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CPT code 27685: Tendon lengthening, single tendon, leg or ankle2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Nevada

Reports surgical lengthening or shortening of one tendon in the leg or ankle, such as tendon length adjustment for a fixed deformity.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Nevada, Medicare pays $677.01 for 27685 in the office and $438.63 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$677.01Office (non-facility)
$438.63Hospital or facility
−0.7%vs the national office rate ($681.71)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 27685 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 27685 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Nevada
  2. What 27685 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 27685 covers

An orthopedic or podiatric surgeon surgically lengthens or shortens one tendon in the leg or ankle to change its effective length. A familiar example is lengthening the Achilles tendon to address a fixed ankle or foot deformity associated with tendon contracture. The procedure is generally performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery setting.

Select this code when the operative work changes the length of a single tendon; document the tendon treated, the side, the reason for changing its length, and the technique performed. For each additional tendon treated, 27686 is the related add-on code rather than another unit of 27685. 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 one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are reduced to 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be allowed; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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 Nevada compares for 27685

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 27685 runs from $605.73 in Arkansas to $882.89 in San Benito County, CA. Nevada pays $677.01. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

27685 in Nevada vs other payment areas
  1. Nevada · this page$677.01
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$759.59+$82.58
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$774.06+$97.05
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$746.46+$69.45
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$725.20+$48.19
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$783.84+$106.83
  7. Alaska · Alaska$804.96+$127.95

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

Every other payment area

27685 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$614.22$405.84
ArkansasArkansas$605.73$401.16
ArizonaArizona$663.86$433.09
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$715.42$454.41
Chico, CACalifornia$712.74$451.73
El Centro, CACalifornia$712.90$451.89
Fresno, CACalifornia$712.74$451.73
Hanford, CACalifornia$712.74$451.73

27685 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.

$605.73

$804.96

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

View every state and territory as a table
27685 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$804.961
AL$614.221
AR$605.731
AZ$663.861
CA$712.74–$882.8929
CO$705.321
CT$725.881
DC$774.061
DE$674.501
FL$678.11–$746.463
GA$640.83–$695.472
GU$728.131
HI$728.131
IA$626.361
ID$630.861
IL$661.32–$725.204
IN$634.291
KS$624.881
KY$631.011
LA$630.60–$660.332
MA$701.92–$771.302
MD$686.57–$774.063
ME$635.44–$666.472
MI$647.99–$687.632
MN$672.641
MO$621.13–$660.983
MS$613.481
MT$681.651
NC$641.591
ND$663.461
NE$629.241
NH$695.631
NJ$733.26–$766.842
NM$651.931
NV$677.011
NY$650.93–$803.865
OH$644.271
OK$628.511
OR$670.85–$725.422
PA$644.50–$709.322
PR$686.021
RI$696.831
SC$644.181
SD$661.311
TN$628.061
TX$640.54–$703.778
UT$652.591
VA$665.31–$774.062
VI$686.021
VT$662.201
WA$700.16–$785.322
WI$642.251
WV$638.211
WY$673.721

See 27685 in every payment locality

How the 27685 rate is calculated

Each of 27685’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 · 27685

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work6.52

6.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense12.97

12.97 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.92

0.92 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

20.4100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$681.71

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Nevada inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,005

Code
27685
Physician work
6.52
Practice expense
12.97
Malpractice
0.92

GPCI2026.csv

73

Locality
Nevada
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.001
Malpractice
0.833
Office calculation for 27685 in Nevada
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work6.52× 1.0006.5200
Practice expense12.97× 1.00112.9830
Malpractice0.92× 0.8330.7664
Total RVUs20.2693
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Nevada$677.01

Office: (6.52 × 1 + 12.97 × 1.001 + 0.92 × 0.833) × $33.4009 = $677.01

Facility: (6.52 × 1 + 5.84 × 1.001 + 0.92 × 0.833) × $33.4009 = $438.63

Open 27685 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 27685

27685 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 27685

Tendon lengthening, single tendon, leg or ankle

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are 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)2Paid.
Co-surgeons (62)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.69/0.21Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 27685

Tendon lengthening, single tendon, leg or ankle

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.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

27685 without 50 · national office

$681.71

Tendon lengthening, single tendon, leg or ankle

27685-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,022.57

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 27685

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

Codes related to 27685
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Nevada
Add-on codes
27686Tendon adjustment, multiple tendons, same incisionAdd-on code for each additional tendon lengthened or shortened.No office rate
Used instead
27687Calf tendon revision, gastrocnemius recessionGastrocnemius recession may be selected for an isolated calf-muscle contracture.No office rate
27680Tendon release, single leg or ankle tendonTenolysis addresses adhesions restricting tendon glide, rather than changing tendon length.No office rate

How 27685 has changed in Nevada

27685 · Office / nonfacility

$677.01

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $42.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $634.35 to $677.01 (6.7%).

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

    $634.35changed to$677.01

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 6.69 changed to 6.52
    • Practice expense RVU 12.17 changed to 12.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.92
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.844 changed to 0.833

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $655.26changed to$634.35

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 12.21 changed to 12.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.93 changed to 0.89

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $644.57changed to$655.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $670.57changed to$644.57

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 12.11 changed to 12.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.93
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.098 changed to 0.844

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $687.97changed to$670.57

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.90 changed to 12.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.93 changed to 0.90
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.351 changed to 1.098

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $698.54changed to$687.97

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 12.08 changed to 11.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.93

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $691.57changed to$698.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 11.44 changed to 12.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.90
    • Work GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.351

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $690.85changed to$691.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 11.48 changed to 11.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.87 changed to 0.89
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.017 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.909 changed to 1.130

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $692.29changed to$690.85

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 11.54 changed to 11.48

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $695.86changed to$692.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 11.46 changed to 11.54
    • Work GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.017
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.909

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $703.64changed to$695.86

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 11.47 changed to 11.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.87
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.004
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.982 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $704.69changed to$703.64

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 11.44 changed to 11.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.88 changed to 0.89

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $701.19changed to$704.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $705.99changed to$701.19

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 11.42 changed to 11.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.87 changed to 0.88
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.055 changed to 1.051
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.107 changed to 0.982

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $714.99changed to$705.99

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 12.48 changed to 11.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.91 changed to 0.87
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.055
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.107

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$714.99

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$677.01$438.63RVU26D
2026-07-01$677.01$438.63RVU26C
2026-04-01$677.01$438.63RVU26B
2026-01-01$677.01$438.63RVU26A
2025-10-01$634.35$456.77RVU25D
2025-07-01$634.35$456.77RVU25C
2025-04-01$634.35$456.77RVU25B
2025-01-01$634.35$456.77RVU25A
2024-10-01$655.26$466.85RVU24D
2024-07-01$655.26$466.85RVU24C
2024-04-01$655.26$466.85RVU24B
2024-03-09$655.26$466.85RVU24AR
2024-01-01$644.57$459.23RVU24A
2023-10-01$670.57$476.73RVU23D
2023-07-01$670.57$476.73RVU23C
2023-04-01$670.57$476.73RVU23B
2023-01-01$670.57$476.73RVU23A
2022-10-01$687.97$488.29RVU22D
2022-07-01$687.97$488.29RVU22C
2022-04-01$687.97$488.29RVU22B
2022-01-01$687.97$488.29RVU22A
2021-10-01$698.54$488.13RVU21D
2021-07-01$698.54$488.13RVU21C
2021-04-01$698.54$488.13RVU21B
2021-01-01$698.54$488.13RVU21A
2020-10-01$691.57$487.30RVU20D
2020-07-01$691.57$487.30RVU20C
2020-04-01$691.57$487.30RVU20B
2020-01-01$691.57$487.30RVU20A
2019-10-01$690.85$481.93RVU19D
2019-07-01$690.85$481.93RVU19C
2019-04-01$690.85$481.93RVU19B
2019-01-01$690.85$481.93RVU19A
2018-10-01$692.29$481.77RVU18D
2018-07-01$692.29$481.77RVU18C
2018-04-01$692.29$481.77RVU18B
2018-01-01$692.29$481.77RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$695.86$484.34RVU17D
2017-07-01$695.86$484.34RVU17C
2017-04-01$695.86$484.34RVU17B
2017-01-01$695.86$484.34RVU17A
2016-10-01$703.64$489.15RVU16D
2016-07-01$703.64$489.15RVU16C
2016-04-01$703.64$489.15RVU16B
2016-01-01$703.64$489.15RVU16A
2015-10-01$704.69$489.43RVU15D
2015-07-01$704.69$489.43RVU15C
2015-04-01$701.19$486.99RVU15B
2015-01-01$701.19$486.99RVU15A
2014-10-01$705.99$492.46RVU14D
2014-07-01$705.99$492.46RVU14C
2014-04-01$705.99$492.46RVU14B
2014-01-01$705.99$492.46RVU14A
2013-10-01$714.99$490.01RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 27685 for an earlier date of service

Where the Nevada rate applies

Nevada is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 138 cities and communities in Nevada. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Alamo
  • Amargosa Valley
  • Austin
  • Baker
  • Battle Mountain
  • Beatty
  • Beaverdam
  • Bennett Springs

Browse all communities in Nevada

27685 billing questions

When should 27685 be selected instead of 27686?

Use 27685 for the first tendon whose length is changed. Report 27686 for each additional tendon treated in the same operative session.

Does this code describe tendon repair?

No. It describes surgically changing a tendon’s length. A repair code is considered when the operative work restores a torn or disrupted tendon rather than lengthening or shortening it.

What documentation supports reporting 27685?

The operative report should identify the tendon and side, the clinical reason for changing its length, and the lengthening or shortening work performed.

How is bilateral 27685 reported?

For bilateral procedures, report modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

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 or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment may be allowed. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; team surgery is 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
RVUs for 27685PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,005 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for NevadaGPCI2026.csv, line 73 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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