CPT code 28054: Joint biopsy, toe joint lining2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vallejo, CA

Reports surgical sampling of synovial lining from a toe joint when tissue is needed to investigate a joint condition.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality34 Medicare services in 2024

In Vallejo, CA, Medicare pays $433.52 for 28054 in the office and $255.23 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$433.52Office (non-facility)
$255.23Hospital or facility
+21.2%vs the national office rate ($357.72)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28054 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 28054 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vallejo, CA
  2. What 28054 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 28054 covers

A surgeon obtains a tissue sample from the synovial lining of a toe joint for diagnostic evaluation. This may be performed by a podiatric surgeon or an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon in an operating room when a joint disorder requires tissue examination, such as suspected inflammatory or proliferative synovial disease. The specimen is submitted for examination; the service is sampling, not removal of the joint lining as treatment.

Report the code when the operative record identifies the toe joint sampled and documents that lining tissue was obtained for biopsy. It has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 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 multiple procedure reduction. For bilateral reporting, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 Vallejo, CA compares for 28054

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28054 runs from $320.34 in Arkansas to $468.47 in San Benito County, CA. Vallejo, CA pays $433.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28054 in Vallejo, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Vallejo, CA · this page$433.52
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$378.40−$55.12
  3. Chico, CA · California$377.46−$56.06
  4. El Centro, CA · California$377.51−$56.01
  5. Fresno, CA · California$377.46−$56.06
  6. Hanford, CA · California$377.46−$56.06
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$401.65−$31.87

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

Every other payment area

28054 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$377.46$229.20
Merced, CACalifornia$377.46$229.20
Modesto, CACalifornia$377.46$229.20
Napa, CACalifornia$433.99$255.70
Oxnard, CACalifornia$399.51$239.62
Redding, CACalifornia$377.46$229.20
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$377.46$229.20
Riverside, CACalifornia$380.65$232.39

28054 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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.

$320.34

$426.56

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

View every state and territory as a table
28054 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$426.561
AL$324.541
AR$320.341
AZ$349.141
CA$377.46–$468.4729
CO$371.831
CT$379.931
DC$406.361
DE$354.541
FL$352.40–$382.043
GA$334.55–$363.732
GU$385.401
HI$385.401
IA$332.181
ID$334.071
IL$343.01–$372.274
IN$335.821
KS$330.671
KY$331.171
LA$330.66–$345.362
MA$369.90–$406.392
MD$360.87–$406.363
ME$335.52–$352.062
MI$338.81–$356.262
MN$357.631
MO$325.48–$346.623
MS$322.981
MT$357.701
NC$338.701
ND$351.971
NE$333.851
NH$366.021
NJ$384.64–$402.792
NM$340.431
NV$356.341
NY$343.26–$417.275
OH$337.631
OK$330.761
OR$353.92–$382.832
PA$338.18–$371.192
PR$360.131
RI$366.541
SC$338.651
SD$351.291
TN$332.141
TX$336.17–$370.308
UT$342.831
VA$350.94–$406.362
VI$360.131
VT$350.621
WA$369.21–$414.382
WI$341.291
WV$331.531
WY$355.211

See 28054 in every payment locality

How the 28054 rate is calculated

Each of 28054’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 · 28054

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.48

3.48 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.94

6.94 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

10.7100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$357.72

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

The exact Vallejo, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,106

Code
28054
Physician work
3.48
Practice expense
6.94
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

33

Locality
Vallejo, CA
Physician work
1.063
Practice expense
1.318
Malpractice
0.459
Office calculation for 28054 in Vallejo, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.48× 1.0633.6992
Practice expense6.94× 1.3189.1469
Malpractice0.29× 0.4590.1331
Total RVUs12.9793
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vallejo, CA$433.52

Office: (3.48 × 1.063 + 6.94 × 1.318 + 0.29 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $433.52

Facility: (3.48 × 1.063 + 2.89 × 1.318 + 0.29 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $255.23

Open 28054 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28054

28054 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28054

Joint biopsy, toe 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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
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 · 28054

Joint biopsy, toe 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

28054 without 50 · national office

$357.72

Joint biopsy, toe joint lining

28054-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$536.58

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

How 28054 has changed in Vallejo, CA

28054 · Office / nonfacility

$433.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $426.86 to $433.52 (1.6%).

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

    $426.86changed to$433.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.57 changed to 3.48
    • Practice expense RVU 7.09 changed to 6.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.063
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.310 changed to 1.318
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.470 changed to 0.459

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $441.74changed to$426.86

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.15 changed to 7.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $434.53changed to$441.74

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $432.96changed to$434.53

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.03 changed to 7.15
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.058
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.265 changed to 1.310
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.487 changed to 0.470
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $428.56changed to$432.96

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.98 changed to 7.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.265
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.504 changed to 0.487

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $438.74changed to$428.56

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.14 changed to 6.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $448.90changed to$438.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.91 changed to 7.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.044
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.238 changed to 1.220
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.496 changed to 0.504

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $457.62changed to$448.90

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.02 changed to 6.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.28
    • Work GPCI 1.055 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.256 changed to 1.238
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.496

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $457.57changed to$457.62

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.03 changed to 7.02

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $471.67changed to$457.57

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.27 changed to 7.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.25
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.055
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.256
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.477 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$471.67

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$433.52$255.23RVU26D
2026-07-01$433.52$255.23RVU26C
2026-04-01$433.52$255.23RVU26B
2026-01-01$433.52$255.23RVU26A
2025-10-01$426.86$267.11RVU25D
2025-07-01$426.86$267.11RVU25C
2025-04-01$426.86$267.11RVU25B
2025-01-01$426.86$267.11RVU25A
2024-10-01$441.74$271.67RVU24D
2024-07-01$441.74$271.67RVU24C
2024-04-01$441.74$271.67RVU24B
2024-03-09$441.74$271.67RVU24AR
2024-01-01$434.53$267.24RVU24A
2023-10-01$432.96$264.92RVU23D
2023-07-01$432.96$264.92RVU23C
2023-04-01$432.96$264.92RVU23B
2023-01-01$432.96$264.92RVU23A
2022-10-01$428.56$260.52RVU22D
2022-07-01$428.56$260.52RVU22C
2022-04-01$428.56$260.52RVU22B
2022-01-01$428.56$260.52RVU22A
2021-10-01$438.74$260.80RVU21D
2021-07-01$438.74$260.80RVU21C
2021-04-01$438.74$260.80RVU21B
2021-01-01$438.74$260.80RVU21A
2020-10-01$448.90$269.73RVU20D
2020-07-01$448.90$269.73RVU20C
2020-04-01$448.90$269.73RVU20B
2020-01-01$448.90$269.73RVU20A
2019-10-01$457.62$273.39RVU19D
2019-07-01$457.62$273.39RVU19C
2019-04-01$457.62$273.39RVU19B
2019-01-01$457.62$273.39RVU19A
2018-10-01$457.57$273.09RVU18D
2018-07-01$457.57$273.09RVU18C
2018-04-01$457.57$273.09RVU18B
2018-01-01$457.57$273.09RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$471.67$280.54RVU17D
2017-07-01$471.67$280.54RVU17C
2017-04-01$471.67$280.54RVU17B
2017-01-01$471.67$280.54RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 28054 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vallejo, CA rate applies

Vallejo, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 11 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Vallejo
  • Allendale
  • Benicia
  • Dixon
  • Elmira
  • Fairfield
  • Green Valley
  • Hartley

Browse all communities in California

28054 billing questions

How is this different from a foot-joint lining biopsy?

This code is for tissue sampled from a toe joint. Codes 28050 and 28052 describe foot-joint lining biopsies; select according to the joint and the applicable full code descriptor.

When would a toe-joint exploration code be used instead?

Code 28024 describes exploration of a toe joint. Report 28054 when synovial lining tissue is sampled for diagnostic evaluation, rather than reporting exploration alone.

How does biopsy differ from removal of toe-joint lining?

A biopsy takes tissue for diagnosis. Code 28072 is associated with removal of toe-joint lining as a therapeutic procedure.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The operative note should identify the toe joint, describe obtaining synovial lining tissue, and state the diagnostic reason for the sample.

How is bilateral performance reported?

CMS treats this as a bilateral procedure: modifier 50 is paid at 150% when the procedure is performed bilaterally.

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 28054PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,106 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Vallejo, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 33 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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