CPT 64728: Carpal tunnel decompressionMedicare rate & RVUs
Surgical decompression of the median nerve at the wrist is reported when operative treatment relieves pressure within the carpal tunnel.
Medicare pays $1,343.05 for 64728 nationally in the office and $122.58 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $1,163.64–$1,899.48.
Medicare rate · 64728
Carpal tunnel decompression
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 2.7
- Total RVUs
- 40.21
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$1,343.05
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
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 64728 covers
A surgeon decompresses the median nerve where it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist, relieving pressure associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. The procedure is generally performed by a hand, orthopedic, plastic, or neurosurgeon in an operating room or ambulatory surgery setting. The operative report should identify the median nerve and carpal tunnel as the site and describe the decompression performed.
Report this code when the documented service is median nerve decompression at the carpal tunnel; distinguish it from other nerve procedures by the nerve and operative work described. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; 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 64728 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
$1163.64 to $1899.48
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,183.96 | $116.05 |
| Alaska* | $1,465.46 | $165.66 |
| Arizona | $1,303.31 | $120.67 |
| Arkansas | $1,163.64 | $115.26 |
| Atlanta | $1,364.85 | $124.85 |
| Austin | $1,414.52 | $123.26 |
| Bakersfield | $1,461.14 | $123.50 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $1,437.27 | $127.70 |
| Beaumont | $1,230.44 | $119.82 |
| Brazoria | $1,330.80 | $121.32 |
| Chicago | $1,360.29 | $133.72 |
| Chico | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Colorado | $1,422.05 | $123.47 |
| Connecticut | $1,442.39 | $127.95 |
| Dallas | $1,337.74 | $122.16 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $1,570.41 | $132.70 |
| Delaware | $1,327.75 | $121.93 |
| Detroit | $1,304.98 | $127.23 |
| East St. Louis | $1,251.59 | $128.76 |
| El Centro | $1,460.41 | $122.78 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $1,365.71 | $129.38 |
| Fort Worth | $1,325.40 | $122.02 |
| Fresno | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Galveston | $1,333.68 | $121.75 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $1,510.22 | $122.55 |
| Houston | $1,338.07 | $126.15 |
| Idaho | $1,239.24 | $116.41 |
| Indiana | $1,248.06 | $116.68 |
| Iowa | $1,232.40 | $115.67 |
| Kansas | $1,219.57 | $116.26 |
| Kentucky | $1,204.19 | $119.19 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $1,571.86 | $128.05 |
| Madera | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Manhattan | $1,555.19 | $137.00 |
| Merced | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $1,587.37 | $130.13 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $1,266.93 | $120.91 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $1,397.26 | $126.75 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $1,283.31 | $121.43 |
| Miami | $1,406.35 | $135.84 |
| Minnesota | $1,373.51 | $117.64 |
| Mississippi | $1,167.92 | $117.10 |
| Modesto | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Montana** | $1,343.03 | $122.57 |
| Napa | $1,740.65 | $132.07 |
| Nebraska | $1,242.21 | $115.72 |
| Nevada** | $1,342.96 | $121.27 |
| New Hampshire | $1,393.09 | $122.58 |
| New Mexico | $1,241.34 | $122.17 |
| New Orleans | $1,270.69 | $122.23 |
| North Carolina | $1,256.75 | $118.05 |
| North Dakota** | $1,338.29 | $117.82 |
| Northern Nj | $1,548.45 | $132.71 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $1,590.97 | $139.83 |
| Ohio | $1,234.81 | $120.52 |
| Oklahoma | $1,208.06 | $118.18 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $1,569.12 | $126.52 |
| Portland | $1,480.62 | $124.68 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $1,467.05 | $130.64 |
| Puerto Rico | $1,356.62 | $122.73 |
| Queens | $1,578.93 | $136.33 |
| Redding | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Rest Of California | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Rest Of Florida | $1,292.31 | $125.54 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $1,210.15 | $121.49 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $1,239.26 | $124.97 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $1,199.56 | $119.44 |
| Rest Of Maine | $1,240.43 | $117.60 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $1,358.23 | $123.12 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $1,408.84 | $123.69 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $1,235.78 | $121.49 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $1,171.05 | $119.01 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $1,461.96 | $129.21 |
| Rest Of New York | $1,278.43 | $118.98 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $1,335.69 | $120.10 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $1,240.53 | $120.14 |
| Rest Of Texas | $1,278.79 | $120.56 |
| Rest Of Washington | $1,408.28 | $123.13 |
| Rhode Island | $1,384.98 | $124.23 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $1,463.00 | $125.37 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $1,545.49 | $126.08 |
| Salinas | $1,540.06 | $125.53 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $1,586.08 | $126.39 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $1,857.67 | $136.81 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $1,857.40 | $136.54 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $1,899.48 | $139.56 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $1,898.36 | $138.44 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $1,513.90 | $123.78 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $1,608.87 | $126.00 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $1,548.50 | $125.43 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $1,625.86 | $127.13 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $1,628.67 | $131.16 |
| South Carolina | $1,247.24 | $119.53 |
| South Dakota** | $1,337.73 | $117.26 |
| Southern Maine | $1,328.89 | $119.40 |
| Stockton | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| Suburban Chicago | $1,383.48 | $130.06 |
| Tennessee | $1,226.06 | $116.65 |
| Utah | $1,267.54 | $120.30 |
| Vallejo | $1,740.26 | $131.68 |
| Vermont | $1,326.64 | $118.38 |
| Virgin Islands | $1,356.62 | $122.73 |
| Virginia | $1,319.53 | $119.81 |
| Visalia | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
| West Virginia | $1,183.43 | $122.84 |
| Wisconsin | $1,285.22 | $116.01 |
| Wyoming** | $1,340.97 | $120.50 |
| Yuba City | $1,460.37 | $122.74 |
64728 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.
$1,163.64
$1,679.93
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 | $1,465.46 | 1 |
| AL | $1,183.96 | 1 |
| AR | $1,163.64 | 1 |
| AZ | $1,303.31 | 1 |
| CA | $1,460.37–$1,899.48 | 29 |
| CO | $1,422.05 | 1 |
| CT | $1,442.39 | 1 |
| DC | $1,570.41 | 1 |
| DE | $1,327.75 | 1 |
| FL | $1,292.31–$1,406.35 | 3 |
| GA | $1,210.15–$1,364.85 | 2 |
| GU | $1,510.22 | 1 |
| HI | $1,510.22 | 1 |
| IA | $1,232.40 | 1 |
| ID | $1,239.24 | 1 |
| IL | $1,239.26–$1,383.48 | 4 |
| IN | $1,248.06 | 1 |
| KS | $1,219.57 | 1 |
| KY | $1,204.19 | 1 |
| LA | $1,199.56–$1,270.69 | 2 |
| MA | $1,408.84–$1,587.37 | 2 |
| MD | $1,358.23–$1,570.41 | 3 |
| ME | $1,240.43–$1,328.89 | 2 |
| MI | $1,235.78–$1,304.98 | 2 |
| MN | $1,373.51 | 1 |
| MO | $1,171.05–$1,283.31 | 3 |
| MS | $1,167.92 | 1 |
| MT | $1,343.03 | 1 |
| NC | $1,256.75 | 1 |
| ND | $1,338.29 | 1 |
| NE | $1,242.21 | 1 |
| NH | $1,393.09 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,461.96–$1,548.45 | 2 |
| NM | $1,241.34 | 1 |
| NV | $1,342.96 | 1 |
| NY | $1,278.43–$1,590.97 | 5 |
| OH | $1,234.81 | 1 |
| OK | $1,208.06 | 1 |
| OR | $1,335.69–$1,480.62 | 2 |
| PA | $1,240.53–$1,397.26 | 2 |
| PR | $1,356.62 | 1 |
| RI | $1,384.98 | 1 |
| SC | $1,247.24 | 1 |
| SD | $1,337.73 | 1 |
| TN | $1,226.06 | 1 |
| TX | $1,230.44–$1,414.52 | 8 |
| UT | $1,267.54 | 1 |
| VA | $1,319.53–$1,570.41 | 2 |
| VI | $1,356.62 | 1 |
| VT | $1,326.64 | 1 |
| WA | $1,408.28–$1,628.67 | 2 |
| WI | $1,285.22 | 1 |
| WV | $1,183.43 | 1 |
| WY | $1,340.97 | 1 |
How the 64728 rate is calculated
Each of 64728’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 · 64728
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.70Practice expense 37.27Malpractice 0.24
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 64728
The CMS indicators that decide how 64728 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 64728
Carpal tunnel decompression
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
64728 without 50 · national office
$1,343.05
Carpal tunnel decompression
64728-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$2,014.58
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).
64728 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
64728 vs 64721 vs 29848 vs 64722: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 64721Carpal tunnel release
- Both concern the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. Choose based on whether the documented operation is decompression or neuroplasty and/or transposition.
- 29848Carpal tunnel release
- This code describes median nerve decompression at the carpal tunnel; 29848 is used for endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
- 64722Nerve decompression
- Use 64722 for decompression of an unspecified nerve. This code identifies the median nerve and carpal tunnel specifically.
64728 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 64721?
Use the code that matches the documented operation: this code identifies median nerve decompression at the carpal tunnel, while 64721 describes neuroplasty and/or transposition at that site. Review the operative report for the procedure actually performed.
Can this be reported with an endoscopic carpal tunnel release?
CPT 29848 describes endoscopic release at the carpal tunnel and is generally an alternative code for that operative approach, not an additional charge for the same decompression.
Is same-day postoperative care included?
Yes. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
How is bilateral surgery reported?
For bilateral procedures, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral service at 150%.
When can an assistant-at-surgery be paid?
Payment for an assistant at surgery requires documentation of medical necessity. Co-surgeon and team-surgery payment is not permitted.
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
Fee sheets
Put 64728 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Current Medicare rates for every code you bill at your locality, with what changed since last quarter.
Get a fee sheetOr price your code list free →