CPT code 28291: Hallux rigidus surgery, with implant2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Corrects painful, stiff first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis with joint debridement and an implant when motion-preserving surgery is selected.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $755.77 for 28291 in the office and $487.82 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$755.77Office (non-facility)
$487.82Hospital or facility
+12.7%vs the national office rate ($670.36)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28291 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 28291 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 28291 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 28291 covers

A foot and ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon uses this code for implant arthroplasty to treat symptomatic hallux rigidus at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The procedure addresses degenerative joint changes and restricted, painful great-toe motion through joint debridement, removal of obstructive bone, capsular release, and implant placement. It is typically performed in an outpatient surgical setting when the operative plan includes an implant rather than correction without one.

Report 28291 for the documented implant procedure, not simply because imaging shows arthritis or an implant was considered. The operative report should support the hallux rigidus diagnosis, the work performed at the joint, and implant placement. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. In a same-session multiple-procedure case, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. 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 Washington, DC area compares for 28291

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28291 runs from $604.34 in Arkansas to $858.26 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $755.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28291 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$755.77
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$743.51−$12.26
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$722.93−$32.84
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$705.25−$50.52
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$763.59+$7.82
  6. Alaska · Alaska$815.04+$59.27
  7. Alabama · Alabama$611.74−$144.03

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

28291 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$604.34$408.96
ArizonaArizona$654.94$434.54
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$702.91$453.62
Chico, CACalifornia$700.63$451.34
El Centro, CACalifornia$700.76$451.46
Fresno, CACalifornia$700.63$451.34
Hanford, CACalifornia$700.63$451.34
Madera, CACalifornia$700.63$451.34

28291 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.

$604.34

$815.04

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

View every state and territory as a table
28291 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$815.041
AL$611.741
AR$604.341
AZ$654.941
CA$700.63–$858.2629
CO$692.891
CT$710.301
DC$755.771
DE$664.611
FL$665.49–$722.933
GA$633.35–$682.142
GU$713.041
HI$713.041
IA$623.091
ID$626.851
IL$650.36–$705.254
IN$629.861
KS$621.431
KY$625.531
LA$625.02–$650.892
MA$690.08–$753.182
MD$675.62–$755.773
ME$630.43–$658.012
MI$639.92–$673.362
MN$664.601
MO$616.54–$651.903
MS$610.501
MT$670.311
NC$635.851
ND$656.071
NE$625.721
NH$683.151
NJ$718.58–$750.102
NM$643.201
NV$666.731
NY$643.94–$780.515
OH$637.011
OK$623.751
OR$661.67–$711.162
PA$637.43–$695.502
PR$674.241
RI$685.431
SC$637.451
SD$654.391
TN$624.151
TX$633.96–$690.498
UT$644.781
VA$656.73–$755.772
VI$674.241
VT$654.621
WA$688.43–$766.492
WI$637.531
WV$630.231
WY$664.101

See 28291 in every payment locality

How the 28291 rate is calculated

Each of 28291’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 · 28291

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work7.81

7.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense11.54

11.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.72

0.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

20.0700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$670.36

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,172

Code
28291
Physician work
7.81
Practice expense
11.54
Malpractice
0.72

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 28291 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work7.81× 1.0548.2317
Practice expense11.54× 1.17813.5941
Malpractice0.72× 1.1130.8014
Total RVUs22.6272
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$755.77

Office: (7.81 × 1.054 + 11.54 × 1.178 + 0.72 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $755.77

Facility: (7.81 × 1.054 + 4.73 × 1.178 + 0.72 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $487.82

Open 28291 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28291

28291 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28291

Hallux rigidus surgery, with implant

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 · 28291

Hallux rigidus surgery, with implant

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

28291 without 50 · national office

$670.36

Hallux rigidus surgery, with implant

28291-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,005.54

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 28291 has changed in Washington, DC area

28291 · Office / nonfacility

$755.77

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.12 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $750.65 to $755.77 (0.7%).

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

    $750.65changed to$755.77

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 8.01 changed to 7.81
    • Practice expense RVU 11.67 changed to 11.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.71 changed to 0.72
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $783.57changed to$750.65

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 11.92 changed to 11.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.71

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $770.78changed to$783.57

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $810.36changed to$770.78

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 11.97 changed to 11.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.75 changed to 0.74
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $846.38changed to$810.36

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 12.13 changed to 11.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.75
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $879.25changed to$846.38

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 12.74 changed to 12.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.78 changed to 0.79

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $879.83changed to$879.25

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 12.29 changed to 12.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.78
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $867.51changed to$879.83

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 12.36 changed to 12.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.76
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $866.46changed to$867.51

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 12.41 changed to 12.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $870.91changed to$866.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 12.36 changed to 12.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.59
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$870.91

    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$755.77$487.82RVU26D
2026-07-01$755.77$487.82RVU26C
2026-04-01$755.77$487.82RVU26B
2026-01-01$755.77$487.82RVU26A
2025-10-01$750.65$523.93RVU25D
2025-07-01$750.65$523.93RVU25C
2025-04-01$750.65$523.93RVU25B
2025-01-01$750.65$523.93RVU25A
2024-10-01$783.57$539.55RVU24D
2024-07-01$783.57$539.55RVU24C
2024-04-01$783.57$539.55RVU24B
2024-03-09$783.57$539.55RVU24AR
2024-01-01$770.78$530.74RVU24A
2023-10-01$810.36$551.59RVU23D
2023-07-01$810.36$551.59RVU23C
2023-04-01$810.36$551.59RVU23B
2023-01-01$810.36$551.59RVU23A
2022-10-01$846.38$567.50RVU22D
2022-07-01$846.38$567.50RVU22C
2022-04-01$846.38$567.50RVU22B
2022-01-01$846.38$567.50RVU22A
2021-10-01$879.25$571.32RVU21D
2021-07-01$879.25$571.32RVU21C
2021-04-01$879.25$571.32RVU21B
2021-01-01$879.25$571.32RVU21A
2020-10-01$879.83$573.58RVU20D
2020-07-01$879.83$573.58RVU20C
2020-04-01$879.83$573.58RVU20B
2020-01-01$879.83$573.58RVU20A
2019-10-01$867.51$557.00RVU19D
2019-07-01$867.51$557.00RVU19C
2019-04-01$867.51$557.00RVU19B
2019-01-01$867.51$557.00RVU19A
2018-10-01$866.46$547.62RVU18D
2018-07-01$866.46$547.62RVU18C
2018-04-01$866.46$547.62RVU18B
2018-01-01$866.46$547.62RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$870.91$555.21RVU17D
2017-07-01$870.91$555.21RVU17C
2017-04-01$870.91$555.21RVU17B
2017-01-01$870.91$555.21RVU17A
2016-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16D
2016-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16C
2016-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16B
2016-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 28291 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

28291 billing questions

When should 28291 be chosen instead of 28289?

Use 28291 when the hallux rigidus correction includes implant placement. Code 28289 describes the corresponding correction without an implant.

Does the code include the joint debridement and capsular release?

Yes. These are part of the described hallux rigidus correction; do not separately report them as though they were unrelated procedures.

What operative documentation supports 28291?

Document the symptomatic first metatarsophalangeal joint condition, the correction performed, and placement of the implant. The operative note should make clear that the procedure was an implant correction rather than correction without an implant.

How is modifier 50 handled for bilateral surgery?

CMS pays bilateral reporting with modifier 50 at 150%. The record should support that the same procedure was performed on both sides.

How does CMS handle other procedures performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are paid at 50%. Related postoperative care is included in the 90-day global period.

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 28291PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,172 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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