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CPT code 28225: Tendon release, flexor tendon2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Austin, TX

Reports surgical release of a flexor tendon in the foot when adhesions or restriction limit tendon movement and require operative treatment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality574 Medicare services in 2024

In Austin, TX, Medicare pays $425.16 for 28225 in the office and $256.60 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$425.16Office (non-facility)
$256.60Hospital or facility
+3.6%vs the national office rate ($410.50)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28225 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 28225 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Austin, TX
  2. What 28225 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 28225 covers

This service involves freeing a flexor tendon in the foot when restricted glide interferes with movement. An orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon may perform it in an operating room or other surgical setting, often for a tendon that remains tethered after prior surgery or injury. The operative work releases the tendon rather than repairing or grafting a damaged tendon or cutting it as a tenotomy.

Report the code when the operative note identifies the flexor tendon released, the foot and side treated, and the clinical restriction that prompted the procedure. This major surgery has a 90-day global period that includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For other procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and additional procedures are paid at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons are paid only with 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 Austin, TX compares for 28225

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28225 runs from $365.51 in Arkansas to $539.22 in San Benito County, CA. Austin, TX pays $425.16. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28225 in Austin, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Austin, TX · this page$425.16
  2. Beaumont, TX · Texas$384.89−$40.27
  3. Brazoria, TX · Texas$406.15−$19.01
  4. Dallas, TX · Texas$408.66−$16.50
  5. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$406.09−$19.07
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$407.32−$17.84
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$414.46−$10.70

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

Every other payment area

28225 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$395.25$244.05
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$461.36$272.88
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$467.44$279.75
Miami, FLFlorida$441.66$275.80
Chicago, ILIllinois$429.60$269.48
Manhattan, NYNew York$470.44$285.31
AlaskaAlaska$484.10$314.42
AlabamaAlabama$370.57$231.16

28225 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.

$365.51

$486.05

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

View every state and territory as a table
28225 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$484.101
AL$370.571
AR$365.511
AZ$400.121
CA$432.87–$539.2229
CO$426.671
CT$436.811
DC$467.441
DE$406.511
FL$404.98–$441.663
GA$383.38–$417.872
GU$442.581
HI$442.581
IA$379.331
ID$381.691
IL$393.97–$429.604
IN$383.781
KS$377.711
KY$378.951
LA$378.41–$396.092
MA$424.36–$467.322
MD$413.95–$467.443
ME$383.64–$403.222
MI$388.32–$409.842
MN$409.281
MO$372.32–$397.363
MS$368.981
MT$410.471
NC$387.421
ND$402.761
NE$381.281
NH$420.111
NJ$441.92–$463.022
NM$390.351
NV$408.601
NY$392.92–$481.385
OH$386.741
OK$378.251
OR$405.53–$439.572
PA$387.29–$426.472
PR$413.321
RI$420.481
SC$387.701
SD$401.851
TN$379.511
TX$384.89–$425.168
UT$392.721
VA$402.01–$467.442
VI$413.321
VT$401.321
WA$423.52–$476.522
WI$389.971
WV$380.191
WY$407.111

See 28225 in every payment locality

How the 28225 rate is calculated

Each of 28225’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 · 28225

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.69

3.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.21

8.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.39

0.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

12.2900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$410.50

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

The exact Austin, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,153

Code
28225
Physician work
3.69
Practice expense
8.21
Malpractice
0.39

GPCI2026.csv

96

Locality
Austin, TX
Physician work
1.002
Practice expense
1.058
Malpractice
0.886
Office calculation for 28225 in Austin, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.69× 1.0023.6974
Practice expense8.21× 1.0588.6862
Malpractice0.39× 0.8860.3455
Total RVUs12.7291
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Austin, TX$425.16

Office: (3.69 × 1.002 + 8.21 × 1.058 + 0.39 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $425.16

Facility: (3.69 × 1.002 + 3.44 × 1.058 + 0.39 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $256.60

Open 28225 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28225

28225 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28225

Tendon release, flexor tendon

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 · 28225

Tendon release, flexor tendon

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

28225 without 50 · national office

$410.50

Tendon release, flexor tendon

28225-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$615.75

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 28225

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

Codes related to 28225
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Austin, TX
Same family
28226Tendon release, multiple flexor tendonsRelated foot tendon release code for the extensor tendon.$689.80
28220Foot tendon release, single tendonRelated code for release of a foot tendon; compare the documented procedure and scope.$461.43
28222Tendon release, single extensor tendonRelated code for release involving foot tendons; compare the documented procedure and scope.$560.88
Used instead
28230Tendon incision, single extensor tendonDescribes tendon incision rather than freeing a restricted flexor tendon.$445.09
28232Toe tendon incision, single flexor tendonDescribes flexor tendon incision in a toe, rather than foot tendon release.$387.44

How 28225 has changed in Austin, TX

28225 · Office / nonfacility

$425.16

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $13.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $411.24 to $425.16 (3.4%).

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

    $411.24changed to$425.16

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.78 changed to 3.69
    • Practice expense RVU 8.20 changed to 8.21
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.058
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.914 changed to 0.886

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $424.55changed to$411.24

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.23 changed to 8.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $417.63changed to$424.55

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $427.70changed to$417.63

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.12 changed to 8.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.046
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.727 changed to 0.914

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $434.57changed to$427.70

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.08 changed to 8.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.059 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.727

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $444.65changed to$434.57

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.25 changed to 8.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.41

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $441.09changed to$444.65

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.87 changed to 8.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.040 changed to 1.059
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $440.73changed to$441.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.99 changed to 7.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.040
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $433.56changed to$440.73

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.83 changed to 7.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $430.97changed to$433.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.80 changed to 7.83
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $425.87changed to$430.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.70 changed to 7.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.766 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $425.58changed to$425.87

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.65 changed to 7.70

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $423.46changed to$425.58

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $420.08changed to$423.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.59 changed to 7.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.759 changed to 0.766

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $427.29changed to$420.08

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.44 changed to 7.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.751 changed to 0.759

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $427.29

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$425.16$256.60RVU26D
2026-07-01$425.16$256.60RVU26C
2026-04-01$425.16$256.60RVU26B
2026-01-01$425.16$256.60RVU26A
2025-10-01$411.24$267.78RVU25D
2025-07-01$411.24$267.78RVU25C
2025-04-01$411.24$267.78RVU25B
2025-01-01$411.24$267.78RVU25A
2024-10-01$424.55$272.40RVU24D
2024-07-01$424.55$272.40RVU24C
2024-04-01$424.55$272.40RVU24B
2024-03-09$424.55$272.40RVU24AR
2024-01-01$417.63$267.95RVU24A
2023-10-01$427.70$269.98RVU23D
2023-07-01$427.70$269.98RVU23C
2023-04-01$427.70$269.98RVU23B
2023-01-01$427.70$269.98RVU23A
2022-10-01$434.57$269.66RVU22D
2022-07-01$434.57$269.66RVU22C
2022-04-01$434.57$269.66RVU22B
2022-01-01$434.57$269.66RVU22A
2021-10-01$444.65$270.60RVU21D
2021-07-01$444.65$270.60RVU21C
2021-04-01$444.65$270.60RVU21B
2021-01-01$444.65$270.60RVU21A
2020-10-01$441.09$273.69RVU20D
2020-07-01$441.09$273.69RVU20C
2020-04-01$441.09$273.69RVU20B
2020-01-01$441.09$273.69RVU20A
2019-10-01$440.73$274.78RVU19D
2019-07-01$440.73$274.78RVU19C
2019-04-01$440.73$274.78RVU19B
2019-01-01$440.73$274.78RVU19A
2018-10-01$433.56$270.36RVU18D
2018-07-01$433.56$270.36RVU18C
2018-04-01$433.56$270.36RVU18B
2018-01-01$433.56$270.36RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$430.97$269.17RVU17D
2017-07-01$430.97$269.17RVU17C
2017-04-01$430.97$269.17RVU17B
2017-01-01$430.97$269.17RVU17A
2016-10-01$425.87$266.43RVU16D
2016-07-01$425.87$266.43RVU16C
2016-04-01$425.87$266.43RVU16B
2016-01-01$425.87$266.43RVU16A
2015-10-01$425.58$265.93RVU15D
2015-07-01$425.58$265.93RVU15C
2015-04-01$423.46$264.61RVU15B
2015-01-01$423.46$264.61RVU15A
2014-10-01$420.08$263.89RVU14D
2014-07-01$420.08$263.89RVU14C
2014-04-01$420.08$263.89RVU14B
2014-01-01$420.08$263.89RVU14A
2013-10-01$427.29$262.16RVU13D
2013-07-01$427.29$262.16RVU13C
2013-04-01$427.29$262.16RVU13B
2013-01-01$427.29$262.16RVU13AR

Price 28225 for an earlier date of service

Where the Austin, TX rate applies

Austin, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

28225 billing questions

How is this different from a foot tendon tenotomy?

This code describes freeing a restricted flexor tendon. Tenotomy codes describe cutting or incising a tendon, rather than releasing adhesions to restore its glide.

What should the operative note identify?

Document the flexor tendon released, the foot and laterality, the reason its movement was restricted, and the release performed.

Does the 90-day global period include postoperative visits?

Yes. Related postoperative care for 90 days and the day-before preoperative visit are included in the global period.

How is bilateral treatment reported?

When the procedure is performed on both feet, modifier 50 identifies the bilateral service; CMS pays it at 150%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted. Co-surgeons are paid only when supporting documentation is provided.

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 28225PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,153 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Austin, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 96 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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