CPT code 64721: Carpal tunnel release, median nerve at carpal tunnel2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Reports open surgical release of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel, typically by dividing the transverse carpal ligament to relieve compression.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $441.16 for 64721 in the office and $387.12 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 64721 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 64721 covers
A hand or orthopedic surgeon typically performs this open operation for median nerve compression at the wrist, often when carpal tunnel symptoms warrant surgical decompression. The surgeon opens the wrist or palm and releases the transverse carpal ligament to reduce pressure on the median nerve. The procedure is commonly performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery setting.
Report 64721 for the documented open median nerve release at the carpal tunnel; the operative note should identify the side and describe the release performed. The code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 identifies bilateral surgery, paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are 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 Tennessee compares for 64721
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 64721 runs from $426.06 in Arkansas to $612.23 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $441.16. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$441.16
- Los Angeles, CA · California$530.80+$89.64
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$546.32+$105.16
- Miami, FL · Florida$544.99+$103.83
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$528.04+$86.88
- Manhattan, NY · New York$558.98+$117.82
- Alaska · Alaska$567.49+$126.33
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $432.34 | $380.32 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $426.06 | $374.99 |
| ArizonaArizona | $468.97 | $411.36 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $500.40 | $435.24 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $497.83 | $432.67 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $568.03 | $489.67 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $527.05 | $456.78 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $508.31 | $443.14 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $520.01 | $450.86 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $518.05 | $449.14 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $528.72 | $457.62 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $598.05 | $514.22 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $596.93 | $513.10 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $612.23 | $526.50 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $607.63 | $521.90 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $510.03 | $442.31 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $532.53 | $460.30 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $519.57 | $450.25 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $537.73 | $464.72 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $566.41 | $488.05 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $497.66 | $432.50 |
| ColoradoColorado | $495.75 | $432.49 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $514.97 | $450.94 |
| DelawareDelaware | $476.66 | $417.92 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $513.10 | $452.87 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $486.62 | $429.78 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $494.38 | $433.97 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $457.93 | $404.90 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $508.12 | $440.52 |
| IowaIowa | $438.26 | $383.86 |
| IdahoIdaho | $442.21 | $387.51 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $493.17 | $438.47 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $476.24 | $421.96 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $517.07 | $456.01 |
| IndianaIndiana | $444.65 | $389.54 |
| KansasKansas | $438.63 | $384.89 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $447.91 | $395.06 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $470.17 | $414.23 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $448.18 | $395.57 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $541.44 | $470.45 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $493.76 | $431.16 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $514.07 | $450.27 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $485.00 | $424.84 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $447.14 | $392.44 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $467.85 | $408.93 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $495.26 | $437.89 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $461.89 | $407.61 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $467.70 | $406.53 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $464.34 | $408.51 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $468.91 | $412.31 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $442.10 | $390.85 |
| MississippiMississippi | $434.04 | $382.85 |
| MontanaMontana | $482.58 | $423.12 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $451.44 | $395.97 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $463.00 | $403.55 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $439.93 | $385.06 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $490.30 | $428.41 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $541.11 | $472.14 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $518.79 | $453.86 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $465.42 | $410.90 |
| NevadaNevada | $477.41 | $417.90 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $575.70 | $505.01 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $524.20 | $459.10 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $559.97 | $489.69 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $458.44 | $401.96 |
| OhioOhio | $457.89 | $403.61 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $444.50 | $391.41 |
| Portland, OROregon | $508.69 | $442.64 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $471.67 | $412.46 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $503.73 | $441.84 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $457.24 | $402.66 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $485.31 | $425.20 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $491.64 | $430.22 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $455.83 | $400.89 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $460.69 | $401.23 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $495.88 | $432.98 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $454.41 | $400.31 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $474.08 | $415.16 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $478.26 | $419.04 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $475.81 | $417.19 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $476.24 | $417.20 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $494.36 | $435.32 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $464.77 | $408.35 |
| UtahUtah | $462.02 | $406.13 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $468.03 | $409.59 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $485.31 | $425.20 |
| VermontVermont | $463.43 | $404.57 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $492.09 | $429.48 |
| King County, WAWashington | $549.97 | $477.02 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $447.68 | $390.73 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $459.22 | $407.56 |
| WyomingWyoming | $474.05 | $414.59 |
64721 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.
$426.06
$567.49
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $567.49 | 1 |
| AL | $432.34 | 1 |
| AR | $426.06 | 1 |
| AZ | $468.97 | 1 |
| CA | $497.66–$612.23 | 29 |
| CO | $495.75 | 1 |
| CT | $514.97 | 1 |
| DC | $546.32 | 1 |
| DE | $476.66 | 1 |
| FL | $486.62–$544.99 | 3 |
| GA | $457.93–$494.38 | 2 |
| GU | $508.12 | 1 |
| HI | $508.12 | 1 |
| IA | $438.26 | 1 |
| ID | $442.21 | 1 |
| IL | $476.24–$528.04 | 4 |
| IN | $444.65 | 1 |
| KS | $438.63 | 1 |
| KY | $447.91 | 1 |
| LA | $448.18–$470.17 | 2 |
| MA | $493.76–$541.44 | 2 |
| MD | $485.00–$546.32 | 3 |
| ME | $447.14–$467.85 | 2 |
| MI | $461.89–$495.26 | 2 |
| MN | $467.70 | 1 |
| MO | $442.10–$468.91 | 3 |
| MS | $434.04 | 1 |
| MT | $482.58 | 1 |
| NC | $451.44 | 1 |
| ND | $463.00 | 1 |
| NE | $439.93 | 1 |
| NH | $490.30 | 1 |
| NJ | $518.79–$541.11 | 2 |
| NM | $465.42 | 1 |
| NV | $477.41 | 1 |
| NY | $458.44–$575.70 | 5 |
| OH | $457.89 | 1 |
| OK | $444.50 | 1 |
| OR | $471.67–$508.69 | 2 |
| PA | $457.24–$503.73 | 2 |
| PR | $485.31 | 1 |
| RI | $491.64 | 1 |
| SC | $455.83 | 1 |
| SD | $460.69 | 1 |
| TN | $441.16 | 1 |
| TX | $454.41–$495.88 | 8 |
| UT | $462.02 | 1 |
| VA | $468.03–$546.32 | 2 |
| VI | $485.31 | 1 |
| VT | $463.43 | 1 |
| WA | $492.09–$549.97 | 2 |
| WI | $447.68 | 1 |
| WV | $459.22 | 1 |
| WY | $474.05 | 1 |
How the 64721 rate is calculated
Each of 64721’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 · 64721
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work4.85
4.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense8.61
8.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.99
0.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
14.4500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$482.64
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,210
- Code
- 64721
- Physician work
- 4.85
- Practice expense
- 8.61
- Malpractice
- 0.99
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 4.85 | × 1.000 | 4.8500 |
| Practice expense | 8.61 | × 0.909 | 7.8265 |
| Malpractice | 0.99 | × 0.537 | 0.5316 |
| Total RVUs | 13.2081 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$441.16
Office: (4.85 × 1 + 8.61 × 0.909 + 0.99 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $441.16
Facility: (4.85 × 1 + 6.83 × 0.909 + 0.99 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $387.12
Payment rules and modifiers for 64721
64721 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 64721
Carpal tunnel release, median nerve at carpal tunnel
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.11/0.76/0.13 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 64721
Carpal tunnel release, median nerve at carpal tunnel
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.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
64721 without 50 · national office
$482.64
Carpal tunnel release, median nerve at carpal tunnel
64721-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$723.96
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).
How 64721 has changed in Tennessee
64721 · Office / nonfacility
$441.16
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $38.07 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $403.09 to $441.16 (9.4%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$403.09changed to$441.16
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 4.97 changed to 4.85
- Practice expense RVU 7.76 changed to 8.61
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
- Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$411.00changed to$403.09
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 7.62 changed to 7.76
- Malpractice RVU 1.01 changed to 0.99
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$404.29changed to$411.00
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$412.66changed to$404.29
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 7.50 changed to 7.62
- Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 1.01
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$412.96changed to$412.66
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 7.26 changed to 7.50
- Malpractice RVU 0.99 changed to 0.97
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$411.51changed to$412.96
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 7.12 changed to 7.26
- Malpractice RVU 0.96 changed to 0.99
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$410.98changed to$411.51
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 6.61 changed to 7.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$408.48changed to$410.98
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 6.48 changed to 6.61
- Malpractice RVU 1.00 changed to 0.96
- Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
- Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$404.60changed to$408.48
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 6.38 changed to 6.48
- Malpractice RVU 0.99 changed to 1.00
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$404.60
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
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, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $441.16 | $387.12 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $441.16 | $387.12 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $441.16 | $387.12 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $441.16 | $387.12 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $403.09 | $396.42 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $403.09 | $396.42 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $403.09 | $396.42 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $403.09 | $396.42 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $411.00 | $404.14 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $411.00 | $404.14 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $411.00 | $404.14 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $411.00 | $404.14 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $404.29 | $397.54 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $412.66 | $405.39 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $412.66 | $405.39 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $412.66 | $405.39 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $412.66 | $405.39 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $412.96 | $405.24 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $412.96 | $405.24 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $412.96 | $405.24 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $412.96 | $405.24 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $411.51 | $404.66 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $411.51 | $404.66 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $411.51 | $404.66 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $411.51 | $404.66 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $410.98 | $405.48 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $410.98 | $405.48 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $410.98 | $405.48 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $410.98 | $405.48 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $408.48 | $404.26 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $408.48 | $404.26 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $408.48 | $404.26 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $408.48 | $404.26 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $404.60 | $402.33 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $404.60 | $402.33 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $404.60 | $402.33 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Tennessee rate applies
Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adams
- Adamsville
- Alamo
- Alcoa
- Alexandria
- Algood
- Allardt
- Altamont
64721 billing questions
How does 64721 differ from endoscopic carpal tunnel release?
Use 64721 for the open median nerve release at the carpal tunnel. The endoscopic approach is reported with 29848.
Can internal neurolysis be reported with 64721?
CPT 64727 is an add-on for qualifying internal neurolysis requiring an operating microscope. The operative documentation should support that additional work.
How is bilateral carpal tunnel release reported?
Report modifier 50 for bilateral surgery; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
Are routine postoperative visits separately payable?
Related postoperative care during the 90-day global period is included, along with the day-before preoperative visit.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed for 64721?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What happens when 64721 is performed with another procedure?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures in the same session are paid at 50%.
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
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