Billing code 21501: Deep abscess drainageMedicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
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.
Medicare pays $511.24 for 21501 in the office in Delaware (Delaware). Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 21501 covers
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.
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 in Delaware
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $511.24 | $323.47 |
How the 21501 rate is calculated
Each of 21501’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 · 21501
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 3.88Practice expense 10.79Malpractice 0.83
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 21501
21501 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 21501
Deep abscess drainage
| 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) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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 · 21501
Deep abscess drainage
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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
21501 without 51 · national office
$517.71
Deep abscess drainage
21501-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$258.86
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
21501 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
21501 vs 21502 vs 21510 vs 21550: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 21502Deep abscess drainage
- 21501 covers deep soft-tissue drainage without rib resection. Use 21502 when the operative work includes the rib-related resection described by that code.
- 21510Thoracic I&D
- 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.
- 21550Soft-tissue biopsy
- 21550 reports a biopsy of neck or chest tissue for diagnosis. 21501 reports operative drainage of a deep collection, not tissue sampling alone.
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 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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