Billing code 26508: Thumb contracture releaseMedicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
Surgical release of a fixed thumb contracture, reported when shortened soft tissue restricts thumb position or motion and requires operative correction.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 26508 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 26508 covers
This service surgically releases shortened tissue that holds the thumb in a restricted position, such as a scar-related limitation of thumb opening or opposition. It is typically performed by a hand, orthopedic, or plastic surgeon when the restriction causes functional impairment and needs operative correction. The operative report should identify the affected thumb, the contracture and its effect on motion or function, and the tissue released.
Report the code for the thumb contracture release itself, distinguishing it from a finger or knuckle contracture release and from a tendon 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 other procedures at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. 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.
26508 in Delaware
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Unavailable | $633.93 |
How the 26508 rate is calculated
Each of 26508’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 · 26508
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 6.03Practice expense 12.13Malpractice 1.04
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 26508
26508 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 26508
Thumb contracture release
| 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) | 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 · 26508
Thumb contracture release
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
26508 without 50 · national facility
$641.30
Thumb contracture release
26508-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$961.95
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).
26508 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
26508 vs 26520 vs 26525 vs 26510: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 26520Knuckle release
- Choose 26508 for the thumb. Choose 26520 when the contracture being released is at a knuckle joint.
- 26525Contracture release
- Choose 26508 for a thumb contracture; 26525 addresses a finger contracture.
- 26510Tendon transfer
- 26508 releases contracted tissue. 26510 is for a thumb tendon transfer, which reroutes a tendon rather than releasing the contracture.
26508 billing questions
How does this differ from 26520 or 26525?
Use 26508 for a contracture of the thumb. Codes 26520 and 26525 address contractures at a knuckle joint or in a finger, respectively.
Is this the right code for a thumb tendon transfer?
No. This code represents release of contracted tissue; 26510 describes a thumb tendon transfer, which changes tendon mechanics rather than releasing the contracture.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
Document the thumb contracture, its effect on motion or function, the operative release performed, and the side treated.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
For bilateral treatment, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when the record documents medical necessity. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?
CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and other procedures at 50% under the standard multiple procedure reduction.
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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