CPT code 27648: Arthrogram injection, ankle joint2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Bakersfield, CA
Reports intra-articular contrast injection into the ankle to prepare for arthrographic imaging when clinicians need to evaluate joint structures.
In Bakersfield, CA, Medicare pays $221.90 for 27648 in the office and $43.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 27648 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 27648 covers
A physician, commonly a radiologist, places a needle or catheter into the ankle joint and injects contrast for an arthrogram. The injection precedes imaging used to assess the joint, such as radiography, CT, or MRI. Ankle arthrography may be requested to evaluate suspected cartilage or ligament injury, joint-surface abnormalities, or persistent symptoms after an ankle injury.
Select this code for the ankle-joint injection, not for an injection into another joint or for the imaging acquisition and interpretation. The record should identify the ankle, the clinical indication, and the intra-articular contrast injection. Report the imaging service separately when performed and documented; ankle arthrography imaging may be reported with 73615. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one 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 requires documented medical necessity; 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 Bakersfield, CA compares for 27648
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 27648 runs from $180.42 in Arkansas to $283.48 in San Benito County, CA. Bakersfield, CA pays $221.90. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Bakersfield, CA · this page$221.90
- Chico, CA · California$221.50−$0.40
- El Centro, CA · California$221.52−$0.38
- Fresno, CA · California$221.50−$0.40
- Hanford, CA · California$221.50−$0.40
- Los Angeles, CA · California$237.70+$15.80
- Madera, CA · California$221.50−$0.40
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CACalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $260.70 | $45.88 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $236.93 | $44.27 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $223.01 | $44.37 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $233.53 | $43.97 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $232.69 | $43.78 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $239.00 | $44.06 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $277.18 | $47.36 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $277.02 | $47.20 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $283.48 | $48.43 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $282.83 | $47.78 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $228.84 | $43.19 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $241.94 | $43.90 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $233.79 | $43.74 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $244.44 | $44.28 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $260.48 | $45.65 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $221.50 | $42.86 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $239.36 | $47.35 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $220.90 | $51.22 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $213.88 | $50.07 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $239.15 | $49.75 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $231.44 | $57.85 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $183.39 | $40.77 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $180.42 | $40.40 |
| ArizonaArizona | $200.79 | $42.84 |
| ColoradoColorado | $217.03 | $43.60 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $221.50 | $45.96 |
| DelawareDelaware | $204.39 | $43.35 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $212.75 | $47.63 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $201.59 | $45.77 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $210.52 | $44.91 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $189.22 | $43.82 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $228.17 | $42.84 |
| IowaIowa | $189.42 | $40.28 |
| IdahoIdaho | $190.63 | $40.68 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $197.84 | $47.88 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $194.54 | $45.72 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $215.19 | $47.79 |
| IndianaIndiana | $191.89 | $40.79 |
| KansasKansas | $188.05 | $40.70 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $187.41 | $42.50 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $197.32 | $43.94 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $186.93 | $42.68 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $240.64 | $46.02 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $215.35 | $43.72 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $220.82 | $45.93 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $208.73 | $43.78 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $191.33 | $41.37 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $203.49 | $41.96 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $203.99 | $46.69 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $192.51 | $43.69 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $208.41 | $40.69 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $196.23 | $43.18 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $198.57 | $43.40 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $183.08 | $42.57 |
| MississippiMississippi | $181.81 | $41.47 |
| MontanaMontana | $206.74 | $43.75 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $193.63 | $41.55 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $203.97 | $40.98 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $190.70 | $40.26 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $213.16 | $43.49 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $236.36 | $47.28 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $224.16 | $46.17 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $193.53 | $44.06 |
| NevadaNevada | $206.14 | $42.98 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $245.03 | $51.22 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $225.36 | $46.88 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $241.89 | $49.23 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $196.83 | $41.98 |
| OhioOhio | $191.94 | $43.12 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $187.45 | $41.89 |
| Portland, OROregon | $225.00 | $43.91 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $204.68 | $42.34 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $215.22 | $45.54 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $192.50 | $42.87 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $208.56 | $43.77 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $212.48 | $44.10 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $193.08 | $42.47 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $203.65 | $40.65 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $189.05 | $40.89 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $216.18 | $43.73 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $191.06 | $42.73 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $204.44 | $42.91 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $205.69 | $43.34 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $204.04 | $43.33 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $205.00 | $43.15 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $207.57 | $45.71 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $197.59 | $42.91 |
| UtahUtah | $196.03 | $42.82 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $202.48 | $42.25 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $208.56 | $43.77 |
| VermontVermont | $202.73 | $41.37 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $215.09 | $43.45 |
| King County, WAWashington | $246.21 | $46.21 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $196.35 | $40.20 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $186.41 | $44.76 |
| WyomingWyoming | $205.54 | $42.54 |
27648 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.
$180.42
$252.49
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $231.44 | 1 |
| AL | $183.39 | 1 |
| AR | $180.42 | 1 |
| AZ | $200.79 | 1 |
| CA | $221.50–$283.48 | 29 |
| CO | $217.03 | 1 |
| CT | $221.50 | 1 |
| DC | $239.36 | 1 |
| DE | $204.39 | 1 |
| FL | $201.59–$220.90 | 3 |
| GA | $189.22–$210.52 | 2 |
| GU | $228.17 | 1 |
| HI | $228.17 | 1 |
| IA | $189.42 | 1 |
| ID | $190.63 | 1 |
| IL | $194.54–$215.19 | 4 |
| IN | $191.89 | 1 |
| KS | $188.05 | 1 |
| KY | $187.41 | 1 |
| LA | $186.93–$197.32 | 2 |
| MA | $215.35–$240.64 | 2 |
| MD | $208.73–$239.36 | 3 |
| ME | $191.33–$203.49 | 2 |
| MI | $192.51–$203.99 | 2 |
| MN | $208.41 | 1 |
| MO | $183.08–$198.57 | 3 |
| MS | $181.81 | 1 |
| MT | $206.74 | 1 |
| NC | $193.63 | 1 |
| ND | $203.97 | 1 |
| NE | $190.70 | 1 |
| NH | $213.16 | 1 |
| NJ | $224.16–$236.36 | 2 |
| NM | $193.53 | 1 |
| NV | $206.14 | 1 |
| NY | $196.83–$245.03 | 5 |
| OH | $191.94 | 1 |
| OK | $187.45 | 1 |
| OR | $204.68–$225.00 | 2 |
| PA | $192.50–$215.22 | 2 |
| PR | $208.56 | 1 |
| RI | $212.48 | 1 |
| SC | $193.08 | 1 |
| SD | $203.65 | 1 |
| TN | $189.05 | 1 |
| TX | $191.06–$216.18 | 8 |
| UT | $196.03 | 1 |
| VA | $202.48–$239.36 | 2 |
| VI | $208.56 | 1 |
| VT | $202.73 | 1 |
| WA | $215.09–$246.21 | 2 |
| WI | $196.35 | 1 |
| WV | $186.41 | 1 |
| WY | $205.54 | 1 |
How the 27648 rate is calculated
Each of 27648’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 · 27648
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.94
0.94 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.11
5.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.14
0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
6.1900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$206.75
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Bakersfield, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
2,992
- Code
- 27648
- Physician work
- 0.94
- Practice expense
- 5.11
- Malpractice
- 0.14
GPCI2026.csv
8
- Locality
- Bakersfield, CA
- Physician work
- 1.019
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.609
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.94 | × 1.019 | 0.9579 |
| Practice expense | 5.11 | × 1.096 | 5.6006 |
| Malpractice | 0.14 | × 0.609 | 0.0853 |
| Total RVUs | 6.6437 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Bakersfield, CA$221.90
Office: (0.94 × 1.019 + 5.11 × 1.096 + 0.14 × 0.609) × $33.4009 = $221.90
Facility: (0.94 × 1.019 + 0.23 × 1.096 + 0.14 × 0.609) × $33.4009 = $43.26
Payment rules and modifiers for 27648
The CMS indicators that decide how 27648 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 27648
Arthrogram injection, ankle joint
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
27648 without 50 · national office
$206.75
Arthrogram injection, ankle joint
27648-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$310.13
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 27648 has changed in Bakersfield, CA
27648 · Office / nonfacility
$221.90
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $9.63 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $212.27 to $221.90 (4.5%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$212.27changed to$221.90
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.96 changed to 0.94
- Practice expense RVU 5.02 changed to 5.11
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
- Work GPCI 1.017 changed to 1.019
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.662 changed to 0.609
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$225.87changed to$212.27
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 5.23 changed to 5.02
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$222.18changed to$225.87
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$233.31changed to$222.18
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 5.39 changed to 5.23
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.662
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$241.98changed to$233.31
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 5.55 changed to 5.39
- Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.726 changed to 0.694
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$239.15changed to$241.98
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 5.41 changed to 5.55
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12
- Work GPCI 1.035 changed to 1.036
- Malpractice GPCI 0.704 changed to 0.726
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$218.11changed to$239.15
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 4.64 changed to 5.41
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
- Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.035
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.677 changed to 0.704
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$198.04changed to$218.11
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 4.13 changed to 4.64
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.032
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.677
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$180.72changed to$198.04
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 3.69 changed to 4.13
- Malpractice GPCI 0.599 changed to 0.618
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$178.31changed to$180.72
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 3.62 changed to 3.69
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.599
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$178.31
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $221.90 | $43.26 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $221.90 | $43.26 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $221.90 | $43.26 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $221.90 | $43.26 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $212.27 | $50.00 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $212.27 | $50.00 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $212.27 | $50.00 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $212.27 | $50.00 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $225.87 | $51.23 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $225.87 | $51.23 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $225.87 | $51.23 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $225.87 | $51.23 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $222.18 | $50.39 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $233.31 | $51.95 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $233.31 | $51.95 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $233.31 | $51.95 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $233.31 | $51.95 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $241.98 | $52.91 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $241.98 | $52.91 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $241.98 | $52.91 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $241.98 | $52.91 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $239.15 | $54.09 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $239.15 | $54.09 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $239.15 | $54.09 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $239.15 | $54.09 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $218.11 | $55.54 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $218.11 | $55.54 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $218.11 | $55.54 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $218.11 | $55.54 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $198.04 | $54.83 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $198.04 | $54.83 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $198.04 | $54.83 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $198.04 | $54.83 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $180.72 | $54.68 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $180.72 | $54.68 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $180.72 | $54.68 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $180.72 | $54.68 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $178.31 | $54.78 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $178.31 | $54.78 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $178.31 | $54.78 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $178.31 | $54.78 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Bakersfield, CA rate applies
Bakersfield, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 88 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Bakersfield
- Alta Sierra
- Arvin
- Bakersfield Country Club
- Bear Valley Springs
- Benton Park
- Bodfish
- Boron
27648 billing questions
How is 27648 different from 73615?
27648 reports injection of contrast into the ankle joint. Code 73615 reports the radiographic arthrogram examination and its supervision and interpretation.
Can the ankle MRI be reported with the injection?
Yes, when an MRI is performed and documented, report the applicable MRI service separately. Code 73722 describes MRI of a lower-extremity joint with contrast.
Does this code apply to a knee or hip arthrogram?
No. This code is specific to the ankle joint; 27370 describes injection for knee arthrography, and 27093 describes injection for hip arthrography.
What documentation supports reporting 27648?
Document the ankle joint treated, the indication, and that contrast was injected intra-articularly to prepare for arthrographic imaging.
How is a bilateral ankle procedure reported?
Use modifier 50 for a bilateral procedure. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
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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