is the arthrotomy service.

Codes related to 24102

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates