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CPT code 28230: Tendon incision, single extensor tendon2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Chicago, IL

Report this procedure for open division of one extensor tendon in the foot or toe to address a tendon-related deformity or contracture.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Chicago, IL, Medicare pays $451.50 for 28230 in the office and $290.04 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$451.50Office (non-facility)
$290.04Hospital or facility
+4.9%vs the national office rate ($430.54)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28230 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 28230 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Chicago, IL
  2. What 28230 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 28230 covers

This procedure is an open tenotomy: the surgeon exposes and intentionally divides one extensor tendon in the foot or toe. A podiatric or orthopedic surgeon may perform it to address a deformity or contracture when the extensor tendon is contributing to the problem. The operative report should identify the tendon, its location, the side, and the reason for division; a procedure involving multiple extensor tendons is distinguished from a single-tendon service.

Report the service for the open division itself, not for freeing a tendon from adhesions or repairing a torn tendon. Documentation should support the tendon treated and the open approach. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral surgery reported with modifier 50, payment is 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid; 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 Chicago, IL compares for 28230

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28230 runs from $384.91 in Arkansas to $560.69 in San Benito County, CA. Chicago, IL pays $451.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28230 in Chicago, IL vs other payment areas
  1. Chicago, IL · this page$451.50
  2. East St. Louis, IL · Illinois$423.16−$28.34
  3. Rest of Illinois · Illinois$414.77−$36.73
  4. Suburban Chicago, IL · Illinois$450.02−$1.48
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$481.71+$30.21
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$488.64+$37.14
  7. Miami, FL · Florida$463.74+$12.24

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

Every other payment area

28230 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Manhattan, NYNew York$492.46$305.78
AlaskaAlaska$512.89$341.79
AlabamaAlabama$390.03$249.45
ArkansasArkansas$384.91$246.90
ArizonaArizona$419.97$264.29
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$453.94$277.86
Chico, CACalifornia$452.61$276.53
El Centro, CACalifornia$452.68$276.60

28230 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.

$384.91

$512.89

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

View every state and territory as a table
28230 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$512.891
AL$390.031
AR$384.911
AZ$419.971
CA$452.61–$560.6929
CO$446.651
CT$457.511
DC$488.641
DE$426.511
FL$425.70–$463.743
GA$403.68–$438.242
GU$462.061
HI$462.061
IA$398.571
ID$401.031
IL$414.77–$451.504
IN$403.141
KS$397.091
KY$398.881
LA$398.40–$416.312
MA$444.43–$487.982
MD$434.07–$488.643
ME$403.17–$422.772
MI$408.53–$430.792
MN$428.381
MO$392.32–$417.403
MS$388.671
MT$430.511
NC$406.981
ND$422.011
NE$400.491
NH$439.991
NJ$462.84–$484.332
NM$410.661
NV$428.411
NY$412.56–$503.765
OH$406.801
OK$397.991
OR$425.18–$459.572
PA$407.26–$447.112
PR$433.341
RI$440.731
SC$407.541
SD$421.001
TN$398.931
TX$404.84–$445.098
UT$412.621
VA$421.65–$488.642
VI$433.341
VT$420.701
WA$443.48–$497.262
WI$409.081
WV$400.801
WY$426.801

See 28230 in every payment locality

How the 28230 rate is calculated

Each of 28230’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 · 28230

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.25

4.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.21

8.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.43

0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

12.8900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$430.54

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

The exact Chicago, IL inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,155

Code
28230
Physician work
4.25
Practice expense
8.21
Malpractice
0.43

GPCI2026.csv

48

Locality
Chicago, IL
Physician work
1.007
Practice expense
1.005
Malpractice
2.295
Office calculation for 28230 in Chicago, IL
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.25× 1.0074.2797
Practice expense8.21× 1.0058.2510
Malpractice0.43× 2.2950.9869
Total RVUs13.5176
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Chicago, IL$451.50

Office: (4.25 × 1.007 + 8.21 × 1.005 + 0.43 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $451.50

Facility: (4.25 × 1.007 + 3.4 × 1.005 + 0.43 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $290.04

Open 28230 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28230

28230 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28230

Tendon incision, single extensor 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)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 · 28230

Tendon incision, single extensor 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

28230 without 50 · national office

$430.54

Tendon incision, single extensor tendon

28230-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$645.81

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 28230

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

Codes related to 28230
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Chicago, IL
Same family
28234Extensor tenotomy, single tendonOpen extensor tenotomy for multiple tendons rather than one.$430.06
Used instead
28232Toe tendon incision, single flexor tendonOpen division of a flexor tendon instead of an extensor tendon.$390.84
28222Tendon release, single extensor tendonFrees a single extensor tendon from adhesions rather than dividing it.$573.24
28220Foot tendon release, single tendonFrees a single flexor tendon from adhesions rather than dividing it.$468.07

How 28230 has changed in Chicago, IL

28230 · Office / nonfacility

$451.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.73 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $439.77 to $451.50 (2.7%).

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

    $439.77changed to$451.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.36 changed to 4.25
    • Practice expense RVU 8.15 changed to 8.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.018 changed to 2.295

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $453.26changed to$439.77

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.19 changed to 8.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $445.86changed to$453.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $461.00changed to$445.86

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.12 changed to 8.19
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.023
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.945 changed to 2.018

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $468.48changed to$461.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.01 changed to 8.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.42
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.871 changed to 1.945

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $478.04changed to$468.48

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.13 changed to 8.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.41

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $478.95changed to$478.04

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.79 changed to 8.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.898 changed to 1.871

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $477.28changed to$478.95

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.85 changed to 7.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.41
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.925 changed to 1.898

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $476.06changed to$477.28

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $477.11changed to$476.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.37
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.972 changed to 1.925

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $476.07changed to$477.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.83 changed to 7.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.036
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.019 changed to 1.972

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $481.83changed to$476.07

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.88 changed to 7.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.37

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $479.43changed to$481.83

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $477.52changed to$479.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.77 changed to 7.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.037
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.048 changed to 2.019

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $479.29changed to$477.52

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.36 changed to 7.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.37
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.077 changed to 2.048

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$479.29

  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$451.50$290.04RVU26D
2026-07-01$451.50$290.04RVU26C
2026-04-01$451.50$290.04RVU26B
2026-01-01$451.50$290.04RVU26A
2025-10-01$439.77$300.46RVU25D
2025-07-01$439.77$300.46RVU25C
2025-04-01$439.77$300.46RVU25B
2025-01-01$439.77$300.46RVU25A
2024-10-01$453.26$305.47RVU24D
2024-07-01$453.26$305.47RVU24C
2024-04-01$453.26$305.47RVU24B
2024-03-09$453.26$305.47RVU24AR
2024-01-01$445.86$300.48RVU24A
2023-10-01$461.00$306.98RVU23D
2023-07-01$461.00$306.98RVU23C
2023-04-01$461.00$306.98RVU23B
2023-01-01$461.00$306.98RVU23A
2022-10-01$468.48$307.71RVU22D
2022-07-01$468.48$307.71RVU22C
2022-04-01$468.48$307.71RVU22B
2022-01-01$468.48$307.71RVU22A
2021-10-01$478.04$309.38RVU21D
2021-07-01$478.04$309.38RVU21C
2021-04-01$478.04$309.38RVU21B
2021-01-01$478.04$309.38RVU21A
2020-10-01$478.95$313.97RVU20D
2020-07-01$478.95$313.97RVU20C
2020-04-01$478.95$313.97RVU20B
2020-01-01$478.95$313.97RVU20A
2019-10-01$477.28$312.57RVU19D
2019-07-01$477.28$312.57RVU19C
2019-04-01$477.28$312.57RVU19B
2019-01-01$477.28$312.57RVU19A
2018-10-01$476.06$311.16RVU18D
2018-07-01$476.06$311.16RVU18C
2018-04-01$476.06$311.16RVU18B
2018-01-01$476.06$311.16RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$477.11$312.78RVU17D
2017-07-01$477.11$312.78RVU17C
2017-04-01$477.11$312.78RVU17B
2017-01-01$477.11$312.78RVU17A
2016-10-01$476.07$311.96RVU16D
2016-07-01$476.07$311.96RVU16C
2016-04-01$476.07$311.96RVU16B
2016-01-01$476.07$311.96RVU16A
2015-10-01$481.83$316.01RVU15D
2015-07-01$481.83$316.01RVU15C
2015-04-01$479.43$314.44RVU15B
2015-01-01$479.43$314.44RVU15A
2014-10-01$477.52$314.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$477.52$314.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$477.52$314.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$477.52$314.08RVU14A
2013-10-01$479.29$309.79RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 28230 for an earlier date of service

Where the Chicago, IL rate applies

Chicago, IL is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 137 cities and communities in Illinois. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Illinois

28230 billing questions

When should I report this instead of 28234?

Report 28230 for open division of one extensor tendon. Code 28234 is the corresponding service when multiple extensor tendons are divided.

How does this differ from 28232?

28230 describes division of an extensor tendon; 28232 is for an open tenotomy of a flexor tendon. The operative note should establish which tendon was treated.

Is tendon release from adhesions reported with this code?

No. Tenotomy divides the tendon; tenolysis frees a tendon from adhesions. For a single extensor tendon, compare the documented service with 28222.

What documentation supports reporting one tendon?

Document the specific extensor tendon, foot or toe location, side, open approach, and clinical reason for division. The record should distinguish one tendon from multiple tendons.

How is bilateral surgery reported under the CMS rules?

For the bilateral procedure, report modifier 50; CMS payment is 150%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?

CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeons and team surgery are 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 28230PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,155 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Chicago, ILGPCI2026.csv, line 48 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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