FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 24220: Arthrographic injection, elbow joint2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Injection of contrast into the elbow joint for arthrographic imaging, reported when the joint is prepared for radiographic or cross-sectional evaluation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality184 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $213.97 for 24220 in the office and $60.52 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$213.97Office (non-facility)
$60.52Hospital or facility
+14.8%vs the national office rate ($186.38)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 24220 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 24220 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 24220 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 24220 covers

For code 24220, a clinician places contrast into the elbow joint space to outline its structures during arthrographic imaging. Radiologists and orthopedic clinicians commonly perform the injection in an imaging department or procedure setting. The resulting study may use radiographs or cross-sectional imaging to evaluate the joint. This is an imaging-preparation injection, not a therapeutic injection intended to treat elbow pain or inflammation.

Report the injection when the record supports intra-articular contrast placement for an elbow arthrogram, including the joint treated, laterality, and imaging purpose. The associated imaging service, such as elbow arthrography, is reported separately when performed and documented. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral reporting with modifier 50, CMS pays 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeon and team-surgery payment 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 24220

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 24220 runs from $164.63 in Arkansas to $250.63 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $213.97. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

24220 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$213.97
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$212.16−$1.81
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$198.73−$15.24
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$193.00−$20.97
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$214.22+$0.25
  6. Alaska · Alaska$214.86+$0.89
  7. Alabama · Alabama$167.08−$46.89

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

Every other payment area

24220 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$164.63$52.74
ArizonaArizona$181.43$55.21
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$198.86$56.09
Chico, CACalifornia$198.46$55.69
El Centro, CACalifornia$198.48$55.71
Fresno, CACalifornia$198.46$55.69
Hanford, CACalifornia$198.46$55.69
Madera, CACalifornia$198.46$55.69

24220 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.

$164.63

$224.55

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

View every state and territory as a table
24220 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$214.861
AL$167.081
AR$164.631
AZ$181.431
CA$198.46–$250.6329
CO$194.851
CT$198.871
DC$213.971
DE$184.481
FL$182.43–$198.733
GA$172.17–$189.612
GU$203.631
HI$203.631
IA$171.921
ID$172.951
IL$176.70–$193.794
IN$173.981
KS$170.851
KY$170.551
LA$170.18–$178.752
MA$193.56–$214.672
MD$188.12–$213.973
ME$173.59–$183.522
MI$174.82–$184.482
MN$187.361
MO$167.04–$179.703
MS$165.881
MT$186.371
NC$175.481
ND$183.801
NE$172.951
NH$191.541
NJ$201.32–$211.652
NM$175.691
NV$185.791
NY$178.12–$219.165
OH$174.291
OK$170.511
OR$184.53–$201.412
PA$174.72–$193.702
PR$187.841
RI$191.321
SC$175.141
SD$183.491
TN$171.691
TX$173.53–$194.058
UT$177.581
VA$182.73–$213.972
VI$187.841
VT$182.841
WA$193.28–$219.342
WI$177.521
WV$170.001
WY$185.251

See 24220 in every payment locality

How the 24220 rate is calculated

Each of 24220’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 · 24220

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.28

1.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.17

4.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.13

0.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.5800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$186.38

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

2,291

Code
24220
Physician work
1.28
Practice expense
4.17
Malpractice
0.13

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 24220 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.28× 1.0541.3491
Practice expense4.17× 1.1784.9123
Malpractice0.13× 1.1130.1447
Total RVUs6.4061
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$213.97

Office: (1.28 × 1.054 + 4.17 × 1.178 + 0.13 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $213.97

Facility: (1.28 × 1.054 + 0.27 × 1.178 + 0.13 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $60.52

Open 24220 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 24220

The CMS indicators that decide how 24220 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 24220

Arthrographic injection, elbow joint

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

24220 without 50 · national office

$186.38

Arthrographic injection, elbow joint

24220-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$279.57

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

Codes related to 24220

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

Codes related to 24220
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Often billed with
73085Contrast X-ray, elbow arthrographyReports the radiographic elbow arthrography study performed with the injection.$111.04
Same family
23350Shoulder injection, for diagnostic imagingArthrographic injection code for the shoulder rather than the elbow.$180.67
25246Wrist injection, arthrographyArthrographic injection code for the wrist rather than the elbow.$214.98

How 24220 has changed in Washington, DC area

24220 · Office / nonfacility

$213.97

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.26 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $209.71 to $213.97 (2.0%).

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

    $209.71changed to$213.97

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.31 changed to 1.28
    • Practice expense RVU 4.15 changed to 4.17
    • 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

    $218.99changed to$209.71

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.23 changed to 4.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $215.41changed to$218.99

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $230.44changed to$215.41

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.32 changed to 4.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • 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

    $241.36changed to$230.44

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.40 changed to 4.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $239.09changed to$241.36

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.28 changed to 4.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $217.29changed to$239.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.68 changed to 4.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $197.23changed to$217.29

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.28 changed to 3.68
    • 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

    $186.62changed to$197.23

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.03 changed to 3.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $187.97changed to$186.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.07 changed to 3.03
    • 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

    $189.86changed to$187.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.12 changed to 3.07
    • 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

    $191.01changed to$189.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $190.06changed to$191.01

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $186.64changed to$190.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.08 changed to 3.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $188.73changed to$186.64

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.37 changed to 3.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • 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: $188.73

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$213.97$60.52RVU26D
2026-07-01$213.97$60.52RVU26C
2026-04-01$213.97$60.52RVU26B
2026-01-01$213.97$60.52RVU26A
2025-10-01$209.71$70.14RVU25D
2025-07-01$209.71$70.14RVU25C
2025-04-01$209.71$70.14RVU25B
2025-01-01$209.71$70.14RVU25A
2024-10-01$218.99$71.78RVU24D
2024-07-01$218.99$71.78RVU24C
2024-04-01$218.99$71.78RVU24B
2024-03-09$218.99$71.78RVU24AR
2024-01-01$215.41$70.61RVU24A
2023-10-01$230.44$74.11RVU23D
2023-07-01$230.44$74.11RVU23C
2023-04-01$230.44$74.11RVU23B
2023-01-01$230.44$74.11RVU23A
2022-10-01$241.36$74.97RVU22D
2022-07-01$241.36$74.97RVU22C
2022-04-01$241.36$74.97RVU22B
2022-01-01$241.36$74.97RVU22A
2021-10-01$239.09$76.93RVU21D
2021-07-01$239.09$76.93RVU21C
2021-04-01$239.09$76.93RVU21B
2021-01-01$239.09$76.93RVU21A
2020-10-01$217.29$78.04RVU20D
2020-07-01$217.29$78.04RVU20C
2020-04-01$217.29$78.04RVU20B
2020-01-01$217.29$78.04RVU20A
2019-10-01$197.23$77.37RVU19D
2019-07-01$197.23$77.37RVU19C
2019-04-01$197.23$77.37RVU19B
2019-01-01$197.23$77.37RVU19A
2018-10-01$186.62$78.17RVU18D
2018-07-01$186.62$78.17RVU18C
2018-04-01$186.62$78.17RVU18B
2018-01-01$186.62$78.17RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$187.97$78.55RVU17D
2017-07-01$187.97$78.55RVU17C
2017-04-01$187.97$78.55RVU17B
2017-01-01$187.97$78.55RVU17A
2016-10-01$189.86$78.98RVU16D
2016-07-01$189.86$78.98RVU16C
2016-04-01$189.86$78.98RVU16B
2016-01-01$189.86$78.98RVU16A
2015-10-01$191.01$79.29RVU15D
2015-07-01$191.01$79.29RVU15C
2015-04-01$190.06$78.90RVU15B
2015-01-01$190.06$78.90RVU15A
2014-10-01$186.64$77.71RVU14D
2014-07-01$186.64$77.71RVU14C
2014-04-01$186.64$77.71RVU14B
2014-01-01$186.64$77.71RVU14A
2013-10-01$188.73$74.19RVU13D
2013-07-01$188.73$74.19RVU13C
2013-04-01$188.73$74.19RVU13B
2013-01-01$188.73$74.19RVU13AR

Price 24220 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

24220 billing questions

How is 24220 different from an elbow therapeutic injection?

Use 24220 when contrast is injected into the elbow joint to support arthrographic imaging. A therapeutic injection is performed to treat symptoms rather than outline the joint for imaging.

Can the elbow imaging study be reported separately?

Yes. The imaging service, such as elbow arthrography reported with 73085, is separate from the contrast injection when that imaging service is performed and documented.

What documentation supports 24220?

Document the elbow and laterality, intra-articular contrast placement, and the arthrographic imaging purpose. The record should also support the imaging service reported with the injection.

How does CMS handle bilateral reporting?

CMS pays a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50 at 150%. The documentation should support arthrographic injections in both elbows.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect payment?

When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the remaining procedures are paid at 50% under the standard multiple-procedure reduction.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. CMS does not permit co-surgeon or team-surgery payment 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 24220PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,291 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 24220 pays in Washington, DC area?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets

Put 24220 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Build my fee sheet