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CPT code 27648: Arthrogram injection, ankle joint2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports intra-articular contrast injection into the ankle to prepare for arthrographic imaging when clinicians need to evaluate joint structures.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality414 Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $204.39 for 27648 in the office and $43.35 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$204.39Office (non-facility)
$43.35Hospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($206.75)

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.

We’ll open 27648 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 27648 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 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 Delaware 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. Delaware pays $204.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

27648 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$204.39
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$237.70+$33.31
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$239.36+$34.97
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$220.90+$16.51
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$213.88+$9.49
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$239.15+$34.76
  7. Alaska · Alaska$231.44+$27.05

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

Every other payment area

27648 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$183.39$40.77
ArkansasArkansas$180.42$40.40
ArizonaArizona$200.79$42.84
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$221.90$43.26
Chico, CACalifornia$221.50$42.86
El Centro, CACalifornia$221.52$42.88
Fresno, CACalifornia$221.50$42.86
Hanford, CACalifornia$221.50$42.86

27648 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.

$180.42

$252.49

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

View every state and territory as a table
27648 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$231.441
AL$183.391
AR$180.421
AZ$200.791
CA$221.50–$283.4829
CO$217.031
CT$221.501
DC$239.361
DE$204.391
FL$201.59–$220.903
GA$189.22–$210.522
GU$228.171
HI$228.171
IA$189.421
ID$190.631
IL$194.54–$215.194
IN$191.891
KS$188.051
KY$187.411
LA$186.93–$197.322
MA$215.35–$240.642
MD$208.73–$239.363
ME$191.33–$203.492
MI$192.51–$203.992
MN$208.411
MO$183.08–$198.573
MS$181.811
MT$206.741
NC$193.631
ND$203.971
NE$190.701
NH$213.161
NJ$224.16–$236.362
NM$193.531
NV$206.141
NY$196.83–$245.035
OH$191.941
OK$187.451
OR$204.68–$225.002
PA$192.50–$215.222
PR$208.561
RI$212.481
SC$193.081
SD$203.651
TN$189.051
TX$191.06–$216.188
UT$196.031
VA$202.48–$239.362
VI$208.561
VT$202.731
WA$215.09–$246.212
WI$196.351
WV$186.411
WY$205.541

See 27648 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Delaware 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

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 27648 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.94× 1.0050.9447
Practice expense5.11× 0.9885.0487
Malpractice0.14× 0.8990.1259
Total RVUs6.1192
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$204.39

Office: (0.94 × 1.005 + 5.11 × 0.988 + 0.14 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $204.39

Facility: (0.94 × 1.005 + 0.23 × 0.988 + 0.14 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $43.35

Open 27648 in the RVU calculator

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

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician 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).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 27648

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

Codes related to 27648
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Often billed with
73615Ankle arthrography, radiographic supervision and interpretationReports radiographic ankle arthrography supervision and interpretation associated with the injection.$131.49
73722Joint MRI, with contrastMRI of a lower-extremity joint with contrast may follow the ankle-joint injection.$311.76
Same family
27093Hip arthrogram injection, without anesthesiaArthrography injection code for the hip rather than the ankle.$229.96

How 27648 has changed in Delaware

27648 · Office / nonfacility

$204.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.37 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $197.02 to $204.39 (3.7%).

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

    $197.02changed to$204.39

    • 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 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $209.37changed to$197.02

    • 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.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $205.95changed to$209.37

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $220.50changed to$205.95

    • 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 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $233.53changed to$220.50

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.55 changed to 5.39
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $231.12changed to$233.53

    • 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

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $210.63changed to$231.12

    • 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 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $191.75changed to$210.63

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.13 changed to 4.64
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $175.40changed to$191.75

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.69 changed to 4.13

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $173.10changed to$175.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.62 changed to 3.69
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $171.98changed to$173.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.62
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $170.73changed to$171.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $169.88changed to$170.73

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $169.52changed to$169.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $173.97changed to$169.52

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.89 changed to 3.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $173.97

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$204.39$43.35RVU26D
2026-07-01$204.39$43.35RVU26C
2026-04-01$204.39$43.35RVU26B
2026-01-01$204.39$43.35RVU26A
2025-10-01$197.02$49.73RVU25D
2025-07-01$197.02$49.73RVU25C
2025-04-01$197.02$49.73RVU25B
2025-01-01$197.02$49.73RVU25A
2024-10-01$209.37$50.87RVU24D
2024-07-01$209.37$50.87RVU24C
2024-04-01$209.37$50.87RVU24B
2024-03-09$209.37$50.87RVU24AR
2024-01-01$205.95$50.04RVU24A
2023-10-01$220.50$51.25RVU23D
2023-07-01$220.50$51.25RVU23C
2023-04-01$220.50$51.25RVU23B
2023-01-01$220.50$51.25RVU23A
2022-10-01$233.53$52.09RVU22D
2022-07-01$233.53$52.09RVU22C
2022-04-01$233.53$52.09RVU22B
2022-01-01$233.53$52.09RVU22A
2021-10-01$231.12$53.53RVU21D
2021-07-01$231.12$53.53RVU21C
2021-04-01$231.12$53.53RVU21B
2021-01-01$231.12$53.53RVU21A
2020-10-01$210.63$55.50RVU20D
2020-07-01$210.63$55.50RVU20C
2020-04-01$210.63$55.50RVU20B
2020-01-01$210.63$55.50RVU20A
2019-10-01$191.75$55.87RVU19D
2019-07-01$191.75$55.87RVU19C
2019-04-01$191.75$55.87RVU19B
2019-01-01$191.75$55.87RVU19A
2018-10-01$175.40$55.81RVU18D
2018-07-01$175.40$55.81RVU18C
2018-04-01$175.40$55.81RVU18B
2018-01-01$175.40$55.81RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$173.10$55.75RVU17D
2017-07-01$173.10$55.75RVU17C
2017-04-01$173.10$55.75RVU17B
2017-01-01$173.10$55.75RVU17A
2016-10-01$171.98$55.70RVU16D
2016-07-01$171.98$55.70RVU16C
2016-04-01$171.98$55.70RVU16B
2016-01-01$171.98$55.70RVU16A
2015-10-01$170.73$55.14RVU15D
2015-07-01$170.73$55.14RVU15C
2015-04-01$169.88$54.87RVU15B
2015-01-01$169.88$54.87RVU15A
2014-10-01$169.52$54.25RVU14D
2014-07-01$169.52$54.25RVU14C
2014-04-01$169.52$54.25RVU14B
2014-01-01$169.52$54.25RVU14A
2013-10-01$173.97$52.14RVU13D
2013-07-01$173.97$52.14RVU13C
2013-04-01$173.97$52.14RVU13B
2013-01-01$173.97$52.14RVU13AR

Price 27648 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

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
RVUs for 27648PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,992 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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