Billing code 20670: Implant removalMedicare rate & RVUs
Reports removal of accessible superficial orthopedic hardware, such as a buried wire or pin, when a clinician removes the implant from its site.
Medicare pays $370.42 for 20670 nationally in the office and $139.95 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $323.33–$506.56.
Medicare rate · 20670
Implant removal
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 1.75
- Total RVUs
- 11.09
- Global days
- 010
National rate · 2026
$370.42
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 20670 → · Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →
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 10 sections
What 20670 covers
This service covers removal of orthopedic hardware located superficially, such as a buried wire, pin, or screw that can be reached without the deeper dissection required for deep implants. An orthopedist or another clinician performing musculoskeletal procedures may remove it in an office procedure room, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital operating room, depending on the implant’s location and the work needed. The key distinction from deep-implant removal is the documented depth and surgical exposure, not simply the type of hardware.
Report the service for the superficial implant removal itself, and document the implant, anatomic site, and depth supporting the superficial classification. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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.
Where 20670 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$323.33 to $506.56
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $328.63 | $126.98 |
| Alaska* | $415.28 | $169.84 |
| Arizona | $359.73 | $136.40 |
| Arkansas | $323.33 | $125.36 |
| Atlanta | $377.25 | $143.10 |
| Austin | $387.08 | $143.24 |
| Bakersfield | $397.08 | $144.49 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $395.60 | $148.31 |
| Beaumont | $342.51 | $132.79 |
| Brazoria | $366.17 | $137.78 |
| Chicago | $384.02 | $152.40 |
| Chico | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Colorado | $388.53 | $143.31 |
| Connecticut | $396.81 | $148.59 |
| Dallas | $368.45 | $138.91 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $428.52 | $157.03 |
| Delaware | $366.16 | $138.46 |
| Detroit | $366.00 | $143.60 |
| East St. Louis | $355.32 | $143.30 |
| El Centro | $396.35 | $143.76 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $381.64 | $148.18 |
| Fort Worth | $365.54 | $138.30 |
| Fresno | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Galveston | $367.21 | $138.36 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $408.12 | $146.08 |
| Houston | $372.15 | $143.30 |
| Idaho | $341.43 | $129.40 |
| Indiana | $343.67 | $130.02 |
| Iowa | $339.23 | $128.35 |
| Kansas | $336.86 | $128.52 |
| Kentucky | $336.02 | $131.14 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $425.22 | $152.58 |
| Madera | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Manhattan | $428.52 | $160.72 |
| Merced | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $430.59 | $155.42 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $351.73 | $135.32 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $385.63 | $145.71 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $355.89 | $136.49 |
| Miami | $396.63 | $156.71 |
| Minnesota | $372.85 | $135.70 |
| Mississippi | $325.95 | $127.52 |
| Modesto | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Montana** | $370.40 | $139.93 |
| Napa | $466.00 | $162.24 |
| Nebraska | $341.48 | $128.76 |
| Nevada** | $369.21 | $138.52 |
| New Hampshire | $381.71 | $141.79 |
| New Mexico | $347.08 | $135.75 |
| New Orleans | $353.77 | $136.90 |
| North Carolina | $346.86 | $131.84 |
| North Dakota** | $365.06 | $134.59 |
| Northern Nj | $423.18 | $155.84 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $439.14 | $165.12 |
| Ohio | $344.13 | $133.72 |
| Oklahoma | $335.99 | $130.18 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $423.79 | $151.38 |
| Portland | $402.67 | $146.62 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $403.72 | $151.36 |
| Puerto Rico | $373.61 | $140.61 |
| Queens | $433.28 | $160.87 |
| Redding | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Rest Of California | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Rest Of Florida | $361.62 | $141.30 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $339.43 | $133.85 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $349.14 | $138.72 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $335.20 | $131.24 |
| Rest Of Maine | $342.77 | $130.74 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $373.90 | $140.66 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $385.58 | $142.90 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $345.22 | $134.81 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $328.37 | $129.71 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $401.50 | $149.83 |
| Rest Of New York | $352.59 | $133.65 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $366.53 | $136.98 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $345.08 | $133.51 |
| Rest Of Texas | $354.09 | $135.38 |
| Rest Of Washington | $385.08 | $142.40 |
| Rhode Island | $380.55 | $142.48 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $399.23 | $146.63 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $417.72 | $149.68 |
| Salinas | $416.21 | $149.10 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $427.42 | $151.78 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $495.30 | $170.34 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $494.99 | $170.03 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $506.56 | $174.23 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $505.31 | $172.98 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $409.33 | $146.83 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $432.59 | $152.58 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $418.16 | $149.43 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $437.06 | $154.04 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $440.46 | $157.67 |
| South Carolina | $346.04 | $133.09 |
| South Dakota** | $364.43 | $133.96 |
| Southern Maine | $364.36 | $135.97 |
| Stockton | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| Suburban Chicago | $385.97 | $149.28 |
| Tennessee | $338.67 | $129.18 |
| Utah | $351.32 | $134.68 |
| Vallejo | $465.56 | $161.80 |
| Vermont | $362.93 | $134.77 |
| Virgin Islands | $373.61 | $140.61 |
| Virginia | $362.61 | $136.07 |
| Visalia | $396.31 | $143.72 |
| West Virginia | $334.62 | $134.34 |
| Wisconsin | $351.45 | $130.66 |
| Wyoming** | $368.07 | $137.61 |
| Yuba City | $396.31 | $143.72 |
20670 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.
$323.33
$451.44
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 | $415.28 | 1 |
| AL | $328.63 | 1 |
| AR | $323.33 | 1 |
| AZ | $359.73 | 1 |
| CA | $396.31–$506.56 | 29 |
| CO | $388.53 | 1 |
| CT | $396.81 | 1 |
| DC | $428.52 | 1 |
| DE | $366.16 | 1 |
| FL | $361.62–$396.63 | 3 |
| GA | $339.43–$377.25 | 2 |
| GU | $408.12 | 1 |
| HI | $408.12 | 1 |
| IA | $339.23 | 1 |
| ID | $341.43 | 1 |
| IL | $349.14–$385.97 | 4 |
| IN | $343.67 | 1 |
| KS | $336.86 | 1 |
| KY | $336.02 | 1 |
| LA | $335.20–$353.77 | 2 |
| MA | $385.58–$430.59 | 2 |
| MD | $373.90–$428.52 | 3 |
| ME | $342.77–$364.36 | 2 |
| MI | $345.22–$366.00 | 2 |
| MN | $372.85 | 1 |
| MO | $328.37–$355.89 | 3 |
| MS | $325.95 | 1 |
| MT | $370.40 | 1 |
| NC | $346.86 | 1 |
| ND | $365.06 | 1 |
| NE | $341.48 | 1 |
| NH | $381.71 | 1 |
| NJ | $401.50–$423.18 | 2 |
| NM | $347.08 | 1 |
| NV | $369.21 | 1 |
| NY | $352.59–$439.14 | 5 |
| OH | $344.13 | 1 |
| OK | $335.99 | 1 |
| OR | $366.53–$402.67 | 2 |
| PA | $345.08–$385.63 | 2 |
| PR | $373.61 | 1 |
| RI | $380.55 | 1 |
| SC | $346.04 | 1 |
| SD | $364.43 | 1 |
| TN | $338.67 | 1 |
| TX | $342.51–$387.08 | 8 |
| UT | $351.32 | 1 |
| VA | $362.61–$428.52 | 2 |
| VI | $373.61 | 1 |
| VT | $362.93 | 1 |
| WA | $385.08–$440.46 | 2 |
| WI | $351.45 | 1 |
| WV | $334.62 | 1 |
| WY | $368.07 | 1 |
How the 20670 rate is calculated
Each of 20670’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 · 20670
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.75Practice expense 9.07Malpractice 0.27
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 20670
20670 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 20670
Implant removal
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 20670
Implant removal
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
20670 without 51 · national office
$370.42
Implant removal
20670-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$185.21
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
20670 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
20670 vs 20680 vs 20650 vs 20665: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 20680Implant removal
- Choose 20670 for superficial hardware such as an accessible buried wire or pin. Choose 20680 when removal involves a deep implant and deeper dissection.
- 20650Skeletal traction
- 20650 concerns wire or pin placement for skeletal traction, with removal included when performed. 20670 is for removal of a superficial implant as a removal service.
- 20665Cranial device removal
- 20665 is for removal of tongs or a halo. Use 20670 for superficial orthopedic implants outside that dedicated removal service.
20670 billing questions
How is superficial removal distinguished from deep implant removal?
Use the documented implant depth and the exposure required. This code describes accessible superficial hardware; removal requiring deeper dissection is considered with 20680.
Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in this service.
Should modifier 50 be used for removal on both sides?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?
Under the standard multiple procedure rule, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction.
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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