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

Report this open joint procedure for exploration, drainage, or removal of material from an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality276 Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $557.81 for 28020 in the office and $347.60 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$557.81Office (non-facility)
$347.60Hospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($563.81)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28020 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 28020 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 28020 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 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.

How Delaware compares for 28020

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28020 runs from $499.91 in Arkansas to $736.16 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $557.81. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28020 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$557.81
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$631.04+$73.23
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$641.85+$84.04
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$614.84+$57.03
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$597.12+$39.31
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$648.63+$90.82
  7. Alaska · Alaska$661.37+$103.56

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

Every other payment area

28020 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$507.07$320.90
ArkansasArkansas$499.91$317.15
ArizonaArizona$548.89$342.72
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$593.64$360.45
Chico, CACalifornia$591.59$358.40
El Centro, CACalifornia$591.71$358.52
Fresno, CACalifornia$591.59$358.40
Hanford, CACalifornia$591.59$358.40

28020 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.

$499.91

$663.88

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

View every state and territory as a table
28020 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$661.371
AL$507.071
AR$499.911
AZ$548.891
CA$591.59–$736.1629
CO$584.561
CT$600.771
DC$641.851
DE$557.811
FL$559.17–$614.843
GA$528.04–$574.972
GU$605.031
HI$605.031
IA$518.021
ID$521.671
IL$544.54–$597.124
IN$524.581
KS$516.431
KY$520.441
LA$519.96–$544.992
MA$581.50–$640.422
MD$568.04–$641.853
ME$525.15–$551.822
MI$534.39–$566.802
MN$558.161
MO$511.76–$545.963
MS$505.891
MT$563.761
NC$530.391
ND$549.921
NE$520.561
NH$576.171
NJ$607.08–$635.602
NM$537.571
NV$560.281
NY$538.23–$665.035
OH$531.561
OK$518.711
OR$555.37–$601.882
PA$531.96–$586.622
PR$567.561
RI$576.771
SC$531.971
SD$548.281
TN$519.061
TX$528.60–$583.108
UT$539.061
VA$550.60–$641.852
VI$567.561
VT$548.531
WA$580.15–$652.532
WI$531.971
WV$525.051
WY$557.731

See 28020 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 28020

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work5.02

5.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense11.16

11.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.70

0.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

16.8800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$563.81

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

3,094

Code
28020
Physician work
5.02
Practice expense
11.16
Malpractice
0.70

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 28020 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.02× 1.0055.0451
Practice expense11.16× 0.98811.0261
Malpractice0.70× 0.8990.6293
Total RVUs16.7005
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$557.81

Office: (5.02 × 1.005 + 11.16 × 0.988 + 0.7 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $557.81

Facility: (5.02 × 1.005 + 4.79 × 0.988 + 0.7 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $347.60

Open 28020 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28020

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

CMS payment indicators · 28020

Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsal

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)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
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 · 28020

Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsal

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 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

28020 without 51 · national office

$563.81

Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsal

28020-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$281.91

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 28020

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

Codes related to 28020
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Same family
28022Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal jointSibling arthrotomy code for a metatarsophalangeal joint.$492.73
28024Toe joint exploration, interphalangeal jointSibling arthrotomy code for a toe interphalangeal joint.$468.66
Used instead
28050Joint biopsy, foot joint liningJoint arthrotomy with biopsy for an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint.$403.60
28052Joint biopsy, metatarsophalangeal jointJoint arthrotomy with biopsy for a metatarsophalangeal joint.$377.74
28070Foot synovectomy, tarsometatarsal jointRemoval of synovium from a tarsal joint rather than general joint exploration.$513.37

How 28020 has changed in Delaware

28020 · Office / nonfacility

$557.81

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $42.53 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $515.28 to $557.81 (8.3%).

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

    $515.28changed to$557.81

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 5.15 changed to 5.02
    • Practice expense RVU 10.16 changed to 11.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
    • 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

    $539.87changed to$515.28

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 10.47 changed to 10.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $531.06changed to$539.87

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $557.00changed to$531.06

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 10.53 changed to 10.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.67
    • 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

    $572.83changed to$557.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 10.47 changed to 10.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.69
    • 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

    $576.61changed to$572.83

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.73

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $568.39changed to$576.61

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 9.71 changed to 10.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.70
    • 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

    $572.68changed to$568.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 9.78 changed to 9.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64
    • 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

    $574.29changed to$572.68

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 9.83 changed to 9.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.66

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $572.21changed to$574.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 9.75 changed to 9.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.68 changed to 0.67
    • 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

    $573.98changed to$572.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 9.79 changed to 9.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.68
    • 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

    $581.68changed to$573.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 9.90 changed to 9.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.71 changed to 0.67

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $578.78changed to$581.68

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $566.77changed to$578.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.68 changed to 9.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.71
    • 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

    $571.64changed to$566.77

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 10.67 changed to 9.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.64
    • 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: $571.64

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$557.81$347.60RVU26D
2026-07-01$557.81$347.60RVU26C
2026-04-01$557.81$347.60RVU26B
2026-01-01$557.81$347.60RVU26A
2025-10-01$515.28$356.76RVU25D
2025-07-01$515.28$356.76RVU25C
2025-04-01$515.28$356.76RVU25B
2025-01-01$515.28$356.76RVU25A
2024-10-01$539.87$367.83RVU24D
2024-07-01$539.87$367.83RVU24C
2024-04-01$539.87$367.83RVU24B
2024-03-09$539.87$367.83RVU24AR
2024-01-01$531.06$361.83RVU24A
2023-10-01$557.00$375.12RVU23D
2023-07-01$557.00$375.12RVU23C
2023-04-01$557.00$375.12RVU23B
2023-01-01$557.00$375.12RVU23A
2022-10-01$572.83$381.14RVU22D
2022-07-01$572.83$381.14RVU22C
2022-04-01$572.83$381.14RVU22B
2022-01-01$572.83$381.14RVU22A
2021-10-01$576.61$377.98RVU21D
2021-07-01$576.61$377.98RVU21C
2021-04-01$576.61$377.98RVU21B
2021-01-01$576.61$377.98RVU21A
2020-10-01$568.39$379.00RVU20D
2020-07-01$568.39$379.00RVU20C
2020-04-01$568.39$379.00RVU20B
2020-01-01$568.39$379.00RVU20A
2019-10-01$572.68$382.45RVU19D
2019-07-01$572.68$382.45RVU19C
2019-04-01$572.68$382.45RVU19B
2019-01-01$572.68$382.45RVU19A
2018-10-01$574.29$383.16RVU18D
2018-07-01$574.29$383.16RVU18C
2018-04-01$574.29$383.16RVU18B
2018-01-01$574.29$383.16RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$572.21$382.39RVU17D
2017-07-01$572.21$382.39RVU17C
2017-04-01$572.21$382.39RVU17B
2017-01-01$572.21$382.39RVU17A
2016-10-01$573.98$382.39RVU16D
2016-07-01$573.98$382.39RVU16C
2016-04-01$573.98$382.39RVU16B
2016-01-01$573.98$382.39RVU16A
2015-10-01$581.68$386.44RVU15D
2015-07-01$581.68$386.44RVU15C
2015-04-01$578.78$384.52RVU15B
2015-01-01$578.78$384.52RVU15A
2014-10-01$566.77$377.13RVU14D
2014-07-01$566.77$377.13RVU14C
2014-04-01$566.77$377.13RVU14B
2014-01-01$566.77$377.13RVU14A
2013-10-01$571.64$369.53RVU13D
2013-07-01$571.64$369.53RVU13C
2013-04-01$571.64$369.53RVU13B
2013-01-01$571.64$369.53RVU13AR

Price 28020 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

28020 billing questions

How do I distinguish this from 28022?

Use 28020 for an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint. Code 28022 is for a metatarsophalangeal joint.

When is 28024 the better choice?

Use 28024 when the arthrotomy is at a toe interphalangeal joint, rather than an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint.

Can exploration, drainage, and loose-body removal be reported separately?

Those actions are included when performed through the arthrotomy represented by this code. Document the joint entered and the work performed.

What documentation supports code selection?

The operative report should identify the specific intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint and describe the arthrotomy and its purpose, such as exploration, drainage, or removal.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral procedures?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inapplicable and modifier 50 as inappropriate for this code.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full; other procedures in the session are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. The code also has a 90-day global period.

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 28020PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,094 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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