CPT code 28291: Hallux rigidus surgery, with implant2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

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 Iowa, Medicare pays $623.09 for 28291 in the office and $414.97 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$623.09Office (non-facility)
$414.97Hospital or facility
−7.1%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 Iowa
  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 Iowa 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. Iowa pays $623.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28291 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$623.09
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$743.51+$120.42
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$755.77+$132.68
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$722.93+$99.84
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$705.25+$82.16
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$763.59+$140.50
  7. Alaska · Alaska$815.04+$191.95

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

Every other payment area

28291 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$611.74$412.71
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

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 Iowa 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

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 28291 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work7.81× 1.0007.8100
Practice expense11.54× 0.91510.5591
Malpractice0.72× 0.3970.2858
Total RVUs18.6549
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$623.09

Office: (7.81 × 1 + 11.54 × 0.915 + 0.72 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $623.09

Facility: (7.81 × 1 + 4.73 × 0.915 + 0.72 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $414.97

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 Iowa

28291 · Office / nonfacility

$623.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.86 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $614.23 to $623.09 (1.4%).

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

    $614.23changed to$623.09

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $640.16changed to$614.23

    • 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

    $629.71changed to$640.16

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $651.77changed to$629.71

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $669.55changed to$651.77

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $694.26changed to$669.55

    • 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

    $703.00changed to$694.26

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $702.45changed to$703.00

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $702.55changed to$702.45

    • 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

    $700.24changed to$702.55

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$700.24

    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$623.09$414.97RVU26D
2026-07-01$623.09$414.97RVU26C
2026-04-01$623.09$414.97RVU26B
2026-01-01$623.09$414.97RVU26A
2025-10-01$614.23$440.58RVU25D
2025-07-01$614.23$440.58RVU25C
2025-04-01$614.23$440.58RVU25B
2025-01-01$614.23$440.58RVU25A
2024-10-01$640.16$453.25RVU24D
2024-07-01$640.16$453.25RVU24C
2024-04-01$640.16$453.25RVU24B
2024-03-09$640.16$453.25RVU24AR
2024-01-01$629.71$445.85RVU24A
2023-10-01$651.77$457.80RVU23D
2023-07-01$651.77$457.80RVU23C
2023-04-01$651.77$457.80RVU23B
2023-01-01$651.77$457.80RVU23A
2022-10-01$669.55$464.90RVU22D
2022-07-01$669.55$464.90RVU22C
2022-04-01$669.55$464.90RVU22B
2022-01-01$669.55$464.90RVU22A
2021-10-01$694.26$468.29RVU21D
2021-07-01$694.26$468.29RVU21C
2021-04-01$694.26$468.29RVU21B
2021-01-01$694.26$468.29RVU21A
2020-10-01$703.00$475.50RVU20D
2020-07-01$703.00$475.50RVU20C
2020-04-01$703.00$475.50RVU20B
2020-01-01$703.00$475.50RVU20A
2019-10-01$702.45$468.73RVU19D
2019-07-01$702.45$468.73RVU19C
2019-04-01$702.45$468.73RVU19B
2019-01-01$702.45$468.73RVU19A
2018-10-01$702.55$462.56RVU18D
2018-07-01$702.55$462.56RVU18C
2018-04-01$702.55$462.56RVU18B
2018-01-01$702.55$462.56RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$700.24$463.93RVU17D
2017-07-01$700.24$463.93RVU17C
2017-04-01$700.24$463.93RVU17B
2017-01-01$700.24$463.93RVU17A
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 Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

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 IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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