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CPT code 28260: Midfoot release, midfoot joint capsule2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Surgical release of a contracted midfoot joint capsule, sometimes with tendon lengthening, to address restricted motion or a fixed foot deformity.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality382 Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $713.10 for 28260 in the office and $480.63 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$713.10Office (non-facility)
$480.63Hospital or facility
−5.9%vs the national office rate ($758.20)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28260 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 28260 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 28260 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 28260 covers

This operation releases a contracted capsule at a midfoot joint to improve joint motion or correct a fixed deformity. Tendon lengthening may be part of the correction. It is typically performed by an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon in an operating room, with the operative report identifying the affected joint and the structures released.

Report 28260 when the documented work is a midfoot joint release; describe the contracture, operative extent, and any tendon lengthening performed. The service 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. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services may be paid; 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 North Carolina compares for 28260

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28260 runs from $674.68 in Arkansas to $967.20 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $713.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28260 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$713.10
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$837.56+$124.46
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$857.38+$144.28
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$839.97+$126.87
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$815.95+$102.85
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$872.44+$159.34
  7. Alaska · Alaska$902.28+$189.18

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

Every other payment area

28260 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$683.99$465.96
ArkansasArkansas$674.68$460.64
ArizonaArizona$738.29$496.84
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$790.27$517.18
Chico, CACalifornia$786.71$513.62
El Centro, CACalifornia$786.92$513.83
Fresno, CACalifornia$786.71$513.62
Hanford, CACalifornia$786.71$513.62

28260 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.

$674.68

$902.28

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

View every state and territory as a table
28260 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$902.281
AL$683.991
AR$674.681
AZ$738.291
CA$786.71–$967.2029
CO$781.131
CT$806.881
DC$857.381
DE$749.951
FL$759.24–$839.973
GA$717.56–$774.522
GU$802.401
HI$802.401
IA$694.981
ID$700.381
IL$742.38–$815.954
IN$704.071
KS$694.471
KY$704.741
LA$704.72–$737.292
MA$777.91–$851.872
MD$762.87–$857.383
ME$706.55–$738.872
MI$724.40–$770.872
MN$742.091
MO$695.04–$736.693
MS$684.851
MT$758.121
NC$713.101
ND$733.601
NE$697.801
NH$771.471
NJ$814.28–$849.822
NM$729.181
NV$751.731
NY$723.40–$895.815
OH$719.391
OK$700.821
OR$744.10–$801.812
PA$719.03–$789.442
PR$762.531
RI$773.651
SC$717.791
SD$730.701
TN$698.081
TX$714.77–$780.118
UT$726.981
VA$738.38–$857.382
VI$762.531
VT$733.241
WA$775.62–$866.092
WI$710.641
WV$717.111
WY$747.431

See 28260 in every payment locality

How the 28260 rate is calculated

Each of 28260’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 · 28260

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work7.99

7.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense13.47

13.47 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.24

1.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

22.7000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$758.20

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,161

Code
28260
Physician work
7.99
Practice expense
13.47
Malpractice
1.24

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 28260 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work7.99× 1.0007.9900
Practice expense13.47× 0.93312.5675
Malpractice1.24× 0.6390.7924
Total RVUs21.3499
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$713.10

Office: (7.99 × 1 + 13.47 × 0.933 + 1.24 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $713.10

Facility: (7.99 × 1 + 6.01 × 0.933 + 1.24 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $480.63

Open 28260 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28260

28260 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28260

Midfoot release, midfoot joint capsule

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 · 28260

Midfoot release, midfoot joint capsule

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

28260 without 50 · national office

$758.20

Midfoot release, midfoot joint capsule

28260-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,137.30

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 28260

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

Codes related to 28260
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
28264Midfoot release, extensive capsular releaseAnother midfoot joint release code; select based on the documented operative extent.$901.55
Used instead
28270Foot contracture release, midfoot joint, each jointConsider for a foot contracture release when the procedure does not match this midfoot joint release.$461.77
28272Toe joint release, interphalangeal joint, eachFor release of a toe joint contracture rather than a midfoot joint.$356.94
28222Tendon release, single extensor tendonTendon-directed release work differs from release of a midfoot joint capsule.$513.51

How 28260 has changed in North Carolina

28260 · Office / nonfacility

$713.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $53.23 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $659.87 to $713.10 (8.1%).

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

    $659.87changed to$713.10

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 8.19 changed to 7.99
    • Practice expense RVU 12.36 changed to 13.47
    • Malpractice RVU 1.15 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $686.60changed to$659.87

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 12.59 changed to 12.36
    • Malpractice RVU 1.17 changed to 1.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $675.39changed to$686.60

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $687.62changed to$675.39

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 12.15 changed to 12.59
    • Malpractice RVU 1.13 changed to 1.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $690.95changed to$687.62

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.71 changed to 12.15
    • Malpractice RVU 1.11 changed to 1.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $690.50changed to$690.95

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 11.59 changed to 11.71
    • Malpractice RVU 1.03 changed to 1.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $692.30changed to$690.50

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 10.99 changed to 11.59
    • Malpractice RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $678.31changed to$692.30

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 10.74 changed to 10.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.91 changed to 1.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $677.98changed to$678.31

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 10.76 changed to 10.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.90 changed to 0.91

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $682.15changed to$677.98

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 10.88 changed to 10.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.94 changed to 0.90
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $674.77changed to$682.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.69 changed to 10.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.93 changed to 0.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $678.42changed to$674.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.71 changed to 10.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.95 changed to 0.93

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $675.05changed to$678.42

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $666.79changed to$675.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 10.44 changed to 10.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.99 changed to 0.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $656.56changed to$666.79

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.21 changed to 10.44
    • Malpractice RVU 1.03 changed to 0.99
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $656.56

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$713.10$480.63RVU26D
2026-07-01$713.10$480.63RVU26C
2026-04-01$713.10$480.63RVU26B
2026-01-01$713.10$480.63RVU26A
2025-10-01$659.87$500.22RVU25D
2025-07-01$659.87$500.22RVU25C
2025-04-01$659.87$500.22RVU25B
2025-01-01$659.87$500.22RVU25A
2024-10-01$686.60$514.60RVU24D
2024-07-01$686.60$514.60RVU24C
2024-04-01$686.60$514.60RVU24B
2024-03-09$686.60$514.60RVU24AR
2024-01-01$675.39$506.20RVU24A
2023-10-01$687.62$514.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$687.62$514.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$687.62$514.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$687.62$514.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$690.95$515.60RVU22D
2022-07-01$690.95$515.60RVU22C
2022-04-01$690.95$515.60RVU22B
2022-01-01$690.95$515.60RVU22A
2021-10-01$690.50$509.82RVU21D
2021-07-01$690.50$509.82RVU21C
2021-04-01$690.50$509.82RVU21B
2021-01-01$690.50$509.82RVU21A
2020-10-01$692.30$516.76RVU20D
2020-07-01$692.30$516.76RVU20C
2020-04-01$692.30$516.76RVU20B
2020-01-01$692.30$516.76RVU20A
2019-10-01$678.31$505.51RVU19D
2019-07-01$678.31$505.51RVU19C
2019-04-01$678.31$505.51RVU19B
2019-01-01$678.31$505.51RVU19A
2018-10-01$677.98$504.71RVU18D
2018-07-01$677.98$504.71RVU18C
2018-04-01$677.98$504.71RVU18B
2018-01-01$677.98$504.71RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$682.15$508.74RVU17D
2017-07-01$682.15$508.74RVU17C
2017-04-01$682.15$508.74RVU17B
2017-01-01$682.15$508.74RVU17A
2016-10-01$674.77$504.28RVU16D
2016-07-01$674.77$504.28RVU16C
2016-04-01$674.77$504.28RVU16B
2016-01-01$674.77$504.28RVU16A
2015-10-01$678.42$506.99RVU15D
2015-07-01$678.42$506.99RVU15C
2015-04-01$675.05$504.46RVU15B
2015-01-01$675.05$504.46RVU15A
2014-10-01$666.79$500.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$666.79$500.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$666.79$500.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$666.79$500.39RVU14A
2013-10-01$656.56$484.67RVU13D
2013-07-01$656.56$484.67RVU13C
2013-04-01$656.56$484.67RVU13B
2013-01-01$656.56$484.67RVU13AR

Price 28260 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

28260 billing questions

How does 28260 differ from 28264?

Both concern release of a midfoot joint. Choose the code that matches the documented extent and specific operative work; 28264 represents a distinct midfoot release level.

When is 28260 preferable to a foot tendon-release code?

Use 28260 when the operative target is the midfoot joint capsule. A tendon-release code describes tendon-directed work rather than release of the joint capsule.

Can tendon lengthening be part of 28260?

Yes. Tendon lengthening may accompany the midfoot capsular release as part of correcting the contracture; document the tendon and work performed.

How should bilateral midfoot releases be reported?

Report the bilateral procedure with modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

What postoperative care is included?

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

What documentation supports assistant or co-surgeon payment?

Assistant-at-surgery services may be paid. 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 28260PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,161 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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