CPT code 24800: Elbow fusion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Georgia
Elbow fusion using bone taken locally during the operation, reported for selected salvage cases requiring a stable, fixed elbow.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 24800 in Georgia.
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 24800 covers
An orthopedic surgeon fuses the elbow by preparing the joint surfaces and stabilizing the bones in a functional position, using bone obtained locally during the operation. This is a reconstructive or salvage option when the treatment plan calls for a permanently fixed elbow rather than retained joint motion. The procedure is generally performed in an operating room, with the operative report identifying the fusion technique, fixation, and local graft use.
Choose this code when the documented technique uses local bone graft; distinguish it from 24802 when the procedure uses the autogenous graft approach described by that code. The 90-day global period includes 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 the 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.
Where 24800 pays more and less in Georgia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Unavailable | $803.22 |
| Rest Of Georgia | Unavailable | $760.44 |
How the 24800 rate is calculated
Each of 24800’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 · 24800
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work11.12
11.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.89
9.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.37
2.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
23.3800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$780.91
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 24800
24800 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 24800
Elbow fusion
| 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 · 24800
Elbow fusion
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
24800 without 50 · national facility
$780.91
Elbow fusion
24800-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,171.37
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).
24800 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 24802Elbow fusion
- Both describe elbow arthrodesis. Select based on the graft technique documented: local bone graft for 24800 versus the autogenous graft approach represented by 24802.
- 24360Elbow arthroplasty
- This is an elbow arthroplasty approach, not fusion. It is considered when the operative plan reconstructs the joint rather than permanently fixing it.
- 24363Elbow arthroplasty
- This code describes elbow arthroplasty with an implant. Use 24800 for a fusion using local bone graft, not an implant-based joint replacement.
24800 billing questions
How is 24800 distinguished from 24802?
Use 24800 when the operative technique uses local bone graft. Code 24802 describes the elbow fusion approach with autogenous bone graft; the operative report should identify the graft technique.
Can the local graft be reported separately?
The local graft is part of the service represented by 24800. The documentation should describe its use as part of the fusion rather than treating it as a separate service.
What documentation supports 24800?
The operative report should establish that an elbow arthrodesis was performed and identify the use of local bone graft, along with the fixation and operative technique.
How does the global period affect postoperative billing?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How is bilateral elbow fusion paid?
When reported bilaterally with modifier 50, CMS pays 24800 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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