CPT code 26445: Tendon release, extensor, hand or finger2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Dakota
Reports surgical release of adhesions restricting an extensor tendon in the hand or finger, typically when limited tendon glide persists after injury or surgery.
In North Dakota, Medicare pays $588.42 for 26445 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 26445 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 26445 covers
Code 26445 represents surgical tenolysis of an extensor tendon in the hand or finger. A hand surgeon may perform it when scar tissue limits tendon glide and active movement, such as after a tendon injury, prior operation, or immobilization. The operative goal is to free the tendon from adhesions while preserving its function; this is different from repairing a torn tendon. The service is commonly performed in an operating room or outpatient surgery setting.
Select this code for the extensor tendon release and site documented in the operative report. Documentation should identify the affected tendon or tendons, the hand or finger location, the adhesions restricting motion, and the release performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued is paid in full and others are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is barred by statutory restriction, 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 North Dakota compares for 26445
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 26445 runs from $530.50 in Arkansas to $799.01 in San Benito County, CA. North Dakota pays $588.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Dakota · this page$588.42
- Los Angeles, CA · California$680.61+$92.19
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$692.78+$104.36
- Miami, FL · Florida$665.00+$76.58
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$643.97+$55.55
- Manhattan, NY · New York$700.43+$112.01
- Alaska · Alaska$693.02+$104.60
Other areas in North Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $538.83 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $530.50 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $587.50 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $638.30 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $636.12 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $737.83 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $677.16 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $644.92 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $667.70 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $665.24 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $681.25 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $780.87 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $779.93 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $799.01 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $795.15 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $654.57 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $688.00 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $667.83 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $694.92 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $736.47 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $635.98 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $628.22 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $646.89 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $597.63 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $632.91 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $599.82 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $617.81 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $563.53 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $652.43 |
| IowaIowa | — | $551.44 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $555.70 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $598.42 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $582.90 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $638.98 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $559.09 |
| KansasKansas | — | $549.65 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $554.56 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $583.16 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $554.02 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $691.63 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $624.49 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $645.33 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $609.25 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $559.83 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $590.77 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $608.78 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $570.86 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $597.91 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $577.89 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $584.20 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $544.52 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $537.58 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $604.83 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $565.92 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $554.37 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $619.15 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $685.06 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $653.14 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $574.59 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $600.69 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $719.61 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $658.29 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $705.08 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $575.05 |
| OhioOhio | — | $567.51 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $552.46 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $648.09 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $594.93 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $630.57 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $567.92 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $609.23 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $618.91 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $567.88 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $586.48 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $552.72 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $627.09 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $564.02 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $596.06 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $600.53 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $596.57 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $598.26 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $613.45 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $580.16 |
| UtahUtah | — | $576.13 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $589.39 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $609.23 |
| VermontVermont | — | $586.87 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $623.06 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $705.18 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $567.55 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $560.22 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $597.68 |
26445 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
How the 26445 rate is calculated
Each of 26445’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 · 26445
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work4.34
4.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense12.94
12.94 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.83
0.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
18.1100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$604.89
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Dakota inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
2,599
- Code
- 26445
- Physician work
- 4.34
- Practice expense
- 12.94
- Malpractice
- 0.83
GPCI2026.csv
84
- Locality
- North Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.406
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 4.34 | × 1.000 | 4.3400 |
| Practice expense | 12.94 | × 1.000 | 12.9400 |
| Malpractice | 0.83 | × 0.406 | 0.3370 |
| Total RVUs | 17.6170 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, North Dakota$588.42
Facility: (4.34 × 1 + 12.94 × 1 + 0.83 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $588.42
Payment rules and modifiers for 26445
26445 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 26445
Tendon release, extensor, hand or finger
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.69/0.21 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 26445
Tendon release, extensor, hand or finger
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
26445 without 51 · national facility
$604.89
Tendon release, extensor, hand or finger
26445-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$302.45
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%).
How 26445 has changed in North Dakota
26445 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
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
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $588.42 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $588.42 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $588.42 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $588.42 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $577.68 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $577.68 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $577.68 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $577.68 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $598.48 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $598.48 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $598.48 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $598.48 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $588.71 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $613.31 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $613.31 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $613.31 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $613.31 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $624.91 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $624.91 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $624.91 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $624.91 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $622.01 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $622.01 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $622.01 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $622.01 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $591.98 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $591.98 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $591.98 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $591.98 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $568.77 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $568.77 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $568.77 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $568.77 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $574.63 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $574.63 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $574.63 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $574.63 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $569.11 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $569.11 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $569.11 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $569.11 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $566.58 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $566.58 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $566.58 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $566.58 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $567.34 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $567.34 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $564.52 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $564.52 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $559.98 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $559.98 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $559.98 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $559.98 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $571.70 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $571.70 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $571.70 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $571.70 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Dakota rate applies
North Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 406 cities and communities in North Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abercrombie
- Adams
- Alamo
- Alexander
- Alice
- Almont
- Alsen
- Ambrose
26445 billing questions
How does this differ from code 26440?
Code 26445 is for extensor tendon adhesions in the hand or finger. Code 26440 addresses flexor tendon release in the palm or finger.
When is code 26449 a closer choice?
Use 26449 when the extensor tendon release is in the forearm or wrist. Code 26445 is for the hand or finger.
Is this code for tendon repair?
No. It represents freeing an extensor tendon restricted by adhesions. A repair code is considered when the tendon itself is injured and repaired.
What operative documentation supports reporting it?
Document the extensor tendon and hand or finger site, the adhesions limiting excursion, and the release performed. The operative note should distinguish this work from tendon repair.
Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral work?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inapplicable to this code and modifier 50 as inappropriate.
How do the global and assistant-surgery rules affect billing?
The code has a 90-day global period that includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. Assistant-at-surgery payment is barred by statutory restriction; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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
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