CPT code 26546: Metacarpal repair, nonunion or malunion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
Surgical repair of a metacarpal fracture that has failed to unite or healed in a deformity, with bone grafting when needed.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $959.33 for 26546 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 26546 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 26546 covers
A hand surgeon uses this service to address a metacarpal fracture that has not united or has healed in a position that impairs hand function. The operation may involve preparing the fracture site, restoring alignment, and stabilizing the bone; bone graft may be used when needed. Typical cases include a symptomatic fracture nonunion or a malunion that affects finger alignment, grip, or hand use. These repairs are generally performed in an operating room.
Report the code for repair of the established metacarpal nonunion or malunion, rather than treatment of an acute fracture. The operative note should identify the metacarpal, describe the nonunion or deformity and its functional significance, and document the repair and fixation; include graft use when performed. Bone graft use is included in this service. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. 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% reduction. Modifier 50 applies to bilateral reporting, paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made; 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 New Mexico compares for 26546
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 26546 runs from $879.80 in Arkansas to $1,254.17 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $959.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$959.33
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,090.02+$130.69
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,122.04+$162.71
- Miami, FL · Florida$1,120.00+$160.67
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,086.05+$126.72
- Manhattan, NY · New York$1,148.31+$188.98
- Alaska · Alaska$1,176.66+$217.33
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $892.42 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $879.80 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $965.86 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $1,028.69 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.39 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $1,164.63 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $1,082.10 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $1,044.80 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $1,068.16 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $1,064.10 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $1,085.36 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $1,225.34 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $1,223.05 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $1,254.17 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $1,244.79 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $1,047.70 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $1,092.67 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $1,067.06 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $1,103.30 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $1,161.33 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $1,023.06 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $1,019.48 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $1,058.70 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $981.41 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $1,055.31 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $1,002.06 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $1,017.13 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $944.40 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $1,043.46 |
| IowaIowa | — | $903.94 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $911.93 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $1,015.90 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $981.46 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $1,063.37 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $916.82 |
| KansasKansas | — | $904.85 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $923.99 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $968.70 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $924.60 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $1,111.58 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $1,015.67 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $1,056.82 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $998.22 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $921.99 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $963.29 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $1,019.57 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $952.18 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $962.47 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $956.83 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $965.97 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $912.49 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $896.06 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $993.21 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $930.58 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $953.27 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $907.24 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $1,008.41 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,111.86 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,066.73 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $982.65 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $1,182.07 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $1,077.83 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $1,150.05 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $944.65 |
| OhioOhio | — | $944.02 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $916.97 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $1,045.33 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $971.01 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $1,036.21 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $942.63 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $998.64 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $1,011.67 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $939.66 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $948.54 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $909.95 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $1,019.60 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $936.97 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $976.16 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $984.64 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $979.79 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $980.55 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $1,017.52 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $957.57 |
| UtahUtah | — | $952.07 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $963.76 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $998.64 |
| VermontVermont | — | $954.28 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $1,012.18 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $1,128.74 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $922.58 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $947.34 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $975.80 |
26546 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 26546 rate is calculated
Each of 26546’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 · 26546
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work10.56
10.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense17.16
17.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.02
2.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
29.7400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$993.34
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
2,638
- Code
- 26546
- Physician work
- 10.56
- Practice expense
- 17.16
- Malpractice
- 2.02
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 10.56 | × 1.000 | 10.5600 |
| Practice expense | 17.16 | × 0.917 | 15.7357 |
| Malpractice | 2.02 | × 1.201 | 2.4260 |
| Total RVUs | 28.7217 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, New Mexico$959.33
Facility: (10.56 × 1 + 17.16 × 0.917 + 2.02 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $959.33
Payment rules and modifiers for 26546
26546 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 26546
Metacarpal repair, nonunion or malunion
| 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) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| 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 · 26546
Metacarpal repair, nonunion or malunion
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 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
26546 without 50 · national facility
$993.34
Metacarpal repair, nonunion or malunion
26546-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,490.01
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).
How 26546 has changed in New Mexico
26546 · 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 | $959.33 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $959.33 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $959.33 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $959.33 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $981.58 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $981.58 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $981.58 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $981.58 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,003.88 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,003.88 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,003.88 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $1,003.88 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $987.49 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,016.68 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,016.68 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,016.68 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,016.68 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,024.25 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,024.25 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,024.25 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,024.25 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,013.86 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,013.86 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,013.86 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,013.86 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,005.35 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,005.35 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,005.35 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,005.35 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $987.20 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $987.20 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $987.20 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $987.20 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $988.44 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $988.44 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $988.44 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $988.44 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $979.86 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $979.86 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $979.86 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $979.86 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $970.04 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $970.04 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $970.04 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $970.04 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $976.51 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $976.51 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $971.65 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $971.65 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $952.94 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $952.94 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $952.94 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $952.94 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $951.06 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $951.06 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $951.06 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $951.06 | RVU13AR |
Where the New Mexico rate applies
New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abeytas
- Abiquiu
- Acomita Lake
- Adelino
- Agua Fria
- Alamillo
- Alamo
- Alamogordo
26546 billing questions
How is this different from open treatment of an acute metacarpal fracture?
This code is for repair of an established nonunion or malunion. Open treatment of an acute metacarpal fracture is considered under 26615.
Is bone grafting separately required to report this code?
No. The repair includes bone grafting when it is performed; document the graft use and the repair in the operative note.
What documentation supports reporting this repair?
Document the metacarpal involved, the established nonunion or malunion, the resulting symptoms or functional problem, and the operative correction and stabilization.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
CMS permits payment for an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon and team-surgery payment are not permitted.
How does CMS handle bilateral procedures or other procedures in the same session?
Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. For multiple procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to a 50% reduction.
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
Fee sheets · Coming soon
Put 26546 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Join the waitlist