CPT code 27687: Calf tendon revision, gastrocnemius recession2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Gastrocnemius recession surgically lengthens the calf muscle-tendon unit to improve ankle dorsiflexion when gastrocnemius tightness contributes to equinus.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 27687 in Missouri.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 27687 covers
This procedure lengthens or recesses the gastrocnemius aponeurosis to reduce calf tightness and improve ankle dorsiflexion. Foot and ankle surgeons commonly perform it for equinus contracture when the gastrocnemius limits motion, sometimes as part of treatment for related foot or ankle problems. A Strayer-type recession is a familiar example; this is distinct from lengthening the Achilles tendon.
Report the procedure when the operative work is a gastrocnemius recession, supported by the indication, examination findings, side, and details of the recession performed. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services may be paid; co-surgeons are paid only with 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.
Where 27687 pays more and less in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | Unavailable | $421.70 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | Unavailable | $425.03 |
| Rest of Missouri | Unavailable | $406.76 |
How the 27687 rate is calculated
Each of 27687’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 · 27687
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work6.25
6.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.77
5.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.98
0.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
13.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$434.21
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 27687
27687 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 27687
Calf tendon revision, gastrocnemius recession
| 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) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 27687
Calf tendon revision, gastrocnemius recession
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
27687 without 50 · national facility
$434.21
Calf tendon revision, gastrocnemius recession
27687-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$651.32
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).
27687 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 27685Tendon lengtheningSingle tendon, leg or ankle
- Choose 27687 for a gastrocnemius recession. Code 27685 describes lengthening or shortening a single leg or ankle tendon more generally.
- 27686Tendon adjustmentMultiple tendons, same incision
- Code 27686 concerns lengthening or shortening multiple leg or ankle tendons; 27687 identifies a gastrocnemius recession.
- 27690Tendon transferSingle lower-leg tendon
- Code 27690 is for transferring or transplanting a tendon. It is not the code for releasing or lengthening the gastrocnemius aponeurosis.
27687 billing questions
How is this different from a general tendon lengthening?
This code is for a gastrocnemius recession. Use a general leg or ankle tendon-lengthening code when the operative work is lengthening a different tendon rather than recessing the gastrocnemius.
Does the code include Achilles tendon lengthening?
No. A gastrocnemius recession addresses tightness in the gastrocnemius aponeurosis; Achilles tendon lengthening is a different operative service.
What documentation supports the code?
Document the reason for surgery, the involved side, findings showing gastrocnemius tightness or equinus, and the operative technique and structures treated.
How is bilateral surgery reported?
CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure. Reporting with modifier 50 is paid 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.
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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