Billing code 20824: Thumb replantationMedicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
Reports surgical reattachment of a completely detached thumb after traumatic amputation, typically performed by a hand surgeon using microsurgical techniques.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 20824 in Delaware.
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 20824 covers
Code 20824 represents surgical reattachment of a completely separated thumb after traumatic amputation. In the operating room, a hand, orthopedic, or plastic surgeon restores continuity of the amputated part, typically using microsurgical techniques to reconnect structures needed for viability and function. This is an emergency limb-preservation procedure generally performed in a hospital setting.
Choose this code when the thumb was fully detached, rather than remaining partly attached. The operative report should identify the thumb, document complete separation, and describe the replantation performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For same-session procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 identifies a bilateral procedure, paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires 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.
20824 in Delaware
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Unavailable | $1,816.94 |
How the 20824 rate is calculated
Each of 20824’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 · 20824
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 31.15Practice expense 17.34Malpractice 6.63
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 20824
20824 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 20824
Thumb replantation
| 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 · 20824
Thumb replantation
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
20824 without 50 · national facility
$1,841.06
Thumb replantation
20824-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$2,761.59
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).
20824 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
20824 vs 20827 vs 20816 vs 20822 vs 20808: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 20827Thumb replantation
- Both codes concern thumb replantation. Choose 20824 for a completely detached thumb and 20827 when the thumb remained incompletely attached.
- 20816Digit replantation
- This code is for complete replantation of a digit other than the thumb; 20824 identifies the thumb.
- 20822Digit replantation
- Code 20822 is for incomplete replantation of a digit other than the thumb. Code 20824 is for complete thumb replantation.
- 20808Hand replantation
- Use 20808 when the replantation is at the hand level; 20824 is specific to a completely detached thumb.
20824 billing questions
How is complete thumb replantation distinguished from 20827?
Use 20824 when the thumb was completely separated before replantation. Code 20827 is for replantation when the thumb remains incompletely attached.
Which code applies to a completely amputated finger other than the thumb?
Code 20816 is for complete replantation of a digit other than the thumb. The thumb has its own code, 20824.
Are related postoperative visits separately reported?
Related postoperative care within the 90-day global period is included, as is the day-before preoperative visit.
How is bilateral thumb replantation reported?
Report modifier 50 for a bilateral procedure; CMS pays the service at 150%.
How does CMS pay when other procedures are performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures subject to the standard multiple procedure rule are paid at 50%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon participate?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeon payment requires 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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