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CPT code 28022: Joint exploration, metatarsophalangeal joint2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

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 Houston, TX, Medicare pays $503.58 for 28022 in the office and $321.16 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$503.58Office (non-facility)
$321.16Hospital or facility
+1.2%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 Houston, TX
  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 Houston, TX 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. Houston, TX pays $503.58. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28022 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$503.58
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$514.61+$11.03
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$467.33−$36.25
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$491.98−$11.60
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$495.18−$8.40
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$492.20−$11.38
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$493.51−$10.07

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

Every other payment area

28022 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$479.44$305.10
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$556.97$339.65
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$565.64$349.24
Miami, FLFlorida$538.99$347.75
Chicago, ILIllinois$524.17$339.55
Manhattan, NYNew York$570.73$357.27
AlaskaAlaska$588.72$393.08
AlabamaAlabama$449.37$288.63

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 Houston, TX 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

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 28022 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.69× 1.0084.7275
Practice expense9.66× 0.9939.5924
Malpractice0.55× 1.3760.7568
Total RVUs15.0767
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$503.58

Office: (4.69 × 1.008 + 9.66 × 0.993 + 0.55 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $503.58

Facility: (4.69 × 1.008 + 4.16 × 0.993 + 0.55 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $321.16

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, Houston, TX
Same family
28020Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsalRelated arthrotomy code for an intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint.$571.33
28024Toe joint exploration, interphalangeal jointRelated arthrotomy code for an interphalangeal joint in a toe.$478.46
Used instead
28052Joint biopsy, metatarsophalangeal jointFor arthrotomy with biopsy of an MTP joint when obtaining tissue is the operative purpose.$384.90
28072Joint synovectomy, foot metatarsophalangeal jointFor synovectomy at an MTP joint when removal of joint lining is the operative work.$508.17

How 28022 has changed in Houston, TX

28022 · Office / nonfacility

$503.58

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $22.34 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $481.24 to $503.58 (4.6%).

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

    $481.24changed to$503.58

    • 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 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $497.52changed to$481.24

    • 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

    $489.40changed to$497.52

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $502.50changed to$489.40

    • 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 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $511.18changed to$502.50

    • 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 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $519.14changed to$511.18

    • 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

    $516.70changed to$519.14

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.73 changed to 9.18
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $512.50changed to$516.70

    • 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 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $510.09changed to$512.50

    • 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

    $508.12changed to$510.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 8.70
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $508.84changed to$508.12

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $512.80changed to$508.84

    • 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

    $510.25changed to$512.80

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $503.79changed to$510.25

    • 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 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $509.15changed to$503.79

    • 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 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $509.15

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$503.58$321.16RVU26D
2026-07-01$503.58$321.16RVU26C
2026-04-01$503.58$321.16RVU26B
2026-01-01$503.58$321.16RVU26A
2025-10-01$481.24$333.30RVU25D
2025-07-01$481.24$333.30RVU25C
2025-04-01$481.24$333.30RVU25B
2025-01-01$481.24$333.30RVU25A
2024-10-01$497.52$340.60RVU24D
2024-07-01$497.52$340.60RVU24C
2024-04-01$497.52$340.60RVU24B
2024-03-09$497.52$340.60RVU24AR
2024-01-01$489.40$335.04RVU24A
2023-10-01$502.50$339.65RVU23D
2023-07-01$502.50$339.65RVU23C
2023-04-01$502.50$339.65RVU23B
2023-01-01$502.50$339.65RVU23A
2022-10-01$511.18$340.25RVU22D
2022-07-01$511.18$340.25RVU22C
2022-04-01$511.18$340.25RVU22B
2022-01-01$511.18$340.25RVU22A
2021-10-01$519.14$339.98RVU21D
2021-07-01$519.14$339.98RVU21C
2021-04-01$519.14$339.98RVU21B
2021-01-01$519.14$339.98RVU21A
2020-10-01$516.70$343.68RVU20D
2020-07-01$516.70$343.68RVU20C
2020-04-01$516.70$343.68RVU20B
2020-01-01$516.70$343.68RVU20A
2019-10-01$512.50$339.99RVU19D
2019-07-01$512.50$339.99RVU19C
2019-04-01$512.50$339.99RVU19B
2019-01-01$512.50$339.99RVU19A
2018-10-01$510.09$338.49RVU18D
2018-07-01$510.09$338.49RVU18C
2018-04-01$510.09$338.49RVU18B
2018-01-01$510.09$338.49RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$508.12$337.92RVU17D
2017-07-01$508.12$337.92RVU17C
2017-04-01$508.12$337.92RVU17B
2017-01-01$508.12$337.92RVU17A
2016-10-01$508.84$338.46RVU16D
2016-07-01$508.84$338.46RVU16C
2016-04-01$508.84$338.46RVU16B
2016-01-01$508.84$338.46RVU16A
2015-10-01$512.80$340.01RVU15D
2015-07-01$512.80$340.01RVU15C
2015-04-01$510.25$338.32RVU15B
2015-01-01$510.25$338.32RVU15A
2014-10-01$503.79$335.47RVU14D
2014-07-01$503.79$335.47RVU14C
2014-04-01$503.79$335.47RVU14B
2014-01-01$503.79$335.47RVU14A
2013-10-01$509.15$330.85RVU13D
2013-07-01$509.15$330.85RVU13C
2013-04-01$509.15$330.85RVU13B
2013-01-01$509.15$330.85RVU13AR

Price 28022 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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