No office rate
Both codes describe percutaneous Achilles tenotomy; 27605 is for local anesthesia, while 27606 is for general anesthesia.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
27605 Achilles tenotomy Medicare reimbursement rates
Reports a percutaneous Achilles tendon release performed under local anesthesia, commonly to address equinus contracture or support correction of clubfoot. Compare 27605 office and facility rates across CMS payment localities.
Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.
What does Medicare pay for 27605?
The service location and office or facility setting determine which base rate applies. These are the supported base rates for the 109 payment areas shown below, using the same CMS release.
Office / nonfacility
$299.70–$445.90
109 of 109 localities have a supported rate.
Lowest: Arkansas
Highest: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
A spread of $146.20 per service.
These are locality ranges, not averages or address-specific quotes. A facility-setting amount covers the physician service; it does not include a hospital’s separate bill. Choose a locality below to inspect its calculation, compare other payment areas, or price a percentage of Medicare.
Where 27605 pays more and less
109 payment localities
$299.70 to $445.90
Orthopedic surgery
About 27605: Percutaneous Achilles tendon release
Reports a percutaneous Achilles tendon release performed under local anesthesia, commonly to address equinus contracture or support correction of clubfoot.
The clinician makes a small percutaneous incision to release the Achilles tendon, typically to improve a fixed equinus position. An orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist may perform the procedure in an office or surgical setting. A familiar clinical context is Achilles tenotomy during staged correction of idiopathic clubfoot. This code represents a tendon release, not repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon or open tendon lengthening.
Select 27605 when the documented percutaneous Achilles tenotomy is performed under local anesthesia; the general-anesthesia counterpart is 27606. The operative note should identify the tendon, indication, percutaneous technique, and anesthesia. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. For bilateral work, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. In a same-session multiple-procedure scenario, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeon and team-surgery payment are not permitted.
CMS billing rules for 27605
- Global period
- Minor procedure with a 10-day global period: related postoperative visits for 10 days are included.
- Multiple procedures
- Standard multiple procedure reduction: the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50% when performed in the same session.
- Bilateral procedures
- Bilateral procedure with modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
- Assistant at surgery
- Assistant at surgery is paid only with documentation of medical necessity.
- Co-surgeons
- Co-surgeons not permitted.
- Team surgery
- Team surgery not permitted.
Where the value comes from
- Work RVU2.85 · 28%
- Practice expense (office) RVU6.96 · 69%
- Malpractice RVU0.28 · 3%
648
Medicare services in 2024 · #3332 by national volume
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.
27605 compared with similar codes
Office rate ranges across all CMS payment localities, from the same CMS release.
$605.73–$882.89
27685 describes open lengthening or shortening of a single lower-leg or ankle tendon. Use 27605 for a percutaneous Achilles release under local anesthesia.
No office rate
27650 is for primary repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon. 27605 releases the tendon rather than repairing a rupture.
See how rates vary across the country
27605 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.
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.
$299.70
$401.26
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $395.52 | 1 |
| AL | $303.90 | 1 |
| AR | $299.70 | 1 |
| AZ | $328.46 | 1 |
| CA | $356.61–$445.90 | 29 |
| CO | $350.99 | 1 |
| CT | $358.78 | 1 |
| DC | $384.59 | 1 |
| DE | $333.76 | 1 |
| FL | $331.49–$360.85 | 3 |
| GA | $313.70–$342.90 | 2 |
| GU | $364.93 | 1 |
| HI | $364.93 | 1 |
| IA | $311.62 | 1 |
| ID | $313.49 | 1 |
| IL | $322.06–$351.18 | 4 |
| IN | $315.24 | 1 |
| KS | $310.06 | 1 |
| KY | $310.42 | 1 |
| LA | $309.89–$324.57 | 2 |
| MA | $348.96–$384.99 | 2 |
| MD | $339.99–$384.59 | 3 |
| ME | $314.88–$331.47 | 2 |
| MI | $318.00–$335.29 | 2 |
| MN | $337.17 | 1 |
| MO | $304.69–$325.88 | 3 |
| MS | $302.26 | 1 |
| MT | $337.00 | 1 |
| NC | $318.06 | 1 |
| ND | $331.46 | 1 |
| NE | $313.30 | 1 |
| NH | $345.38 | 1 |
| NJ | $363.12–$380.84 | 2 |
| NM | $319.60 | 1 |
| NV | $335.69 | 1 |
| NY | $322.61–$395.06 | 5 |
| OH | $316.86 | 1 |
| OK | $310.06 | 1 |
| OR | $333.31–$361.95 | 2 |
| PA | $317.44–$350.06 | 2 |
| PR | $339.43 | 1 |
| RI | $345.49 | 1 |
| SC | $317.94 | 1 |
| SD | $330.81 | 1 |
| TN | $311.53 | 1 |
| TX | $315.43–$349.62 | 8 |
| UT | $322.11 | 1 |
| VA | $330.31–$384.59 | 2 |
| VI | $339.43 | 1 |
| VT | $330.07 | 1 |
| WA | $348.34–$392.83 | 2 |
| WI | $320.78 | 1 |
| WV | $310.59 | 1 |
| WY | $334.58 | 1 |
Compare 27605 by payment locality
Find the payment area for your service address, then open its rate page for calculation inputs, release history and the percentage-of-Medicare tool. A city may cross payment-area boundaries; the ZIP lookup above helps resolve the location.
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Office $303.90 | Facility $160.69 |
| Alaska* | Office $395.52 | Facility $221.22 |
| Arizona | Office $328.46 | Facility $169.87 |
| Arkansas | Office $299.70 | Facility $159.11 |
| Atlanta | Office $342.90 | Facility $176.62 |
| Austin | Office $349.62 | Facility $176.47 |
| Bakersfield | Office $357.48 | Facility $178.11 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | Office $357.72 | Facility $182.11 |
| Beaumont | Office $315.43 | Facility $166.49 |
| Brazoria | Office $333.63 | Facility $171.44 |
| Chicago | Office $350.95 | Facility $186.47 |
| Chico | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Colorado | Office $350.99 | Facility $176.85 |
| Connecticut | Office $358.78 | Facility $182.52 |
| Dallas | Office $335.61 | Facility $172.60 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | Office $384.59 | Facility $191.80 |
| Delaware | Office $333.76 | Facility $172.06 |
| Detroit | Office $335.29 | Facility $177.36 |
| East St. Louis | Office $327.90 | Facility $177.33 |
| El Centro | Office $356.66 | Facility $177.28 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Office $347.59 | Facility $181.80 |
| Fort Worth | Office $333.41 | Facility $172.04 |
| Fresno | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Galveston | Office $334.54 | Facility $172.02 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Hawaii, Guam | Office $364.93 | Facility $178.84 |
| Houston | Office $339.67 | Facility $177.15 |
| Idaho | Office $313.49 | Facility $162.92 |
| Indiana | Office $315.24 | Facility $163.52 |
| Iowa | Office $311.62 | Facility $161.86 |
| Kansas | Office $310.06 | Facility $162.11 |
| Kentucky | Office $310.42 | Facility $164.92 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | Office $380.32 | Facility $186.70 |
| Madera | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Manhattan | Office $386.25 | Facility $196.07 |
| Merced | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Metropolitan Boston | Office $384.99 | Facility $189.57 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | Office $322.62 | Facility $168.94 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | Office $350.06 | Facility $179.69 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | Office $325.88 | Facility $170.07 |
| Miami | Office $360.85 | Facility $190.47 |
| Minnesota | Office $337.17 | Facility $168.76 |
| Mississippi | Office $302.26 | Facility $161.35 |
| Modesto | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Montana** | Office $337.00 | Facility $173.33 |
| Napa | Office $412.34 | Facility $196.63 |
| Nebraska | Office $313.30 | Facility $162.24 |
| Nevada** | Office $335.69 | Facility $171.86 |
| New Hampshire | Office $345.38 | Facility $175.00 |
| New Mexico | Office $319.60 | Facility $169.52 |
| New Orleans | Office $324.57 | Facility $170.56 |
| North Carolina | Office $318.06 | Facility $165.36 |
| North Dakota** | Office $331.46 | Facility $167.80 |
| Northern Nj | Office $380.84 | Facility $190.99 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | Office $395.06 | Facility $200.46 |
| Ohio | Office $316.86 | Facility $167.44 |
| Oklahoma | Office $310.06 | Facility $163.90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | Office $378.46 | Facility $185.01 |
| Portland | Office $361.95 | Facility $180.12 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | Office $365.35 | Facility $186.13 |
| Puerto Rico | Office $339.43 | Facility $173.97 |
| Queens | Office $389.55 | Facility $196.10 |
| Redding | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Rest Of California | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Rest Of Florida | Office $331.49 | Facility $175.03 |
| Rest Of Georgia | Office $313.70 | Facility $167.72 |
| Rest Of Illinois | Office $322.06 | Facility $172.63 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | Office $309.89 | Facility $165.05 |
| Rest Of Maine | Office $314.88 | Facility $164.31 |
| Rest Of Maryland | Office $339.99 | Facility $174.36 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | Office $348.96 | Facility $176.62 |
| Rest Of Michigan | Office $318.00 | Facility $168.57 |
| Rest Of Missouri | Office $304.69 | Facility $163.61 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | Office $363.12 | Facility $184.40 |
| Rest Of New York | Office $322.61 | Facility $167.13 |
| Rest Of Oregon | Office $333.31 | Facility $170.30 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | Office $317.44 | Facility $167.19 |
| Rest Of Texas | Office $324.25 | Facility $168.93 |
| Rest Of Washington | Office $348.34 | Facility $176.00 |
| Rhode Island | Office $345.49 | Facility $176.42 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | Office $359.67 | Facility $180.29 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | Office $374.00 | Facility $183.65 |
| Salinas | Office $372.59 | Facility $182.90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | Office $381.15 | Facility $185.41 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | Office $436.31 | Facility $205.54 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | Office $435.99 | Facility $205.23 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | Office $445.90 | Facility $209.89 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | Office $444.60 | Facility $208.59 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | Office $366.61 | Facility $180.19 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | Office $384.66 | Facility $185.80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | Office $373.93 | Facility $183.10 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | Office $388.53 | Facility $187.55 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | Office $392.83 | Facility $192.02 |
| South Carolina | Office $317.94 | Facility $166.72 |
| South Dakota** | Office $330.81 | Facility $167.14 |
| Southern Maine | Office $331.47 | Facility $169.28 |
| Stockton | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| Suburban Chicago | Office $351.18 | Facility $183.09 |
| Tennessee | Office $311.53 | Facility $162.76 |
| Utah | Office $322.11 | Facility $168.27 |
| Vallejo | Office $411.88 | Facility $196.17 |
| Vermont | Office $330.07 | Facility $168.04 |
| Virgin Islands | Office $339.43 | Facility $173.97 |
| Virginia | Office $330.31 | Facility $169.43 |
| Visalia | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
| West Virginia | Office $310.59 | Facility $168.37 |
| Wisconsin | Office $320.78 | Facility $163.99 |
| Wyoming** | Office $334.58 | Facility $170.92 |
| Yuba City | Office $356.61 | Facility $177.23 |
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27605 billing questions
How do I choose between 27605 and 27606?
Both report percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. Use 27605 for local anesthesia and 27606 when the procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
Does 27605 include repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon?
No. It reports release of the tendon, not repair of a rupture. A primary Achilles tendon repair is represented by 27650.
Can I report modifier 50 when both Achilles tendons are released?
Yes. CMS identifies 27605 as bilateral, with modifier 50 paid at 150% when the procedure is performed bilaterally.
Are related postoperative visits separately paid during the global period?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.
What should the operative note support?
Document the Achilles tendon treated, the reason for release, the percutaneous technique, and use of local anesthesia. These details distinguish 27605 from the general-anesthesia code and from tendon repair.
How does CMS handle other procedures performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for 27605.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.
Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.
2,96427602,,Decompression of lower leg,A,,7.62,3.79,NA,3.79,,1.88,13.29,13.29,0,090,0.10,0.69,0.21,2,1,2,1,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
2,96527603,,Drain lower leg lesion,A,,5.10,10.29,,5.10,,0.92,16.31,11.12,0,090,0.10,0.69,0.21,2,1,1,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
2,96627604,,Drain lower leg bursa,A,,4.48,9.00,,4.18,,0.82,14.30,9.48,0,090,0.10,0.69,0.21,2,1,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
2,96727605,,Incision of achilles tendon,A,,2.85,6.96,,2.06,,0.28,10.09,5.19,0,010,0.10,0.80,0.10,2,1,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
2,96827606,,Incision of achilles tendon,A,,4.08,2.90,NA,2.90,,0.65,7.63,7.63,0,010,0.10,0.80,0.10,2,1,1,1,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
2,96927607,,Treat lower leg bone lesion,A,,8.40,6.93,NA,6.93,,1.65,16.98,16.98,0,090,0.10,0.69,0.21,2,1,1,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
2,97027610,,Explore/treat ankle joint,A,,8.90,7.71,NA,7.71,,1.64,18.25,18.25,0,090,0.10,0.69,0.21,2,1,1,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00