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CPT code 26010: Abscess drainage, finger, simple2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports simple incision and drainage of a localized finger abscess, rather than complicated drainage or a procedure involving a tendon sheath or palm bursa.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $434.83 for 26010 in the office and $163.74 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$434.83Office (non-facility)
$163.74Hospital or facility
+15.9%vs the national office rate ($375.09)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 26010 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 26010 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 26010 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 26010 covers

This service opens and drains a localized abscess in a finger. It is commonly performed by a hand surgeon, emergency physician, or other clinician treating an acute finger infection in an office, emergency department, or operating setting. The work is directed at the abscess itself, not drainage of an infected tendon sheath or palm bursa.

Report 26010 when the documented procedure is simple finger abscess drainage. Identify the finger and abscess site, and document the drainage performed; a felon or another complicated finger abscess may support 26011 instead. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, 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 Washington, DC area compares for 26010

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 26010 runs from $326.29 in Arkansas to $515.22 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $434.83. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

26010 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$434.83
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$431.53−$3.30
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$402.26−$32.57
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$389.14−$45.69
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$434.75−$0.08
  6. Alaska · Alaska$417.19−$17.64
  7. Alabama · Alabama$331.79−$103.04

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

Every other payment area

26010 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$326.29$128.60
ArizonaArizona$364.01$141.01
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$402.56$150.34
Chico, CACalifornia$401.77$149.55
El Centro, CACalifornia$401.82$149.60
Fresno, CACalifornia$401.77$149.55
Hanford, CACalifornia$401.77$149.55
Madera, CACalifornia$401.77$149.55

26010 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.

$326.29

$458.50

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

View every state and territory as a table
26010 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$417.191
AL$331.791
AR$326.291
AZ$364.011
CA$401.77–$515.2229
CO$393.761
CT$402.271
DC$434.831
DE$370.641
FL$365.98–$402.263
GA$342.98–$382.152
GU$414.171
HI$414.171
IA$342.771
ID$345.051
IL$353.04–$391.154
IN$347.371
KS$340.311
KY$339.451
LA$338.59–$357.842
MA$390.66–$437.102
MD$378.61–$434.833
ME$346.44–$368.822
MI$348.98–$370.522
MN$377.611
MO$331.52–$360.043
MS$329.011
MT$375.071
NC$350.681
ND$369.541
NE$345.101
NH$386.801
NJ$406.96–$429.222
NM$350.911
NV$373.841
NY$356.62–$445.765
OH$347.851
OK$339.411
OR$371.06–$408.382
PA$348.83–$390.702
PR$378.411
RI$385.431
SC$349.831
SD$368.881
TN$342.191
TX$346.17–$392.348
UT$355.301
VA$367.01–$434.832
VI$378.411
VT$367.331
WA$390.17–$447.242
WI$355.431
WV$337.991
WY$372.661

See 26010 in every payment locality

How the 26010 rate is calculated

Each of 26010’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 · 26010

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.55

1.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense9.40

9.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.28

0.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.2300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$375.09

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

2,527

Code
26010
Physician work
1.55
Practice expense
9.40
Malpractice
0.28

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 26010 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.55× 1.0541.6337
Practice expense9.40× 1.17811.0732
Malpractice0.28× 1.1130.3116
Total RVUs13.0185
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$434.83

Office: (1.55 × 1.054 + 9.4 × 1.178 + 0.28 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $434.83

Facility: (1.55 × 1.054 + 2.51 × 1.178 + 0.28 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $163.74

Open 26010 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 26010

26010 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 26010

Abscess drainage, finger, simple

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 26010

Abscess drainage, finger, simple

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

26010 without 51 · national office

$375.09

Abscess drainage, finger, simple

26010-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$187.55

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 26010

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

Codes related to 26010
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
26011Finger abscess drainage, complicated abscessComplicated finger abscess drainage, including a felon.$599.12
Used instead
26020Tendon sheath drainage, hand, infectious tenosynovitisFor drainage involving a hand tendon sheath rather than a finger abscess.No office rate
26025Palm bursa drainage, single bursaFor drainage of a palm bursa rather than a finger abscess.No office rate
10060Abscess drainage, simple, single abscessGeneral simple abscess drainage code; 26010 identifies the finger-specific service.$146.27

How 26010 has changed in Washington, DC area

26010 · Office / nonfacility

$434.83

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $54.88 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $379.95 to $434.83 (14.4%).

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

    $379.95changed to$434.83

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.59 changed to 1.55
    • Practice expense RVU 8.17 changed to 9.40
    • 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

    $403.71changed to$379.95

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.50 changed to 8.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $397.12changed to$403.71

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $420.72changed to$397.12

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.57 changed to 8.50
    • 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

    $441.79changed to$420.72

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.69 changed to 8.57
    • 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

    $420.84changed to$441.79

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.13 changed to 8.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $370.52changed to$420.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.76 changed to 8.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • 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

    $327.40changed to$370.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.93 changed to 6.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.27
    • 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

    $320.12changed to$327.40

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.76 changed to 5.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $316.36changed to$320.12

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.69 changed to 5.76
    • 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

    $314.57changed to$316.36

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.66 changed to 5.69
    • 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

    $316.16changed to$314.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $314.59changed to$316.16

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $310.44changed to$314.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.56 changed to 5.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.24
    • 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

    $320.24changed to$310.44

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.21 changed to 5.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • 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: $320.24

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$434.83$163.74RVU26D
2026-07-01$434.83$163.74RVU26C
2026-04-01$434.83$163.74RVU26B
2026-01-01$434.83$163.74RVU26A
2025-10-01$379.95$159.02RVU25D
2025-07-01$379.95$159.02RVU25C
2025-04-01$379.95$159.02RVU25B
2025-01-01$379.95$159.02RVU25A
2024-10-01$403.71$163.26RVU24D
2024-07-01$403.71$163.26RVU24C
2024-04-01$403.71$163.26RVU24B
2024-03-09$403.71$163.26RVU24AR
2024-01-01$397.12$160.59RVU24A
2023-10-01$420.72$166.48RVU23D
2023-07-01$420.72$166.48RVU23C
2023-04-01$420.72$166.48RVU23B
2023-01-01$420.72$166.48RVU23A
2022-10-01$441.79$169.32RVU22D
2022-07-01$441.79$169.32RVU22C
2022-04-01$441.79$169.32RVU22B
2022-01-01$441.79$169.32RVU22A
2021-10-01$420.84$168.12RVU21D
2021-07-01$420.84$168.12RVU21C
2021-04-01$420.84$168.12RVU21B
2021-01-01$420.84$168.12RVU21A
2020-10-01$370.52$165.62RVU20D
2020-07-01$370.52$165.62RVU20C
2020-04-01$370.52$165.62RVU20B
2020-01-01$370.52$165.62RVU20A
2019-10-01$327.40$160.64RVU19D
2019-07-01$327.40$160.64RVU19C
2019-04-01$327.40$160.64RVU19B
2019-01-01$327.40$160.64RVU19A
2018-10-01$320.12$162.22RVU18D
2018-07-01$320.12$162.22RVU18C
2018-04-01$320.12$162.22RVU18B
2018-01-01$320.12$162.22RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$316.36$161.11RVU17D
2017-07-01$316.36$161.11RVU17C
2017-04-01$316.36$161.11RVU17B
2017-01-01$316.36$161.11RVU17A
2016-10-01$314.57$160.98RVU16D
2016-07-01$314.57$160.98RVU16C
2016-04-01$314.57$160.98RVU16B
2016-01-01$314.57$160.98RVU16A
2015-10-01$316.16$162.02RVU15D
2015-07-01$316.16$162.02RVU15C
2015-04-01$314.59$161.21RVU15B
2015-01-01$314.59$161.21RVU15A
2014-10-01$310.44$160.16RVU14D
2014-07-01$310.44$160.16RVU14C
2014-04-01$310.44$160.16RVU14B
2014-01-01$310.44$160.16RVU14A
2013-10-01$320.24$160.87RVU13D
2013-07-01$320.24$160.87RVU13C
2013-04-01$320.24$160.87RVU13B
2013-01-01$320.24$160.87RVU13AR

Price 26010 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

26010 billing questions

When should 26011 be reported instead?

Use 26011 for complicated finger abscess drainage, including a felon. Use 26010 for simple drainage when the documented work supports that level.

How does 26010 differ from 26020?

26010 treats an abscess in the finger. 26020 is for drainage involving a hand tendon sheath, a distinct anatomic structure and service.

Are related postoperative visits separately reported?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in 26010.

Can modifier 50 be used for abscesses on two fingers?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code. Document the work and sites treated; do not use modifier 50.

What happens if another procedure is performed in the same session?

Under the standard multiple-procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery 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 26010PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,527 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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