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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

21501 in Redding

Office / nonfacility

$541.65

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$333.36

Base rate per service

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.

Surgical drainage

About 21501: Deep neck or thoracic abscess drainage

Reports operative drainage of a deep abscess or hematoma in neck or thoracic soft tissue, without the additional bone or rib work described by related codes.

A surgeon makes an operative incision to reach and drain a deep collection of pus or blood in the soft tissues of the neck or thorax. Examples include a deep neck-space infection or a deep thoracic soft-tissue collection. The work is distinct from draining a superficial skin abscess and from removing a mass or taking a biopsy. These procedures are commonly performed in a hospital operating room, though the setting depends on the patient and clinical circumstances.

Report 21501 when the documented work is drainage of the deep soft-tissue collection and does not include the additional rib or bone work represented by related codes. The operative report should identify the neck or thoracic site, the depth and nature of the collection, and the drainage performed. This major surgery code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

CMS billing rules for 21501

Global period
Major surgery with a 90-day global period: the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care 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 adjustment does not apply; the descriptor or anatomy makes modifier 50 inappropriate.
Assistant at surgery
Statutory restriction: assistant at surgery is not paid.
Co-surgeons
Co-surgeons not permitted.
Team surgery
Team surgery not permitted.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU3.88 · 25%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU10.79 · 70%
  • Malpractice RVU0.83 · 5%

2.4K

Medicare services in 2024 · #2316 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.

21501 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Redding, from the same CMS release.

21502

Deep abscess drainage

With rib osteomyelitis

No office rate

21501 covers deep soft-tissue drainage without rib resection. Use 21502 when the operative work includes the rib-related resection described by that code.

21510

Thoracic I&D

With bone cortex opening

No office rate

21510 is for deep thoracic drainage that includes opening bone cortex. 21501 applies when the documented drainage is in soft tissue without that bony work.

21550

Soft-tissue biopsy

Deep neck or thorax

$286.94

21550 reports a biopsy of neck or chest tissue for diagnosis. 21501 reports operative drainage of a deep collection, not tissue sampling alone.

The same code, a different location

How does Redding compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 21501 is $543.93—$2.28 higher than the $541.65 rate in Redding. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

21501 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Redding · This locality

    $541.65

  2. Bakersfield

    $543.93

    $2.28 higher than Redding

  3. Chico

    $541.65

    The same base rate than Redding

  4. El Centro

    $541.79

    $0.14 higher than Redding

  5. Fresno

    $541.65

    The same base rate than Redding

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $541.65

    The same base rate than Redding

  7. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $579.66

    $38.01 higher than Redding

Other payment areas listed in California appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 21501 ranges from $453.45 in Arkansas to $678.40 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Madera

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 21501

    Office

    $626.84

    Facility

    $376.36

    $85.19 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 21501

    Office

    $576.48

    Facility

    $351.84

    $34.83 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 21501

    Office

    $550.57

    Facility

    $342.27

    $8.92 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 21501

    Office

    $568.26

    Facility

    $347.23

    $26.61 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 21501

    Office

    $566.17

    Facility

    $345.90

    $24.52 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 21501

    Office

    $579.54

    Facility

    $352.24

    $37.89 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 21501

    Office

    $662.79

    Facility

    $394.82

    $121.14 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 21501

    Office

    $661.85

    Facility

    $393.88

    $120.20 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 21501

    Office

    $678.40

    Facility

    $404.35

    $136.75 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 21501

    Office

    $674.55

    Facility

    $400.49

    $132.90 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 21501

    Office

    $557.15

    Facility

    $340.68

    $15.50 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 21501

    Office

    $585.06

    Facility

    $354.15

    $43.41 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 21501

    Office

    $568.30

    Facility

    $346.71

    $26.65 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 21501

    Office

    $590.91

    Facility

    $357.53

    $49.26 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 21501

    Office

    $625.49

    Facility

    $375.00

    $83.84 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 21501

    Office

    $541.65

    Facility

    $333.36

    The same base rate than Redding for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 21501

    Office

    $592.00

    Facility

    $368.11

    $50.35 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 21501

    Office

    $574.88

    Facility

    $377.04

    $33.23 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 21501

    Office

    $556.32

    Facility

    $365.32

    $14.67 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 21501

    Office

    $600.64

    Facility

    $379.80

    $58.99 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 21501

    Office

    $593.49

    Facility

    $391.09

    $51.84 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 21501

    Office

    $460.63

    Facility

    $294.34

    $81.02 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 21501

    Office

    $453.45

    Facility

    $290.20

    $88.20 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 21501

    Office

    $502.55

    Facility

    $318.39

    $39.10 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 21501

    Office

    $536.26

    Facility

    $334.05

    $5.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 21501

    Office

    $553.88

    Facility

    $349.19

    $12.23 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 21501

    Office

    $511.24

    Facility

    $323.47

    $30.41 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 21501

    Office

    $544.80

    Facility

    $352.28

    $3.15 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 21501

    Office

    $515.80

    Facility

    $334.11

    $25.85 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 21501

    Office

    $529.44

    Facility

    $336.35

    $12.21 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 21501

    Office

    $484.11

    Facility

    $314.59

    $57.54 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 21501

    Office

    $555.42

    Facility

    $339.33

    $13.77 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 21501

    Office

    $470.36

    Facility

    $296.47

    $71.29 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 21501

    Office

    $474.27

    Facility

    $299.43

    $67.38 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 21501

    Office

    $516.99

    Facility

    $342.15

    $24.66 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 21501

    Office

    $501.97

    Facility

    $328.45

    $39.68 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 21501

    Office

    $549.75

    Facility

    $354.57

    $8.10 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 21501

    Office

    $477.16

    Facility

    $300.98

    $64.49 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 21501

    Office

    $469.37

    Facility

    $297.56

    $72.28 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 21501

    Office

    $475.35

    Facility

    $306.40

    $66.30 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 21501

    Office

    $500.22

    Facility

    $321.38

    $41.43 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 21501

    Office

    $475.10

    Facility

    $306.91

    $66.55 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 21501

    Office

    $589.89

    Facility

    $362.97

    $48.24 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 21501

    Office

    $533.26

    Facility

    $333.14

    $8.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 21501

    Office

    $552.67

    Facility

    $348.74

    $11.02 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 21501

    Office

    $521.06

    Facility

    $328.73

    $20.59 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 21501

    Office

    $478.40

    Facility

    $303.56

    $63.25 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 21501

    Office

    $504.24

    Facility

    $315.90

    $37.41 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 21501

    Office

    $524.12

    Facility

    $340.72

    $17.53 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 21501

    Office

    $489.94

    Facility

    $316.42

    $51.71 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 21501

    Office

    $508.65

    Facility

    $313.09

    $33.00 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 21501

    Office

    $495.09

    Facility

    $316.63

    $46.56 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 21501

    Office

    $500.47

    Facility

    $319.54

    $41.18 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 21501

    Office

    $467.26

    Facility

    $303.43

    $74.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 21501

    Office

    $460.38

    Facility

    $296.75

    $81.27 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 21501

    Office

    $517.66

    Facility

    $327.61

    $23.99 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 21501

    Office

    $483.56

    Facility

    $306.24

    $58.09 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 21501

    Office

    $501.25

    Facility

    $311.20

    $40.40 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 21501

    Office

    $472.72

    Facility

    $297.30

    $68.93 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 21501

    Office

    $529.02

    Facility

    $331.18

    $12.63 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 21501

    Office

    $585.43

    Facility

    $364.97

    $43.78 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 21501

    Office

    $558.74

    Facility

    $351.21

    $17.09 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 21501

    Office

    $493.37

    Facility

    $319.10

    $48.28 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 21501

    Office

    $513.44

    Facility

    $323.20

    $28.21 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 21501

    Office

    $617.88

    Facility

    $391.91

    $76.23 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 21501

    Office

    $563.61

    Facility

    $355.50

    $21.96 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 21501

    Office

    $603.85

    Facility

    $379.21

    $62.20 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 21501

    Office

    $491.46

    Facility

    $310.91

    $50.19 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 21501

    Office

    $486.58

    Facility

    $313.06

    $55.07 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 21501

    Office

    $472.97

    Facility

    $303.25

    $68.68 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 21501

    Office

    $552.69

    Facility

    $341.55

    $11.04 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 21501

    Office

    $508.04

    Facility

    $318.75

    $33.61 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 21501

    Office

    $540.17

    Facility

    $342.33

    $1.48 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 21501

    Office

    $486.64

    Facility

    $312.17

    $55.01 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 21501

    Office

    $521.26

    Facility

    $329.12

    $20.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 21501

    Office

    $529.08

    Facility

    $332.75

    $12.57 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 21501

    Office

    $486.17

    Facility

    $310.56

    $55.48 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 21501

    Office

    $499.31

    Facility

    $309.25

    $42.34 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 21501

    Office

    $472.08

    Facility

    $299.33

    $69.57 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $535.72

    Facility

    $334.64

    $5.93 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $483.31

    Facility

    $310.36

    $58.34 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $509.41

    Facility

    $321.07

    $32.24 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $513.50

    Facility

    $324.21

    $28.15 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $510.26

    Facility

    $322.87

    $31.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $511.46

    Facility

    $322.74

    $30.19 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $526.65

    Facility

    $337.93

    $15.00 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 21501

    Office

    $496.64

    Facility

    $316.29

    $45.01 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 21501

    Office

    $493.26

    Facility

    $314.61

    $48.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 21501

    Office

    $503.44

    Facility

    $316.62

    $38.21 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 21501

    Office

    $521.26

    Facility

    $329.12

    $20.39 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 21501

    Office

    $500.41

    Facility

    $312.26

    $41.24 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 21501

    Office

    $531.87

    Facility

    $331.75

    $9.78 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 21501

    Office

    $600.93

    Facility

    $367.74

    $59.28 higher than Redding for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 21501

    Office

    $483.39

    Facility

    $301.32

    $58.26 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 21501

    Office

    $482.45

    Facility

    $317.30

    $59.20 lower than Redding for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 21501

    Office

    $510.51

    Facility

    $320.45

    $31.14 lower than Redding for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

21501 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$453.45

$610.03

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$593.491
AL$460.631
AR$453.451
AZ$502.551
CA$541.65–$678.4029
CO$536.261
CT$553.881
DC$592.001
DE$511.241
FL$515.80–$574.883
GA$484.11–$529.442
GU$555.421
HI$555.421
IA$470.361
ID$474.271
IL$501.97–$556.324
IN$477.161
KS$469.371
KY$475.351
LA$475.10–$500.222
MA$533.26–$589.892
MD$521.06–$592.003
ME$478.40–$504.242
MI$489.94–$524.122
MN$508.651
MO$467.26–$500.473
MS$460.381
MT$517.661
NC$483.561
ND$501.251
NE$472.721
NH$529.021
NJ$558.74–$585.432
NM$493.371
NV$513.441
NY$491.46–$617.885
OH$486.581
OK$472.971
OR$508.04–$552.692
PA$486.64–$540.172
PR$521.261
RI$529.081
SC$486.171
SD$499.311
TN$472.081
TX$483.31–$535.728
UT$493.261
VA$503.44–$592.002
VI$521.261
VT$500.411
WA$531.87–$600.932
WI$483.391
WV$482.451
WY$510.511

Explore 21501 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Redding is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 32 cities and communities in California, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in California →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 21501 in Redding, the physician’s office rate is $541.65 and the facility-setting rate is $333.36: a difference of $208.29.

The calculation uses a different practice-expense RVU for each setting. Both amounts here are physician fee-schedule amounts. The facility figure does not include a hospital’s separate charges, so this comparison does not tell you the total cost of receiving care in each setting.

See the inputs behind this difference →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 21501 in Redding. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$595.82

$541.65 × 110% = $595.82

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

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How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 21501 in Redding.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,998

Code
21501
Physician work
3.88
Practice expense
10.79
Malpractice
0.83

GPCI2026.csv

19

Locality
Redding
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 21501 in Redding
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.88× 1.0173.9460
Practice expense10.79× 1.09611.8258
Malpractice0.83× 0.5360.4449
Total RVUs16.2167
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Redding$541.65

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 21501 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work3.881.017
Practice expense10.791.096
Malpractice0.830.536

(3.88 × 1.017 + 10.79 × 1.096 + 0.83 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $541.65

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work3.881.017
Practice expense5.11.096
Malpractice0.830.536

(3.88 × 1.017 + 5.1 × 1.096 + 0.83 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $333.36

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

21501 · Office / nonfacility

$541.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $44.83 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $496.82 to $541.65 (9.0%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $496.82changed to$541.65

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.98 changed to 3.88
    • Practice expense RVU 9.94 changed to 10.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.82 changed to 0.83
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $496.82

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$541.65$333.36RVU26D
2026-07-01$541.65$333.36RVU26C
2026-04-01$541.65$333.36RVU26B
2026-01-01$541.65$333.36RVU26A
2025-10-01$496.82$341.97RVU25D
2025-07-01$496.82$341.97RVU25C
2025-04-01$496.82$341.97RVU25B
2025-01-01$496.82$341.97RVU25A

21501 billing questions

How does 21501 differ from 21502?

Use 21501 for drainage of a deep neck or thoracic soft-tissue collection without the additional rib resection represented by 21502. Review the operative report for the specific work performed.

When would 21510 be more appropriate?

21510 describes deep drainage in the thorax with opening of bone cortex. Use 21501 when the documented procedure is confined to the deep soft tissues.

Can a superficial neck abscess be reported with 21501?

No. This code is for an operative approach to a deep collection in neck or thoracic soft tissue, not a superficial skin abscess.

Can modifier 50 be used for drainage on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code. Report the service according to the documented procedure rather than appending modifier 50.

Is an assistant surgeon payable for 21501?

No. CMS lists a statutory restriction on assistant-at-surgery payment for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are also not permitted.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care for 90 days.

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.

RVUs for 21501PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,998 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ReddingGPCI2026.csv, line 19 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet