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CPT code 26010: Abscess drainage, finger, simple2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

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 Iowa, Medicare pays $342.77 for 26010 in the office and $132.19 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$342.77Office (non-facility)
$132.19Hospital or facility
−8.6%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 Iowa
  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 Iowa 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. Iowa pays $342.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

26010 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$342.77
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$431.53+$88.76
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$434.83+$92.06
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$402.26+$59.49
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$389.14+$46.37
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$434.75+$91.98
  7. Alaska · Alaska$417.19+$74.42

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

Every other payment area

26010 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$331.79$130.42
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

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 Iowa 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

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 26010 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.55× 1.0001.5500
Practice expense9.40× 0.9158.6010
Malpractice0.28× 0.3970.1112
Total RVUs10.2622
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$342.77

Office: (1.55 × 1 + 9.4 × 0.915 + 0.28 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $342.77

Facility: (1.55 × 1 + 2.51 × 0.915 + 0.28 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $132.19

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, Iowa
Same family
26011Finger abscess drainage, complicated abscessComplicated finger abscess drainage, including a felon.$471.85
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.$118.79

How 26010 has changed in Iowa

26010 · Office / nonfacility

$342.77

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $45.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $296.85 to $342.77 (15.5%).

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

    $296.85changed to$342.77

    • 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
    • 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

    $315.36changed to$296.85

    • 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

    $310.21changed to$315.36

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $322.19changed to$310.21

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.57 changed to 8.50
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $331.76changed to$322.19

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

    $316.63changed to$331.76

    • 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

    $282.79changed to$316.63

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $254.49changed to$282.79

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $248.82changed to$254.49

    • 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

    $245.04changed to$248.82

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

    $242.57changed to$245.04

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

    $243.62changed to$242.57

    • 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

    $242.41changed to$243.62

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $239.05changed to$242.41

    • 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
    • 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

    $245.69changed to$239.05

    • 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
    • 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: $245.69

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$342.77$132.19RVU26D
2026-07-01$342.77$132.19RVU26C
2026-04-01$342.77$132.19RVU26B
2026-01-01$342.77$132.19RVU26A
2025-10-01$296.85$127.63RVU25D
2025-07-01$296.85$127.63RVU25C
2025-04-01$296.85$127.63RVU25B
2025-01-01$296.85$127.63RVU25A
2024-10-01$315.36$131.19RVU24D
2024-07-01$315.36$131.19RVU24C
2024-04-01$315.36$131.19RVU24B
2024-03-09$315.36$131.19RVU24AR
2024-01-01$310.21$129.05RVU24A
2023-10-01$322.19$131.62RVU23D
2023-07-01$322.19$131.62RVU23C
2023-04-01$322.19$131.62RVU23B
2023-01-01$322.19$131.62RVU23A
2022-10-01$331.76$131.81RVU22D
2022-07-01$331.76$131.81RVU22C
2022-04-01$331.76$131.81RVU22B
2022-01-01$331.76$131.81RVU22A
2021-10-01$316.63$131.18RVU21D
2021-07-01$316.63$131.18RVU21C
2021-04-01$316.63$131.18RVU21B
2021-01-01$316.63$131.18RVU21A
2020-10-01$282.79$130.58RVU20D
2020-07-01$282.79$130.58RVU20C
2020-04-01$282.79$130.58RVU20B
2020-01-01$282.79$130.58RVU20A
2019-10-01$254.49$128.97RVU19D
2019-07-01$254.49$128.97RVU19C
2019-04-01$254.49$128.97RVU19B
2019-01-01$254.49$128.97RVU19A
2018-10-01$248.82$129.96RVU18D
2018-07-01$248.82$129.96RVU18C
2018-04-01$248.82$129.96RVU18B
2018-01-01$248.82$129.96RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$245.04$128.82RVU17D
2017-07-01$245.04$128.82RVU17C
2017-04-01$245.04$128.82RVU17B
2017-01-01$245.04$128.82RVU17A
2016-10-01$242.57$128.36RVU16D
2016-07-01$242.57$128.36RVU16C
2016-04-01$242.57$128.36RVU16B
2016-01-01$242.57$128.36RVU16A
2015-10-01$243.62$129.00RVU15D
2015-07-01$243.62$129.00RVU15C
2015-04-01$242.41$128.36RVU15B
2015-01-01$242.41$128.36RVU15A
2014-10-01$239.05$127.53RVU14D
2014-07-01$239.05$127.53RVU14C
2014-04-01$239.05$127.53RVU14B
2014-01-01$239.05$127.53RVU14A
2013-10-01$245.69$127.70RVU13D
2013-07-01$245.69$127.70RVU13C
2013-04-01$245.69$127.70RVU13B
2013-01-01$245.69$127.70RVU13AR

Price 26010 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

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 IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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