CPT code 25830: DRUJ arthrodesis, with segmental ulnar resection2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $970.63 for 25830 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 25830 covers

This procedure fuses the distal radioulnar joint and removes a segment of the ulna, creating a proximal space that permits forearm rotation while stabilizing the joint. It is commonly used for painful distal radioulnar joint arthritis or dysfunction, including problems following trauma. An orthopedic or hand surgeon typically performs the operation in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. The procedure is also known as the Sauvé-Kapandji operation.

Report the code when the operative record supports both distal radioulnar joint fusion and segmental ulnar resection; it is distinct from fusion of the wrist joint itself. Documentation should identify the treated joint, the reason for surgery, and the fusion and resection performed. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; co-surgeons are paid only with 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 25830 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

25830 rates by state

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

How the 25830 rate is calculated

Each of 25830’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 25830

25830 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

25830 compared with similar codes

How to choose

25800Wrist fusionComplete, without graft

Use 25800 for complete fusion of the wrist without graft. Code 25830 describes distal radioulnar joint fusion with segmental resection of the ulna.

25820Wrist fusionLimited, no bone graft

Code 25820 describes limited wrist fusion without bone graft. Code 25830 addresses the distal radioulnar joint and includes ulnar segment resection.

25825Wrist fusionLimited, with autograft

Code 25825 is wrist fusion using autograft. Choose 25830 when the operation fuses the distal radioulnar joint and includes segmental ulnar resection.

Codes related to 25830

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