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

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 Detroit, MI, Medicare pays $566.80 for 28020 in the office and $361.48 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$566.80Office (non-facility)
$361.48Hospital or facility
+0.5%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 Detroit, MI
  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 Detroit, MI 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. Detroit, MI pays $566.80. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28020 in Detroit, MI vs other payment areas
  1. Detroit, MI · this page$566.80
  2. Rest of Michigan · Michigan$534.39−$32.41
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$631.04+$64.24
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$641.85+$75.05
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$614.84+$48.04
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$597.12+$30.32
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$648.63+$81.83

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

Every other payment area

28020 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$661.37$434.78
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

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 Detroit, MI 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

64

Locality
Detroit, MI
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.965
Malpractice
1.686
Office calculation for 28020 in Detroit, MI
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.02× 1.0005.0200
Practice expense11.16× 0.96510.7694
Malpractice0.70× 1.6861.1802
Total RVUs16.9696
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Detroit, MI$566.80

Office: (5.02 × 1 + 11.16 × 0.965 + 0.7 × 1.686) × $33.4009 = $566.80

Facility: (5.02 × 1 + 4.79 × 0.965 + 0.7 × 1.686) × $33.4009 = $361.48

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, Detroit, MI
Same family
28022Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal jointSibling arthrotomy code for a metatarsophalangeal joint.$498.98
28024Toe joint exploration, interphalangeal jointSibling arthrotomy code for a toe interphalangeal joint.$473.68
Used instead
28050Joint biopsy, foot joint liningJoint arthrotomy with biopsy for an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint.$406.82
28052Joint biopsy, metatarsophalangeal jointJoint arthrotomy with biopsy for a metatarsophalangeal joint.$380.82
28070Foot synovectomy, tarsometatarsal jointRemoval of synovium from a tarsal joint rather than general joint exploration.$519.94

How 28020 has changed in Detroit, MI

28020 · Office / nonfacility

$566.80

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $37.33 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $529.47 to $566.80 (7.1%).

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

    $529.47changed to$566.80

    • 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 1.003 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.965
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.718 changed to 1.686

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $553.90changed to$529.47

    • 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

    $544.86changed to$553.90

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $567.54changed to$544.86

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.003
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.670 changed to 1.718

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $580.44changed to$567.54

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.622 changed to 1.670

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $583.55changed to$580.44

    • 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

    $572.11changed to$583.55

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.657 changed to 1.622

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $574.41changed to$572.11

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.989 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.691 changed to 1.657

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $576.17changed to$574.41

    • 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

    $568.79changed to$576.17

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.989
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.510 changed to 1.691

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $564.67changed to$568.79

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.994 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.328 changed to 1.510

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $572.55changed to$564.67

    • 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

    $569.70changed to$572.55

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $572.24changed to$569.70

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 0.994
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.571 changed to 1.328

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $591.80changed to$572.24

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.814 changed to 1.571

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $591.80

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$566.80$361.48RVU26D
2026-07-01$566.80$361.48RVU26C
2026-04-01$566.80$361.48RVU26B
2026-01-01$566.80$361.48RVU26A
2025-10-01$529.47$371.91RVU25D
2025-07-01$529.47$371.91RVU25C
2025-04-01$529.47$371.91RVU25B
2025-01-01$529.47$371.91RVU25A
2024-10-01$553.90$382.90RVU24D
2024-07-01$553.90$382.90RVU24C
2024-04-01$553.90$382.90RVU24B
2024-03-09$553.90$382.90RVU24AR
2024-01-01$544.86$376.65RVU24A
2023-10-01$567.54$388.37RVU23D
2023-07-01$567.54$388.37RVU23C
2023-04-01$567.54$388.37RVU23B
2023-01-01$567.54$388.37RVU23A
2022-10-01$580.44$393.43RVU22D
2022-07-01$580.44$393.43RVU22C
2022-04-01$580.44$393.43RVU22B
2022-01-01$580.44$393.43RVU22A
2021-10-01$583.55$389.78RVU21D
2021-07-01$583.55$389.78RVU21C
2021-04-01$583.55$389.78RVU21B
2021-01-01$583.55$389.78RVU21A
2020-10-01$572.11$387.91RVU20D
2020-07-01$572.11$387.91RVU20C
2020-04-01$572.11$387.91RVU20B
2020-01-01$572.11$387.91RVU20A
2019-10-01$574.41$389.78RVU19D
2019-07-01$574.41$389.78RVU19C
2019-04-01$574.41$389.78RVU19B
2019-01-01$574.41$389.78RVU19A
2018-10-01$576.17$390.67RVU18D
2018-07-01$576.17$390.67RVU18C
2018-04-01$576.17$390.67RVU18B
2018-01-01$576.17$390.67RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$568.79$385.09RVU17D
2017-07-01$568.79$385.09RVU17C
2017-04-01$568.79$385.09RVU17B
2017-01-01$568.79$385.09RVU17A
2016-10-01$564.67$379.96RVU16D
2016-07-01$564.67$379.96RVU16C
2016-04-01$564.67$379.96RVU16B
2016-01-01$564.67$379.96RVU16A
2015-10-01$572.55$384.31RVU15D
2015-07-01$572.55$384.31RVU15C
2015-04-01$569.70$382.40RVU15B
2015-01-01$569.70$382.40RVU15A
2014-10-01$572.24$387.90RVU14D
2014-07-01$572.24$387.90RVU14C
2014-04-01$572.24$387.90RVU14B
2014-01-01$572.24$387.90RVU14A
2013-10-01$591.80$393.76RVU13D
2013-07-01$591.80$393.76RVU13C
2013-04-01$591.80$393.76RVU13B
2013-01-01$591.80$393.76RVU13AR

Price 28020 for an earlier date of service

Where the Detroit, MI rate applies

Detroit, MI is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 98 cities and communities in Michigan. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Detroit
  • Allen Park
  • Ann Arbor
  • Armada
  • Auburn Hills
  • Barton Hills
  • Belleville
  • Berkley

Browse all communities in Michigan

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 Detroit, MIGPCI2026.csv, line 64 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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