Billing code 28240: Great toe releaseMedicare rate & RVUs
Reports operative lengthening or release of the abductor hallucis muscle when its tightness affects great-toe position or motion.
Medicare pays $440.22 for 28240 nationally in the office and $276.89 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $393.68–$573.03.
Medicare rate · 28240
Great toe release
- Work RVUs
- 4.37
- Total RVUs
- 13.18
- Global days
- 090
National rate · 2026
$440.22
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 28240 →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 28240 covers
This procedure lengthens or releases the abductor hallucis muscle, a muscle along the inner side of the foot that acts on the great toe. A foot and ankle surgeon or podiatrist may perform it to address a contracture affecting great-toe position or motion. The operative report should identify the abductor hallucis as the treated structure and describe the work performed; a release of a toe joint or a different tendon is not this service.
Report the code for the abductor hallucis procedure, not for a separate tendon or joint release. Document the indication, treated side, and operative details. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; 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 28240 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
$393.68 to $573.03
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $398.90 | $255.99 |
| Alaska* | $524.78 | $350.83 |
| Arizona | $429.44 | $271.17 |
| Arkansas | $393.68 | $253.38 |
| Atlanta | $448.09 | $282.15 |
| Austin | $455.06 | $282.25 |
| Bakersfield | $464.09 | $285.08 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $466.45 | $291.20 |
| Beaumont | $414.02 | $265.39 |
| Brazoria | $435.64 | $273.78 |
| Chicago | $461.68 | $297.53 |
| Chico | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Colorado | $456.65 | $282.87 |
| Connecticut | $467.76 | $291.85 |
| Dallas | $438.33 | $275.66 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $499.53 | $307.13 |
| Delaware | $436.11 | $274.74 |
| Detroit | $440.52 | $282.91 |
| East St. Louis | $432.76 | $282.50 |
| El Centro | $462.80 | $283.79 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $455.73 | $290.28 |
| Fort Worth | $435.73 | $274.68 |
| Fresno | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Galveston | $436.91 | $274.72 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $472.34 | $286.63 |
| Houston | $444.96 | $282.77 |
| Idaho | $410.11 | $259.85 |
| Indiana | $412.26 | $260.85 |
| Iowa | $407.60 | $258.15 |
| Kansas | $406.10 | $258.45 |
| Kentucky | $407.94 | $262.74 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $492.43 | $299.21 |
| Madera | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Manhattan | $503.47 | $313.68 |
| Merced | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $498.83 | $303.81 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $422.83 | $269.47 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $457.15 | $287.12 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $426.83 | $271.34 |
| Miami | $474.16 | $304.13 |
| Minnesota | $437.98 | $269.92 |
| Mississippi | $397.53 | $256.90 |
| Modesto | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Montana** | $440.19 | $276.86 |
| Napa | $531.09 | $315.82 |
| Nebraska | $409.56 | $258.80 |
| Nevada** | $438.05 | $274.56 |
| New Hampshire | $449.85 | $279.82 |
| New Mexico | $419.97 | $270.20 |
| New Orleans | $425.73 | $272.03 |
| North Carolina | $416.19 | $263.80 |
| North Dakota** | $431.49 | $268.16 |
| Northern Nj | $495.15 | $305.69 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $515.00 | $320.80 |
| Ohio | $416.02 | $266.90 |
| Oklahoma | $407.03 | $261.18 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $489.65 | $296.59 |
| Portland | $469.83 | $288.37 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $476.44 | $297.59 |
| Puerto Rico | $443.08 | $277.95 |
| Queens | $506.94 | $313.89 |
| Redding | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Rest Of California | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Rest Of Florida | $435.32 | $279.17 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $412.85 | $267.16 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $424.18 | $275.06 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $407.46 | $262.91 |
| Rest Of Maine | $412.30 | $262.04 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $443.83 | $278.54 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $454.39 | $282.41 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $417.80 | $268.68 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $401.26 | $260.47 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $473.21 | $294.85 |
| Rest Of New York | $421.88 | $266.72 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $434.74 | $272.06 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $416.49 | $266.55 |
| Rest Of Texas | $424.54 | $269.54 |
| Rest Of Washington | $453.43 | $281.44 |
| Rhode Island | $450.64 | $281.92 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $467.53 | $288.52 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $484.23 | $294.28 |
| Salinas | $482.38 | $293.08 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $492.67 | $297.32 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $560.76 | $330.47 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $560.26 | $329.97 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $573.03 | $337.51 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $570.99 | $335.46 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $474.75 | $288.71 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $496.58 | $298.13 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $483.90 | $293.46 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $501.52 | $300.95 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $508.29 | $307.89 |
| South Carolina | $416.77 | $265.86 |
| South Dakota** | $430.47 | $267.14 |
| Southern Maine | $432.28 | $270.42 |
| Stockton | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| Suburban Chicago | $460.14 | $292.40 |
| Tennessee | $407.98 | $259.51 |
| Utah | $421.95 | $268.42 |
| Vallejo | $530.37 | $315.10 |
| Vermont | $430.17 | $268.47 |
| Virgin Islands | $443.08 | $277.95 |
| Virginia | $431.15 | $270.60 |
| Visalia | $462.72 | $283.71 |
| West Virginia | $409.93 | $268.00 |
| Wisconsin | $418.31 | $261.84 |
| Wyoming** | $436.40 | $273.07 |
| Yuba City | $462.72 | $283.71 |
28240 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.
$393.68
$524.78
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 | $524.78 | 1 |
| AL | $398.90 | 1 |
| AR | $393.68 | 1 |
| AZ | $429.44 | 1 |
| CA | $462.72–$573.03 | 29 |
| CO | $456.65 | 1 |
| CT | $467.76 | 1 |
| DC | $499.53 | 1 |
| DE | $436.11 | 1 |
| FL | $435.32–$474.16 | 3 |
| GA | $412.85–$448.09 | 2 |
| GU | $472.34 | 1 |
| HI | $472.34 | 1 |
| IA | $407.60 | 1 |
| ID | $410.11 | 1 |
| IL | $424.18–$461.68 | 4 |
| IN | $412.26 | 1 |
| KS | $406.10 | 1 |
| KY | $407.94 | 1 |
| LA | $407.46–$425.73 | 2 |
| MA | $454.39–$498.83 | 2 |
| MD | $443.83–$499.53 | 3 |
| ME | $412.30–$432.28 | 2 |
| MI | $417.80–$440.52 | 2 |
| MN | $437.98 | 1 |
| MO | $401.26–$426.83 | 3 |
| MS | $397.53 | 1 |
| MT | $440.19 | 1 |
| NC | $416.19 | 1 |
| ND | $431.49 | 1 |
| NE | $409.56 | 1 |
| NH | $449.85 | 1 |
| NJ | $473.21–$495.15 | 2 |
| NM | $419.97 | 1 |
| NV | $438.05 | 1 |
| NY | $421.88–$515.00 | 5 |
| OH | $416.02 | 1 |
| OK | $407.03 | 1 |
| OR | $434.74–$469.83 | 2 |
| PA | $416.49–$457.15 | 2 |
| PR | $443.08 | 1 |
| RI | $450.64 | 1 |
| SC | $416.77 | 1 |
| SD | $430.47 | 1 |
| TN | $407.98 | 1 |
| TX | $414.02–$455.06 | 8 |
| UT | $421.95 | 1 |
| VA | $431.15–$499.53 | 2 |
| VI | $443.08 | 1 |
| VT | $430.17 | 1 |
| WA | $453.43–$508.29 | 2 |
| WI | $418.31 | 1 |
| WV | $409.93 | 1 |
| WY | $436.40 | 1 |
How the 28240 rate is calculated
Each of 28240’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 · 28240
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work4.37
4.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense8.37
8.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.44
0.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
13.1800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$440.22
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 28240
28240 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 28240
Great toe release
| 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) | 0.10/0.69/0.21 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 28240
Great toe release
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
28240 without 50 · national office
$440.22
Great toe release
28240-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$660.33
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).
28240 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 28220Foot tendon release
- 28220 addresses release, lengthening, or tenotomy of a foot tendon. Choose 28240 when the treated structure is the abductor hallucis muscle.
- 28232Toe tendon incision
- 28232 describes an open flexor tendon procedure on a toe. It is not the code for work on the abductor hallucis muscle.
- 28272Toe joint release
- 28272 is a toe joint-capsule release. 28240 is selected for the abductor hallucis muscle procedure, not a joint release.
28240 billing questions
When should I report 28240 instead of a foot tendon-release code?
Use 28240 when the operative work is on the abductor hallucis muscle. A release involving a different foot tendon is represented by the applicable tendon procedure code.
Is a great-toe joint release included in 28240?
No. This code identifies work on the abductor hallucis muscle; a separate joint-capsule release is a different procedure and should be supported by distinct operative documentation.
How is bilateral 28240 reported?
CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
Does the 90-day global include postoperative visits?
Yes. The global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be billed?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What happens when 28240 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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