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CPT code 28238: Tendon revision, foot tendon2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports operative revision of a foot tendon when the documented procedure revises previously treated tendon tissue rather than performing a straightforward primary repair.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality667 Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $706.79 for 28238 in the office and $466.20 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$706.79Office (non-facility)
$466.20Hospital or facility
+3.1%vs the national office rate ($685.39)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28238 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 28238 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 28238 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 28238 covers

CPT 28238 covers operative revision of a tendon in the foot. An orthopedic foot-and-ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon may perform the procedure when the tendon requires revision after prior treatment. The specific tendon, side, and operative approach depend on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s findings. The operative report should make clear that the work is a revision of the foot tendon, not simply a new primary repair or a tendon release.

Select the code based on the procedure actually performed and documented. Identify the affected tendon and side, the reason for revision, and the revision work in the operative report. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, which includes 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. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made; co-surgeon payment requires 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 28238

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28238 runs from $614.38 in Arkansas to $873.53 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $706.79. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28238 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$706.79
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$757.54+$50.75
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$773.18+$66.39
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$750.08+$43.29
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$730.26+$23.47
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$784.47+$77.68
  7. Alaska · Alaska$826.38+$119.59

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

Every other payment area

28238 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$622.31$424.45
ArkansasArkansas$614.38$420.14
ArizonaArizona$668.59$449.47
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$715.77$467.94
Chico, CACalifornia$712.94$465.11
El Centro, CACalifornia$713.10$465.26
Fresno, CACalifornia$712.94$465.11
Hanford, CACalifornia$712.94$465.11

28238 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.

$614.38

$826.38

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

View every state and territory as a table
28238 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$826.381
AL$622.311
AR$614.381
AZ$668.591
CA$712.94–$873.5329
CO$706.791
CT$727.611
DC$773.181
DE$678.741
FL$683.99–$750.083
GA$648.88–$698.852
GU$726.071
HI$726.071
IA$632.721
ID$637.111
IL$668.93–$730.264
IN$640.281
KS$631.781
KY$638.901
LA$638.69–$666.432
MA$704.00–$769.052
MD$690.11–$773.183
ME$641.84–$670.132
MI$655.16–$693.352
MN$674.491
MO$630.13–$666.523
MS$622.271
MT$685.321
NC$647.501
ND$666.541
NE$635.281
NH$697.591
NJ$735.12–$766.992
NM$659.021
NV$680.481
NY$656.24–$803.725
OH$651.321
OK$636.101
OR$674.38–$725.202
PA$651.30–$712.352
PR$689.251
RI$699.901
SC$650.651
SD$664.321
TN$634.801
TX$647.63–$705.178
UT$658.481
VA$669.35–$773.182
VI$689.251
VT$665.771
WA$702.08–$782.082
WI$646.861
WV$647.391
WY$677.141

See 28238 in every payment locality

How the 28238 rate is calculated

Each of 28238’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 · 28238

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work7.76

7.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense11.81

11.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.95

0.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

20.5200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$685.39

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

3,158

Code
28238
Physician work
7.76
Practice expense
11.81
Malpractice
0.95

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 28238 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work7.76× 1.0127.8531
Practice expense11.81× 1.06412.5658
Malpractice0.95× 0.7810.7419
Total RVUs21.1609
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$706.79

Office: (7.76 × 1.012 + 11.81 × 1.064 + 0.95 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $706.79

Facility: (7.76 × 1.012 + 5.04 × 1.064 + 0.95 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $466.20

Open 28238 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28238

28238 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28238

Tendon revision, foot 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)2Paid.
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 · 28238

Tendon revision, foot 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

28238 without 50 · national office

$685.39

Tendon revision, foot tendon

28238-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,028.09

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 28238

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

Codes related to 28238
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Used instead
28200Foot tendon repair, flexor, without free graftFor foot flexor tendon repair without a free graft, rather than a documented revision.$523.31
28202Tendon repair, flexor tendon with graftFor foot flexor tendon repair with a free graft, rather than a documented revision.$628.46
28208Tendon repair, foot extensor, no graftFor foot extensor tendon repair without a free graft, rather than a documented revision.$517.30
28210Tendon repair, foot extensor, secondary with graftFor foot extensor tendon repair with a free graft, rather than a documented revision.$617.72
28220Foot tendon release, single tendonFor tendon release or adhesion work when that, rather than tendon revision, is performed.$463.09

How 28238 has changed in Colorado

28238 · Office / nonfacility

$706.79

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $45.00 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $661.79 to $706.79 (6.8%).

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

    $661.79changed to$706.79

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 7.96 changed to 7.76
    • Practice expense RVU 11.15 changed to 11.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.84 changed to 0.95
    • 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

    $688.22changed to$661.79

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 11.30 changed to 11.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.91 changed to 0.84

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $676.99changed to$688.22

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $695.06changed to$676.99

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 11.24 changed to 11.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.89 changed to 0.91
    • 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

    $697.46changed to$695.06

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 10.98 changed to 11.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.89
    • 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

    $697.89changed to$697.46

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.87 changed to 10.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.85 changed to 0.90

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $702.43changed to$697.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 10.40 changed to 10.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.84 changed to 0.85
    • 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

    $705.07changed to$702.43

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 10.58 changed to 10.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 0.84
    • 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

    $705.75changed to$705.07

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 10.63 changed to 10.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.80

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $702.04changed to$705.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 10.59 changed to 10.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 0.79
    • 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

    $699.95changed to$702.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Malpractice RVU 0.81 changed to 0.80
    • 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

    $709.89changed to$699.95

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.74 changed to 10.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.81

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $706.35changed to$709.89

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $694.92changed to$706.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 10.55 changed to 10.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.82 changed to 0.86
    • 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

    $684.04changed to$694.92

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.35 changed to 10.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.82
    • 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: $684.04

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$706.79$466.20RVU26D
2026-07-01$706.79$466.20RVU26C
2026-04-01$706.79$466.20RVU26B
2026-01-01$706.79$466.20RVU26A
2025-10-01$661.79$484.67RVU25D
2025-07-01$661.79$484.67RVU25C
2025-04-01$661.79$484.67RVU25B
2025-01-01$661.79$484.67RVU25A
2024-10-01$688.22$499.65RVU24D
2024-07-01$688.22$499.65RVU24C
2024-04-01$688.22$499.65RVU24B
2024-03-09$688.22$499.65RVU24AR
2024-01-01$676.99$491.49RVU24A
2023-10-01$695.06$501.86RVU23D
2023-07-01$695.06$501.86RVU23C
2023-04-01$695.06$501.86RVU23B
2023-01-01$695.06$501.86RVU23A
2022-10-01$697.46$500.72RVU22D
2022-07-01$697.46$500.72RVU22C
2022-04-01$697.46$500.72RVU22B
2022-01-01$697.46$500.72RVU22A
2021-10-01$697.89$495.50RVU21D
2021-07-01$697.89$495.50RVU21C
2021-04-01$697.89$495.50RVU21B
2021-01-01$697.89$495.50RVU21A
2020-10-01$702.43$507.45RVU20D
2020-07-01$702.43$507.45RVU20C
2020-04-01$702.43$507.45RVU20B
2020-01-01$702.43$507.45RVU20A
2019-10-01$705.07$509.52RVU19D
2019-07-01$705.07$509.52RVU19C
2019-04-01$705.07$509.52RVU19B
2019-01-01$705.07$509.52RVU19A
2018-10-01$705.75$508.59RVU18D
2018-07-01$705.75$508.59RVU18C
2018-04-01$705.75$508.59RVU18B
2018-01-01$705.75$508.59RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$702.04$507.16RVU17D
2017-07-01$702.04$507.16RVU17C
2017-04-01$702.04$507.16RVU17B
2017-01-01$702.04$507.16RVU17A
2016-10-01$699.95$506.65RVU16D
2016-07-01$699.95$506.65RVU16C
2016-04-01$699.95$506.65RVU16B
2016-01-01$699.95$506.65RVU16A
2015-10-01$709.89$512.98RVU15D
2015-07-01$709.89$512.98RVU15C
2015-04-01$706.35$510.43RVU15B
2015-01-01$706.35$510.43RVU15A
2014-10-01$694.92$503.18RVU14D
2014-07-01$694.92$503.18RVU14C
2014-04-01$694.92$503.18RVU14B
2014-01-01$694.92$503.18RVU14A
2013-10-01$684.04$486.26RVU13D
2013-07-01$684.04$486.26RVU13C
2013-04-01$684.04$486.26RVU13B
2013-01-01$684.04$486.26RVU13AR

Price 28238 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

28238 billing questions

How does 28238 differ from a foot tendon repair code?

Use 28238 for a documented revision of a foot tendon. Codes such as 28200 or 28208 describe tendon repair services, with the code choice depending on the tendon and repair details.

Can tendon release or adhesion work be reported as 28238?

Choose the code for the work actually performed. A tendon release or adhesion procedure is distinct from revising the tendon itself.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.

How is 28238 paid when other 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 at 50%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; team surgery is not permitted.

How should bilateral surgery be reported?

For bilateral surgery, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

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 28238PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,158 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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