Billing code 24079: Tumor resectionMedicare rate & RVUs in Alaska
Report radical resection of a soft-tissue tumor in the upper arm or elbow area when the tumor measures 5 cm or larger.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 24079 in Alaska.
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 9 sections
What 24079 covers
This code describes radical removal of a soft-tissue tumor in the upper arm or elbow area measuring at least 5 cm. The surgeon removes the tumor with the extent of surrounding tissue required for a radical resection, rather than performing a limited excision or diagnostic sampling. Orthopedic oncologists and other surgeons treating soft-tissue tumors typically perform the operation in a hospital operating room; Medicare volume is reported in the facility setting.
Choose this code when the operative report supports both the radical extent of resection and the tumor size threshold. Document the site, size, and tissues removed so the service can be distinguished from a limited deep excision or a smaller radical resection. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons require supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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.
24079 in Alaska*
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska* | Unavailable | $1,518.43 |
How the 24079 rate is calculated
Each of 24079’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 · 24079
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 20.09Practice expense 12.00Malpractice 4.62
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 24079
24079 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 24079
Tumor resection
| 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) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 24079
Tumor resection
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
24079 without 50 · national facility
$1,226.15
Tumor resection
24079-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,839.23
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).
24079 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
24079 vs 24077 vs 24073 vs 24071 vs 24066: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 24077Tumor resection
- This is the corresponding radical-resection code for arm or elbow soft-tissue tumors under 5 cm; 24079 is for tumors 5 cm or larger.
- 24073Tumor excision
- Use 24073 for deep tumor excision measuring 5 cm or larger when the operative service is not a radical resection.
- 24071Soft-tissue excision
- 24071 is for subcutaneous lesion excision in the arm or elbow area; 24079 describes radical resection of a larger soft-tissue tumor.
- 24066Soft-tissue biopsy
- 24066 represents deep soft-tissue biopsy for diagnostic sampling, not definitive radical removal of a tumor.
24079 billing questions
How does this differ from 24077?
Both describe radical resection of a soft-tissue tumor in the arm or elbow area. Use 24079 for a tumor measuring 5 cm or larger and 24077 for one under 5 cm.
When would 24073 be more appropriate?
24073 describes excision of a deep arm or elbow tumor measuring 5 cm or larger. Use 24079 when the documented procedure is a radical resection, not a limited excision.
Can a biopsy be reported with the resection?
A biopsy code describes diagnostic tissue sampling, while 24079 describes definitive radical removal. The operative documentation should support any separately reported service rather than treating the resection itself as a biopsy.
What documentation supports the size threshold?
Document the tumor's location and size, along with the operative extent and tissues removed. The record should support both a measurement of at least 5 cm and radical resection.
How are multiple procedures and bilateral cases paid?
In the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeons are paid only with supporting documentation; team surgery 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
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