CPT code 28020: Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsal2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

Medicare pays $591.59–$736.16 for 28020 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 28020 covers

This code describes an open incision into an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint to inspect the joint, drain it, or remove a loose body or foreign material. A foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon or podiatric surgeon typically performs the procedure in an operating room, for example when addressing a suspected joint loose body or an infection requiring drainage. The joint location distinguishes this service from arthrotomy codes for the metatarsophalangeal or toe interphalangeal joints.

Report the code when the operative record identifies the joint entered and documents the arthrotomy and work performed. Exploration, drainage, or removal through that same joint opening is included in this service. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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.

Where 28020 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 28020 rate is calculated

Each of 28020’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 28020

28020 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

28020 compared with similar codes

How to choose

28022Joint explorationMetatarsophalangeal joint

Choose 28020 for an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint; choose 28022 for a metatarsophalangeal joint.

28024Toe joint explorationInterphalangeal joint

Code 28024 identifies arthrotomy of a toe interphalangeal joint. Code 28020 covers the more proximal intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joints.

28050Joint biopsyFoot joint lining

Code 28050 specifies arthrotomy with biopsy at an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint. Use 28020 for exploration, drainage, or removal rather than a biopsy-focused service.

28070Foot synovectomyTarsometatarsal joint

Code 28070 describes removal of tarsal-joint synovium. Code 28020 describes joint exploration, drainage, or removal of a loose body or foreign material.

Codes related to 28020

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates