FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 28050: Joint biopsy, foot joint lining2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Report this procedure when a surgeon samples the lining of a foot joint for diagnostic evaluation rather than removing the lining therapeutically.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality53 Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $422.28 for 28050 in the office and $269.11 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$422.28Office (non-facility)
$269.11Hospital or facility
+3.7%vs the national office rate ($407.16)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28050 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 28050 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 28050 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 28050 covers

A surgeon obtains tissue from the lining of a foot joint so it can be examined for causes of joint disease, such as unexplained inflammation or suspected infection. Orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists may perform the biopsy in an operating room or another surgical setting. The sampled tissue may be sent for pathology or other appropriate testing. This service concerns a foot joint; a biopsy of a toe joint is represented separately.

Select the code based on the documented joint and the procedure actually performed. The operative note should identify the foot joint, the tissue sampled, and the diagnostic purpose; a therapeutic removal of joint lining is a different service. This code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral reporting, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; co-surgeons require 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 Colorado compares for 28050

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28050 runs from $365.65 in Arkansas to $528.46 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $422.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28050 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$422.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$454.95+$32.67
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$461.10+$38.82
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$436.38+$14.10
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$425.42+$3.14
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$464.35+$42.07
  7. Alaska · Alaska$489.46+$67.18

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

Every other payment area

28050 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$370.31$244.35
ArkansasArkansas$365.65$241.99
ArizonaArizona$397.57$258.08
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$429.22$271.44
Chico, CACalifornia$428.03$270.25
El Centro, CACalifornia$428.09$270.31
Fresno, CACalifornia$428.03$270.25
Hanford, CACalifornia$428.03$270.25

28050 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.

$365.65

$489.46

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

View every state and territory as a table
28050 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$489.461
AL$370.311
AR$365.651
AZ$397.571
CA$428.03–$528.4629
CO$422.281
CT$432.001
DC$461.101
DE$403.601
FL$402.29–$436.383
GA$382.33–$414.102
GU$436.461
HI$436.461
IA$378.301
ID$380.501
IL$392.20–$425.424
IN$382.421
KS$376.851
KY$378.151
LA$377.68–$393.982
MA$420.28–$460.522
MD$410.60–$461.103
ME$382.34–$400.332
MI$386.84–$406.822
MN$405.761
MO$372.08–$395.093
MS$368.931
MT$407.131
NC$385.821
ND$399.821
NE$380.081
NH$415.941
NJ$437.24–$457.302
NM$388.741
NV$405.341
NY$390.89–$474.505
OH$385.351
OK$377.451
OR$402.48–$434.242
PA$385.83–$422.442
PR$409.741
RI$416.851
SC$386.161
SD$398.951
TN$378.521
TX$383.61–$420.648
UT$390.791
VA$399.24–$461.102
VI$409.741
VT$398.531
WA$419.41–$469.212
WI$388.031
WV$379.491
WY$403.941

See 28050 in every payment locality

How the 28050 rate is calculated

Each of 28050’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 · 28050

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.28

4.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.54

7.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.37

0.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

12.1900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$407.16

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,104

Code
28050
Physician work
4.28
Practice expense
7.54
Malpractice
0.37

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 28050 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.28× 1.0124.3314
Practice expense7.54× 1.0648.0226
Malpractice0.37× 0.7810.2890
Total RVUs12.6429
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$422.28

Office: (4.28 × 1.012 + 7.54 × 1.064 + 0.37 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $422.28

Facility: (4.28 × 1.012 + 3.23 × 1.064 + 0.37 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $269.11

Open 28050 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28050

28050 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28050

Joint biopsy, foot joint lining

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
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 · 28050

Joint biopsy, foot joint lining

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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

28050 without 50 · national office

$407.16

Joint biopsy, foot joint lining

28050-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$610.74

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 28050

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

Codes related to 28050
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Used instead
28054Joint biopsy, toe joint liningUse for biopsy of a toe joint lining rather than a foot joint lining.$371.83
28020Foot joint arthrotomy, intertarsal or tarsometatarsalJoint exploration is a different service when no lining tissue is sampled.$584.56
28070Foot synovectomy, tarsometatarsal jointRepresents therapeutic removal of foot joint lining rather than diagnostic sampling.$537.30

How 28050 has changed in Colorado

28050 · Office / nonfacility

$422.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.85 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $414.43 to $422.28 (1.9%).

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

    $414.43changed to$422.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.39 changed to 4.28
    • Practice expense RVU 7.69 changed to 7.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.37
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $428.24changed to$414.43

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.74 changed to 7.69

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $421.25changed to$428.24

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $429.38changed to$421.25

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.60 changed to 7.74
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $434.29changed to$429.38

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.54 changed to 7.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $443.01changed to$434.29

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.68 changed to 7.54

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $447.28changed to$443.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.45 changed to 7.68
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $446.84changed to$447.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.56 changed to 7.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $446.34changed to$446.84

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.57 changed to 7.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $497.97changed to$446.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.82 changed to 7.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $442.55changed to$497.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.56 changed to 8.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.50
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $503.42changed to$442.55

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 9.17 changed to 7.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $500.91changed to$503.42

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $439.28changed to$500.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.45 changed to 9.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $439.67changed to$439.28

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.16 changed to 7.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.37
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $439.67

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$422.28$269.11RVU26D
2026-07-01$422.28$269.11RVU26C
2026-04-01$422.28$269.11RVU26B
2026-01-01$422.28$269.11RVU26A
2025-10-01$414.43$281.25RVU25D
2025-07-01$414.43$281.25RVU25C
2025-04-01$414.43$281.25RVU25B
2025-01-01$414.43$281.25RVU25A
2024-10-01$428.24$286.98RVU24D
2024-07-01$428.24$286.98RVU24C
2024-04-01$428.24$286.98RVU24B
2024-03-09$428.24$286.98RVU24AR
2024-01-01$421.25$282.29RVU24A
2023-10-01$429.38$285.28RVU23D
2023-07-01$429.38$285.28RVU23C
2023-04-01$429.38$285.28RVU23B
2023-01-01$429.38$285.28RVU23A
2022-10-01$434.29$285.01RVU22D
2022-07-01$434.29$285.01RVU22C
2022-04-01$434.29$285.01RVU22B
2022-01-01$434.29$285.01RVU22A
2021-10-01$443.01$285.55RVU21D
2021-07-01$443.01$285.55RVU21C
2021-04-01$443.01$285.55RVU21B
2021-01-01$443.01$285.55RVU21A
2020-10-01$447.28$292.56RVU20D
2020-07-01$447.28$292.56RVU20C
2020-04-01$447.28$292.56RVU20B
2020-01-01$447.28$292.56RVU20A
2019-10-01$446.84$292.75RVU19D
2019-07-01$446.84$292.75RVU19C
2019-04-01$446.84$292.75RVU19B
2019-01-01$446.84$292.75RVU19A
2018-10-01$446.34$292.05RVU18D
2018-07-01$446.34$292.05RVU18C
2018-04-01$446.34$292.05RVU18B
2018-01-01$446.34$292.05RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$497.97$323.12RVU17D
2017-07-01$497.97$323.12RVU17C
2017-04-01$497.97$323.12RVU17B
2017-01-01$497.97$323.12RVU17A
2016-10-01$442.55$290.15RVU16D
2016-07-01$442.55$290.15RVU16C
2016-04-01$442.55$290.15RVU16B
2016-01-01$442.55$290.15RVU16A
2015-10-01$503.42$322.14RVU15D
2015-07-01$503.42$322.14RVU15C
2015-04-01$500.91$320.53RVU15B
2015-01-01$500.91$320.53RVU15A
2014-10-01$439.28$290.15RVU14D
2014-07-01$439.28$290.15RVU14C
2014-04-01$439.28$290.15RVU14B
2014-01-01$439.28$290.15RVU14A
2013-10-01$439.67$283.90RVU13D
2013-07-01$439.67$283.90RVU13C
2013-04-01$439.67$283.90RVU13B
2013-01-01$439.67$283.90RVU13AR

Price 28050 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

28050 billing questions

How is a foot joint biopsy different from a toe joint biopsy?

This code is for sampling the lining of a foot joint. Use the separate toe-joint biopsy code, 28054, when the sampled joint is in a toe.

Can the surgeon also report a synovectomy?

A diagnostic tissue sample is distinct from therapeutic removal of joint lining. Report a separate synovectomy only when it is independently performed and documented, rather than treating the biopsy itself as a synovectomy.

Does joint exploration include a biopsy?

Exploration codes describe inspection or exploration of a joint, while this code represents obtaining tissue from the joint lining. The operative note should support each service reported.

What should the operative note document?

Document the specific foot joint, the tissue sampled, and the diagnostic reason for obtaining the specimen. The record should make clear that tissue was sampled rather than the lining being removed therapeutically.

How does Medicare handle bilateral reporting and multiple procedures?

Modifier 50 is subject to the bilateral payment rule of 150%. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are reduced to 50%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; team surgery is not permitted.

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 28050PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,104 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 28050 pays in Colorado?

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 28050 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

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

Join the waitlist