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CPT code 28296: Bunion correction, distal first metatarsal osteotomy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports surgical correction of a bunion when the surgeon cuts and repositions the distal first metatarsal to realign the great toe.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality7.6K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $918.28 for 28296 in the office and $493.59 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$918.28Office (non-facility)
$493.59Hospital or facility
+3.9%vs the national office rate ($883.45)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 28296 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 28296 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 28296 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 28296 covers

Code 28296 covers hallux valgus correction centered on an osteotomy near the head of the first metatarsal. An Austin or chevron bunionectomy is a familiar example. An orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon typically performs the operation in a hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center. The surgeon repositions the bone to improve great-toe alignment and may perform associated soft-tissue work as part of the correction.

Select 28296 when the operative report documents a distal first metatarsal osteotomy for the bunion correction. The report should identify the side, osteotomy location, bone repositioning, and any additional osteotomy. A proximal metatarsal osteotomy, joint fusion, or double osteotomy points to another code. CMS assigns a 90-day global period that includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons require supporting documentation. 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 28296

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 28296 runs from $787.33 in Arkansas to $1,159.97 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $918.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28296 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$918.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$992.78+$74.50
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,005.63+$87.35
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$949.42+$31.14
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$923.74+$5.46
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,011.87+$93.59
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,043.62+$125.34

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

Every other payment area

28296 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$798.13$448.88
ArkansasArkansas$787.33$444.47
ArizonaArizona$861.30$474.53
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$934.25$496.79
Chico, CACalifornia$931.71$494.25
El Centro, CACalifornia$931.85$494.39
Fresno, CACalifornia$931.71$494.25
Hanford, CACalifornia$931.71$494.25

28296 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.

$787.33

$1,045.84

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

View every state and territory as a table
28296 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,043.621
AL$798.131
AR$787.331
AZ$861.301
CA$931.71–$1,159.9729
CO$918.281
CT$939.821
DC$1,005.631
DE$874.981
FL$871.38–$949.423
GA$825.26–$899.162
GU$952.411
HI$952.411
IA$817.001
ID$822.021
IL$847.76–$923.744
IN$826.491
KS$813.471
KY$815.911
LA$814.74–$852.512
MA$913.33–$1,005.432
MD$890.94–$1,005.633
ME$826.10–$868.062
MI$835.87–$881.682
MN$881.211
MO$801.66–$855.313
MS$794.641
MT$883.401
NC$834.201
ND$867.181
NE$821.181
NH$904.121
NJ$950.90–$996.242
NM$840.191
NV$879.471
NY$845.94–$1,035.155
OH$832.561
OK$814.481
OR$872.97–$945.952
PA$833.77–$917.662
PR$889.511
RI$904.991
SC$834.691
SD$865.271
TN$817.311
TX$828.63–$914.948
UT$845.411
VA$865.41–$1,005.632
VI$889.511
VT$864.051
WA$911.54–$1,025.242
WI$839.821
WV$818.291
WY$876.331

See 28296 in every payment locality

How the 28296 rate is calculated

Each of 28296’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 · 28296

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work8.04

8.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense17.59

17.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.82

0.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

26.4500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$883.45

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

3,175

Code
28296
Physician work
8.04
Practice expense
17.59
Malpractice
0.82

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 28296 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work8.04× 1.0128.1365
Practice expense17.59× 1.06418.7158
Malpractice0.82× 0.7810.6404
Total RVUs27.4927
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$918.28

Office: (8.04 × 1.012 + 17.59 × 1.064 + 0.82 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $918.28

Facility: (8.04 × 1.012 + 5.64 × 1.064 + 0.82 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $493.59

Open 28296 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 28296

28296 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 28296

Bunion correction, distal first metatarsal osteotomy

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 · 28296

Bunion correction, distal first metatarsal osteotomy

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

28296 without 50 · national office

$883.45

Bunion correction, distal first metatarsal osteotomy

28296-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,325.18

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 28296

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

Codes related to 28296
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Same family
28295Bunion correction, proximal metatarsal osteotomyHallux valgus correction with a proximal, rather than distal, first metatarsal osteotomy.$1,107.27
28298Bunion correction, proximal phalanx osteotomyHallux valgus correction with a proximal phalanx osteotomy rather than a distal metatarsal osteotomy.$892.98
28299Bunion correction, double osteotomyHallux valgus correction involving two osteotomies rather than one distal metatarsal osteotomy.$1,076.34
Used instead
28297Bunion correction, first tarsometatarsal fusionHallux valgus correction using joint fusion instead of a distal metatarsal osteotomy.$1,070.40
28292Bunion correction, proximal phalanx base resectionHallux valgus correction based on resection at the proximal phalanx base.$728.12

How 28296 has changed in Colorado

28296 · Office / nonfacility

$918.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $39.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $878.36 to $918.28 (4.5%).

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

    $878.36changed to$918.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 8.25 changed to 8.04
    • Practice expense RVU 17.27 changed to 17.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.82
    • 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

    $911.42changed to$878.36

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 17.50 changed to 17.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.79

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $896.55changed to$911.42

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $918.92changed to$896.55

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 17.36 changed to 17.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.75 changed to 0.77
    • 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

    $935.22changed to$918.92

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.75
    • 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

    $960.44changed to$935.22

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 17.86 changed to 17.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.77

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $962.67changed to$960.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 17.17 changed to 17.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.74
    • 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

    $960.88changed to$962.67

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 17.37 changed to 17.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.76
    • 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

    $960.92changed to$960.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 17.40 changed to 17.37

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $955.96changed to$960.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 17.38 changed to 17.40
    • 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

    $742.98changed to$955.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 8.35 changed to 8.25
    • Practice expense RVU 11.49 changed to 17.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.72 changed to 0.70
    • 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

    $747.26changed to$742.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 11.48 changed to 11.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.72

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $743.54changed to$747.26

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $734.62changed to$743.54

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 11.35 changed to 11.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.77
    • 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

    $730.55changed to$734.62

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 12.41 changed to 11.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.73
    • 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: $730.55

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$918.28$493.59RVU26D
2026-07-01$918.28$493.59RVU26C
2026-04-01$918.28$493.59RVU26B
2026-01-01$918.28$493.59RVU26A
2025-10-01$878.36$517.31RVU25D
2025-07-01$878.36$517.31RVU25C
2025-04-01$878.36$517.31RVU25B
2025-01-01$878.36$517.31RVU25A
2024-10-01$911.42$526.20RVU24D
2024-07-01$911.42$526.20RVU24C
2024-04-01$911.42$526.20RVU24B
2024-03-09$911.42$526.20RVU24AR
2024-01-01$896.55$517.61RVU24A
2023-10-01$918.92$523.61RVU23D
2023-07-01$918.92$523.61RVU23C
2023-04-01$918.92$523.61RVU23B
2023-01-01$918.92$523.61RVU23A
2022-10-01$935.22$524.35RVU22D
2022-07-01$935.22$524.35RVU22C
2022-04-01$935.22$524.35RVU22B
2022-01-01$935.22$524.35RVU22A
2021-10-01$960.44$524.97RVU21D
2021-07-01$960.44$524.97RVU21C
2021-04-01$960.44$524.97RVU21B
2021-01-01$960.44$524.97RVU21A
2020-10-01$962.67$538.79RVU20D
2020-07-01$962.67$538.79RVU20C
2020-04-01$962.67$538.79RVU20B
2020-01-01$962.67$538.79RVU20A
2019-10-01$960.88$538.97RVU19D
2019-07-01$960.88$538.97RVU19C
2019-04-01$960.88$538.97RVU19B
2019-01-01$960.88$538.97RVU19A
2018-10-01$960.92$538.38RVU18D
2018-07-01$960.92$538.38RVU18C
2018-04-01$960.92$538.38RVU18B
2018-01-01$960.92$538.38RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$955.96$537.05RVU17D
2017-07-01$955.96$537.05RVU17C
2017-04-01$955.96$537.05RVU17B
2017-01-01$955.96$537.05RVU17A
2016-10-01$742.98$541.00RVU16D
2016-07-01$742.98$541.00RVU16C
2016-04-01$742.98$541.00RVU16B
2016-01-01$742.98$541.00RVU16A
2015-10-01$747.26$544.18RVU15D
2015-07-01$747.26$544.18RVU15C
2015-04-01$743.54$541.47RVU15B
2015-01-01$743.54$541.47RVU15A
2014-10-01$734.62$536.01RVU14D
2014-07-01$734.62$536.01RVU14C
2014-04-01$734.62$536.01RVU14B
2014-01-01$734.62$536.01RVU14A
2013-10-01$730.55$523.21RVU13D
2013-07-01$730.55$523.21RVU13C
2013-04-01$730.55$523.21RVU13B
2013-01-01$730.55$523.21RVU13AR

Price 28296 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

28296 billing questions

How is 28296 distinguished from 28295?

Both involve first metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus, but 28296 identifies an osteotomy at the distal metatarsal; 28295 identifies one at the proximal metatarsal.

What if the surgeon also performs a proximal phalanx osteotomy?

Review the operative report for a double osteotomy. Code 28299 describes hallux valgus correction using two osteotomies, rather than the single distal metatarsal osteotomy represented by 28296.

Is removal of the bunion prominence separately reported?

When removal of the medial prominence is part of the distal metatarsal osteotomy correction, it is included in 28296 rather than reported as a separate bunion procedure.

How is surgery on both feet reported?

CMS recognizes bilateral reporting of 28296 with modifier 50 and pays it at 150%. The operative report should document the distal metatarsal correction on each foot.

What postoperative visits are included?

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

Can another surgeon participate in the operation?

An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; CMS does not permit team surgery for 28296.

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 28296PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,175 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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