HCPCS code G0281: Wound stimulation, specified chronic ulcers2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Reports unattended electrical stimulation in a therapy plan for specified chronic ulcers that have not shown healing after conventional care.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $11.05 for G0281 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · G0281 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 G0281 covers
G0281 describes unattended electrical stimulation to one or more areas for chronic stage III or stage IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, or venous stasis ulcers that have not demonstrated healing after 30 days of conventional care. A physical or occupational therapist typically incorporates the treatment into a therapy plan of care in an outpatient rehabilitation or other therapy setting. The electrodes deliver stimulation without continuous hands-on attendance during the treatment.
Report G0281 when the ulcer type and clinical course meet this specific wound-care description, rather than using it for other wound indications or non-wound stimulation. Documentation should identify the ulcer location and type, pressure-ulcer stage when applicable, lack of healing with conventional care, stimulation provided, and the therapy plan. The professional component modifier is not used for this therapy service. Under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction, practice expense is reduced for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day.
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 G0281
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for G0281 runs from $10.77 in Arkansas to $14.89 in Alaska. Tennessee pays $11.05. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$11.05
- Los Angeles, CA · California$12.80+$1.75
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$13.00+$1.95
- Miami, FL · Florida$12.42+$1.37
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$12.19+$1.14
- Manhattan, NY · New York$13.14+$2.09
- Alaska · Alaska$14.89+$3.84
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $10.88 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $10.77 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $11.48 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $12.19 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $13.60 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $12.71 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $12.26 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $12.62 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $12.57 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $12.77 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $14.27 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $14.26 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $14.56 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $14.51 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $12.38 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $12.81 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $12.59 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $12.93 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $13.59 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $12.15 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $12.03 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $12.29 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $11.62 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $12.03 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $11.62 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $11.86 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $11.18 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $12.28 | — |
| IowaIowa | $11.03 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $11.09 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $11.60 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $11.41 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $12.13 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $11.13 | — |
| KansasKansas | $11.01 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $11.07 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $11.42 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $11.06 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $12.94 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $12.00 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $12.26 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $11.79 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $11.14 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $11.52 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $11.73 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $11.27 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $11.61 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $11.36 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $11.43 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $10.94 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $10.86 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $11.69 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $11.21 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $11.49 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $11.07 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $11.87 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $12.95 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $12.45 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $11.31 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $11.64 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $13.37 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $12.54 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $13.20 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $11.32 | — |
| OhioOhio | $11.23 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $11.04 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $12.29 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $11.57 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $12.08 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $11.23 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $11.74 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $11.94 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $11.23 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $11.47 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $11.97 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $11.19 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $11.62 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $11.68 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $11.63 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $11.64 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $11.83 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $11.39 | — |
| UtahUtah | $11.34 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $11.50 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $11.74 | — |
| VermontVermont | $11.47 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $11.97 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $13.14 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $11.23 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $11.13 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $11.60 | — |
G0281 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.
$10.77
$14.89
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 | $14.89 | 1 |
| AL | $10.88 | 1 |
| AR | $10.77 | 1 |
| AZ | $11.48 | 1 |
| CA | $12.15–$14.56 | 29 |
| CO | $12.03 | 1 |
| CT | $12.29 | 1 |
| DC | $13.00 | 1 |
| DE | $11.62 | 1 |
| FL | $11.62–$12.42 | 3 |
| GA | $11.18–$11.86 | 2 |
| GU | $12.28 | 1 |
| HI | $12.28 | 1 |
| IA | $11.03 | 1 |
| ID | $11.09 | 1 |
| IL | $11.41–$12.19 | 4 |
| IN | $11.13 | 1 |
| KS | $11.01 | 1 |
| KY | $11.07 | 1 |
| LA | $11.06–$11.42 | 2 |
| MA | $12.00–$12.94 | 2 |
| MD | $11.79–$13.00 | 3 |
| ME | $11.14–$11.52 | 2 |
| MI | $11.27–$11.73 | 2 |
| MN | $11.61 | 1 |
| MO | $10.94–$11.43 | 3 |
| MS | $10.86 | 1 |
| MT | $11.69 | 1 |
| NC | $11.21 | 1 |
| ND | $11.49 | 1 |
| NE | $11.07 | 1 |
| NH | $11.87 | 1 |
| NJ | $12.45–$12.95 | 2 |
| NM | $11.31 | 1 |
| NV | $11.64 | 1 |
| NY | $11.32–$13.37 | 5 |
| OH | $11.23 | 1 |
| OK | $11.04 | 1 |
| OR | $11.57–$12.29 | 2 |
| PA | $11.23–$12.08 | 2 |
| PR | $11.74 | 1 |
| RI | $11.94 | 1 |
| SC | $11.23 | 1 |
| SD | $11.47 | 1 |
| TN | $11.05 | 1 |
| TX | $11.19–$11.97 | 8 |
| UT | $11.34 | 1 |
| VA | $11.50–$13.00 | 2 |
| VI | $11.74 | 1 |
| VT | $11.47 | 1 |
| WA | $11.97–$13.14 | 2 |
| WI | $11.23 | 1 |
| WV | $11.13 | 1 |
| WY | $11.60 | 1 |
How the G0281 rate is calculated
Each of G0281’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 · G0281
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.18
0.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.3500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$11.69
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
15,170
- Code
- G0281
- Physician work
- 0.18
- Practice expense
- 0.16
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.18 | × 1.000 | 0.1800 |
| Practice expense | 0.16 | × 0.909 | 0.1454 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.537 | 0.0054 |
| Total RVUs | 0.3308 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$11.05
Office: (0.18 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.909 + 0.01 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $11.05
Payment rules and modifiers for G0281
The CMS indicators that decide how G0281 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · G0281
Wound stimulation, specified chronic ulcers
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 5 | Therapy reduction: practice expense of the second and later units is reduced. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 7 | Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier CQ · payment effect
With and without the modifier
G0281 without CQ · national office
$11.69
Wound stimulation, specified chronic ulcers
G0281-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$11.69
Medicare cuts its own payment by 15% after the patient’s 20% coinsurance; the allowed amount stays the same. On $100 allowed: $20 coinsurance, then Medicare pays $68 instead of $80.
How G0281 has changed in Tennessee
G0281 · Office / nonfacility
$11.05
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $10.64 to $11.05 (3.9%).
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
$10.64changed to$11.05
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- 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
$10.94changed to$10.64
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$10.77changed to$10.94
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$11.43changed to$10.77
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$11.65changed to$11.43
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- 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
$12.37changed to$11.65
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.19 changed to 0.17
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$13.15changed to$12.37
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.20 changed to 0.19
- 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
$13.50changed to$13.15
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20
- 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
$14.13changed to$13.50
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.23 changed to 0.21
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$14.13
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 | $11.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $11.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $11.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $11.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $10.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $10.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $10.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $10.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $10.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $10.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $10.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $10.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $10.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $11.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $11.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $11.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $11.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $11.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $11.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $11.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $11.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $12.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $12.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $12.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $12.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $13.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $13.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $13.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $13.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $13.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $13.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $13.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $13.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $14.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $14.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $14.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | 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
G0281 billing questions
How does G0281 differ from G0282?
G0281 is for the specified chronic pressure, arterial, diabetic, and venous stasis ulcers that have not demonstrated healing after 30 days of conventional care. G0282 describes unattended electrical stimulation for wound care outside that group.
When should G0283 be considered instead?
G0283 describes unattended electrical stimulation for indications other than wound care. G0281 is the wound-care code for the specified chronic ulcer conditions.
Should a professional component modifier be appended?
No. CMS identifies G0281 as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply.
What documentation supports reporting G0281?
Document the ulcer type and site, its stage when applicable, the lack of healing after conventional care, the stimulation treatment, and its place in the therapy plan of care.
Is G0281 reported by treatment minutes?
The descriptor does not specify a time increment. Document the treatment delivered and the therapy units reported rather than deriving units from minutes alone.
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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