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

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 Austin, TX, Medicare pays $914.94 for 28296 in the office and $492.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$914.94Office (non-facility)
$492.65Hospital or facility
+3.6%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 Austin, TX
  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 Austin, TX 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. Austin, TX pays $914.94. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

28296 in Austin, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Austin, TX · this page$914.94
  2. Beaumont, TX · Texas$828.63−$86.31
  3. Brazoria, TX · Texas$874.29−$40.65
  4. Dallas, TX · Texas$879.63−$35.31
  5. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$874.11−$40.83
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$876.78−$38.16
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$891.79−$23.15

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

Every other payment area

28296 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$850.83$472.05
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$992.78$520.59
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$1,005.63$535.44
Miami, FLFlorida$949.42$533.91
Chicago, ILIllinois$923.74$522.60
Manhattan, NYNew York$1,011.87$548.07
AlaskaAlaska$1,043.62$618.53
AlabamaAlabama$798.13$448.88

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 Austin, TX 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

96

Locality
Austin, TX
Physician work
1.002
Practice expense
1.058
Malpractice
0.886
Office calculation for 28296 in Austin, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work8.04× 1.0028.0561
Practice expense17.59× 1.05818.6102
Malpractice0.82× 0.8860.7265
Total RVUs27.3928
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Austin, TX$914.94

Office: (8.04 × 1.002 + 17.59 × 1.058 + 0.82 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $914.94

Facility: (8.04 × 1.002 + 5.64 × 1.058 + 0.82 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $492.65

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, Austin, TX
Same family
28295Bunion correction, proximal metatarsal osteotomyHallux valgus correction with a proximal, rather than distal, first metatarsal osteotomy.$1,104.29
28298Bunion correction, proximal phalanx osteotomyHallux valgus correction with a proximal phalanx osteotomy rather than a distal metatarsal osteotomy.$890.48
28299Bunion correction, double osteotomyHallux valgus correction involving two osteotomies rather than one distal metatarsal osteotomy.$1,073.10
Used instead
28297Bunion correction, first tarsometatarsal fusionHallux valgus correction using joint fusion instead of a distal metatarsal osteotomy.$1,067.15
28292Bunion correction, proximal phalanx base resectionHallux valgus correction based on resection at the proximal phalanx base.$725.83

How 28296 has changed in Austin, TX

28296 · Office / nonfacility

$914.94

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $40.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $874.54 to $914.94 (4.6%).

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

    $874.54changed to$914.94

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.058
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.914 changed to 0.886

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $907.38changed to$874.54

    • 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

    $892.57changed to$907.38

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $917.51changed to$892.57

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.046
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.727 changed to 0.914

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $936.07changed to$917.51

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.75
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.059 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.727

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $961.74changed to$936.07

    • 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

    $959.82changed to$961.74

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.040 changed to 1.059
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $955.31changed to$959.82

    • 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 1.021 changed to 1.040
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $955.37changed to$955.31

    • 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

    $951.32changed to$955.37

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 17.38 changed to 17.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $737.92changed to$951.32

    • 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 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.766 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $741.59changed to$737.92

    • 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

    $737.90changed to$741.59

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $731.25changed to$737.90

    • 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 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.759 changed to 0.766

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $729.54changed to$731.25

    • 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 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.751 changed to 0.759

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $729.54

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$914.94$492.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$914.94$492.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$914.94$492.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$914.94$492.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$874.54$515.89RVU25D
2025-07-01$874.54$515.89RVU25C
2025-04-01$874.54$515.89RVU25B
2025-01-01$874.54$515.89RVU25A
2024-10-01$907.38$524.72RVU24D
2024-07-01$907.38$524.72RVU24C
2024-04-01$907.38$524.72RVU24B
2024-03-09$907.38$524.72RVU24AR
2024-01-01$892.57$516.15RVU24A
2023-10-01$917.51$521.07RVU23D
2023-07-01$917.51$521.07RVU23C
2023-04-01$917.51$521.07RVU23B
2023-01-01$917.51$521.07RVU23A
2022-10-01$936.07$520.48RVU22D
2022-07-01$936.07$520.48RVU22C
2022-04-01$936.07$520.48RVU22B
2022-01-01$936.07$520.48RVU22A
2021-10-01$961.74$521.28RVU21D
2021-07-01$961.74$521.28RVU21C
2021-04-01$961.74$521.28RVU21B
2021-01-01$961.74$521.28RVU21A
2020-10-01$959.82$533.07RVU20D
2020-07-01$959.82$533.07RVU20C
2020-04-01$959.82$533.07RVU20B
2020-01-01$959.82$533.07RVU20A
2019-10-01$955.31$532.16RVU19D
2019-07-01$955.31$532.16RVU19C
2019-04-01$955.31$532.16RVU19B
2019-01-01$955.31$532.16RVU19A
2018-10-01$955.37$531.58RVU18D
2018-07-01$955.37$531.58RVU18C
2018-04-01$955.37$531.58RVU18B
2018-01-01$955.37$531.58RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$951.32$530.35RVU17D
2017-07-01$951.32$530.35RVU17C
2017-04-01$951.32$530.35RVU17B
2017-01-01$951.32$530.35RVU17A
2016-10-01$737.92$534.34RVU16D
2016-07-01$737.92$534.34RVU16C
2016-04-01$737.92$534.34RVU16B
2016-01-01$737.92$534.34RVU16A
2015-10-01$741.59$536.91RVU15D
2015-07-01$741.59$536.91RVU15C
2015-04-01$737.90$534.24RVU15B
2015-01-01$737.90$534.24RVU15A
2014-10-01$731.25$531.47RVU14D
2014-07-01$731.25$531.47RVU14C
2014-04-01$731.25$531.47RVU14B
2014-01-01$731.25$531.47RVU14A
2013-10-01$729.54$521.16RVU13D
2013-07-01$729.54$521.16RVU13C
2013-04-01$729.54$521.16RVU13B
2013-01-01$729.54$521.16RVU13AR

Price 28296 for an earlier date of service

Where the Austin, TX rate applies

Austin, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Austin, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 96 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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