FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 28022: Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal joint2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Reports open exploration of a metatarsophalangeal joint when the surgeon examines the joint, drains it, or removes a loose or foreign body.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality525 Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $556.97 for 28022 in the office and $339.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$556.97Office (non-facility)
$339.65Hospital or facility
+11.9%vs the national office rate ($497.67)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28022 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 28022 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 28022 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 28022 covers

This code covers open access to a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint for exploration, drainage, or removal of a loose or foreign body. It may be used for an MTP joint at the base of a toe when operative evaluation or one of these treatments is performed. Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and podiatric surgeons typically perform the procedure in an operating room or another surgical setting.

Report the code for the MTP joint work documented in the operative note; include the specific joint, the reason for opening it, and the findings and actions taken. Exploration, drainage, and removal of a loose or foreign body are part of this service, rather than separate services for the same joint work. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including 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 are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeons and team surgery are 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 Los Angeles, CA compares for 28022

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28022 runs from $443.27 in Arkansas to $648.99 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $556.97. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28022 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$556.97
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$524.44−$32.53
  3. Chico, CA · California$522.79−$34.18
  4. El Centro, CA · California$522.88−$34.09
  5. Fresno, CA · California$522.79−$34.18
  6. Hanford, CA · California$522.79−$34.18
  7. Madera, CA · California$522.79−$34.18

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

Every other payment area

28022 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$522.79$321.45
Modesto, CACalifornia$522.79$321.45
Napa, CACalifornia$601.11$358.98
Oxnard, CACalifornia$553.86$336.72
Redding, CACalifornia$522.79$321.45
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$522.79$321.45
Riverside, CACalifornia$528.77$327.43
Sacramento, CACalifornia$547.38$333.73

28022 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.

$443.27

$588.72

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

View every state and territory as a table
28022 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$588.721
AL$449.371
AR$443.271
AZ$485.031
CA$522.79–$648.9929
CO$516.181
CT$529.511
DC$565.641
DE$492.731
FL$492.72–$538.993
GA$466.35–$507.002
GU$534.141
HI$534.141
IA$459.171
ID$462.181
IL$479.95–$524.174
IN$464.681
KS$457.591
KY$460.301
LA$459.80–$481.142
MA$513.55–$564.672
MD$501.61–$565.643
ME$464.92–$487.992
MI$471.97–$498.982
MN$494.101
MO$452.67–$482.223
MS$448.031
MT$497.641
NC$469.421
ND$486.761
NE$461.401
NH$508.611
NJ$535.41–$560.422
NM$474.591
NV$494.931
NY$476.08–$584.425
OH$469.751
OK$459.051
OR$490.93–$531.292
PA$470.21–$517.272
PR$500.951
RI$509.311
SC$470.401
SD$485.481
TN$459.811
TX$467.33–$514.618
UT$476.441
VA$486.79–$565.642
VI$500.951
VT$485.371
WA$512.42–$575.392
WI$471.411
WV$463.321
WY$492.901

See 28022 in every payment locality

How the 28022 rate is calculated

Each of 28022’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 · 28022

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.69

4.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense9.66

9.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.55

0.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

14.9000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$497.67

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,095

Code
28022
Physician work
4.69
Practice expense
9.66
Malpractice
0.55

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 28022 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.69× 1.0414.8823
Practice expense9.66× 1.18311.4278
Malpractice0.55× 0.6640.3652
Total RVUs16.6753
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$556.97

Office: (4.69 × 1.041 + 9.66 × 1.183 + 0.55 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $556.97

Facility: (4.69 × 1.041 + 4.16 × 1.183 + 0.55 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $339.65

Open 28022 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28022

28022 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28022

Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal joint

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)0Not permitted.
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 · 28022

Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal joint

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

28022 without 51 · national office

$497.67

Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal joint

28022-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$248.84

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 28022

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

Codes related to 28022
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Same family
28020Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsalRelated arthrotomy code for an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint.$631.04
28024Toe joint exploration, interphalangeal jointRelated arthrotomy code for an interphalangeal joint in a toe.$530.49
Used instead
28052Joint biopsy, metatarsophalangeal jointFor arthrotomy with biopsy of an MTP joint when obtaining tissue is the operative purpose.$426.00
28072Joint synovectomy, foot metatarsophalangeal jointFor synovectomy at an MTP joint when removal of joint lining is the operative work.$562.93

How 28022 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

28022 · Office / nonfacility

$556.97

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $26.38 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $530.59 to $556.97 (5.0%).

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

    $530.59changed to$556.97

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.81 changed to 4.69
    • Practice expense RVU 9.24 changed to 9.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.55
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $548.08changed to$530.59

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.28 changed to 9.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.52

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $539.13changed to$548.08

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $550.77changed to$539.13

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.15 changed to 9.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.53 changed to 0.54
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $556.85changed to$550.77

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.05 changed to 9.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.55 changed to 0.53
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $566.00changed to$556.85

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.18 changed to 9.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.55

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $565.87changed to$566.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.73 changed to 9.18
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $564.91changed to$565.87

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.76 changed to 8.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.52
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $562.00changed to$564.91

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.70 changed to 8.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $560.24changed to$562.00

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 8.70
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $561.54changed to$560.24

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.78 changed to 8.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.49
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $565.89changed to$561.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.82 changed to 8.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $563.07changed to$565.89

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $553.91changed to$563.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 8.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.52
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $558.74changed to$553.91

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 9.64 changed to 8.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.47
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$558.74

  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$556.97$339.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$556.97$339.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$556.97$339.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$556.97$339.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$530.59$354.48RVU25D
2025-07-01$530.59$354.48RVU25C
2025-04-01$530.59$354.48RVU25B
2025-01-01$530.59$354.48RVU25A
2024-10-01$548.08$361.27RVU24D
2024-07-01$548.08$361.27RVU24C
2024-04-01$548.08$361.27RVU24B
2024-03-09$548.08$361.27RVU24AR
2024-01-01$539.13$355.38RVU24A
2023-10-01$550.77$360.83RVU23D
2023-07-01$550.77$360.83RVU23C
2023-04-01$550.77$360.83RVU23B
2023-01-01$550.77$360.83RVU23A
2022-10-01$556.85$361.67RVU22D
2022-07-01$556.85$361.67RVU22C
2022-04-01$556.85$361.67RVU22B
2022-01-01$556.85$361.67RVU22A
2021-10-01$566.00$361.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$566.00$361.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$566.00$361.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$566.00$361.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$565.87$366.39RVU20D
2020-07-01$565.87$366.39RVU20C
2020-04-01$565.87$366.39RVU20B
2020-01-01$565.87$366.39RVU20A
2019-10-01$564.91$364.27RVU19D
2019-07-01$564.91$364.27RVU19C
2019-04-01$564.91$364.27RVU19B
2019-01-01$564.91$364.27RVU19A
2018-10-01$562.00$362.43RVU18D
2018-07-01$562.00$362.43RVU18C
2018-04-01$562.00$362.43RVU18B
2018-01-01$562.00$362.43RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$560.24$363.06RVU17D
2017-07-01$560.24$363.06RVU17C
2017-04-01$560.24$363.06RVU17B
2017-01-01$560.24$363.06RVU17A
2016-10-01$561.54$364.92RVU16D
2016-07-01$561.54$364.92RVU16C
2016-04-01$561.54$364.92RVU16B
2016-01-01$561.54$364.92RVU16A
2015-10-01$565.89$366.47RVU15D
2015-07-01$565.89$366.47RVU15C
2015-04-01$563.07$364.65RVU15B
2015-01-01$563.07$364.65RVU15A
2014-10-01$553.91$359.77RVU14D
2014-07-01$553.91$359.77RVU14C
2014-04-01$553.91$359.77RVU14B
2014-01-01$553.91$359.77RVU14A
2013-10-01$558.74$353.39RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 28022 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

28022 billing questions

How does this differ from 28020?

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

How does this differ from 28024?

28024 applies to an interphalangeal joint in a toe. Use 28022 for an MTP joint at the base of a toe.

Can exploration, drainage, or loose-body removal be billed separately?

Those actions are included in the arthrotomy service for the MTP joint. The operative note should identify which work was performed.

What documentation supports reporting 28022?

Document the MTP joint opened, the clinical reason for the procedure, and the findings and work performed, such as exploration, drainage, or removal of a loose or foreign body.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral MTP joint work?

CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate. The code is also subject to the 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 28022PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,095 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 28022 pays in Los Angeles, CA?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 28022 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist