Billing code 26471: Finger tenodesisMedicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
Reports fixation of a finger flexor tendon at the proximal interphalangeal joint to stabilize or control finger position during reconstructive hand surgery.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 26471 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 26471 covers
This procedure anchors a finger flexor tendon at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint to limit or redirect its pull and help control finger position. A hand, orthopedic, or plastic surgeon typically performs it as an operative treatment for a finger deformity or instability when tendon fixation is part of the reconstructive plan. The operative report should identify the finger, the flexor tendon, the PIP-level work, and the fixation performed.
Report this code when the surgeon performs flexor tendon tenodesis at the PIP joint, not a tendon release, length adjustment, or transfer. The major-surgery global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. 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.
26471 in Delaware
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Unavailable | $636.00 |
How the 26471 rate is calculated
Each of 26471’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 · 26471
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.75
5.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense12.45
12.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.07
1.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
19.2700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$643.64
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 26471
26471 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 26471
Finger tenodesis
| 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) | 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. |
| 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 · 26471
Finger tenodesis
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
26471 without 51 · national facility
$643.64
Finger tenodesis
26471-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$321.82
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%).
26471 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 26474Tendon tenodesis
- Both are PIP-level finger tendon tenodeses. Select 26471 for the flexor tendon and 26474 for the extensor tendon.
- 26455Tendon incision
- 26455 is a finger flexor tenotomy, which cuts the tendon; 26471 fixes the flexor tendon at the PIP joint.
- 26476Tendon lengthening
- 26476 represents tendon lengthening. Use it when length is surgically adjusted rather than when the flexor tendon is fixed at the PIP joint.
26471 billing questions
How is this different from code 26474?
This code is for flexor tendon tenodesis at the PIP joint; 26474 is the corresponding extensor tendon procedure. Follow the tendon treated in the operative report.
Can a flexor tenotomy be reported instead?
No. Code 26455 describes cutting a finger flexor tendon, while this code describes fixing the tendon at the PIP joint. Choose based on the procedure actually performed.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
Document the finger and flexor tendon treated, the PIP-joint location, the tendon fixation, and the condition prompting the reconstruction.
Does modifier 50 apply when both hands are treated?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code. Modifier 50 should not be used.
How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect payment?
When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. The 90-day global period includes related postoperative care.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are 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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