CPT code 27479: Growth arrest2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports surgical arrest of the distal tibial growth plate to guide leg growth, commonly for a planned correction of limb-length difference.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 27479 in Illinois.
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 27479 covers
An orthopedic surgeon uses this procedure to stop growth at the distal tibial physis, near the ankle. It may be selected as part of a growth-guidance plan for a child or adolescent with a leg-length difference, when remaining growth is expected to help bring limb lengths closer. The code identifies the distal tibia; growth arrest at another physis or at multiple sites is coded according to the site and extent performed.
Report the procedure when the operative record supports arrest of the distal tibial physis, with the side, site, and method documented. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When bilateral procedures are performed, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. For multiple procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; 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.
Where 27479 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Unavailable | $972.12 |
| East St. Louis | Unavailable | $915.47 |
| Rest Of Illinois | Unavailable | $872.04 |
| Suburban Chicago | Unavailable | $931.68 |
How the 27479 rate is calculated
Each of 27479’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 · 27479
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work12.83
12.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.87
9.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.73
2.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
25.4300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$849.38
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 27479
27479 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 27479
Growth arrest
| 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) | 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 · 27479
Growth arrest
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
27479 without 50 · national facility
$849.38
Growth arrest
27479-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,274.07
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).
27479 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 27475Growth arrest
- Use 27475 for growth arrest at the distal femur. This code identifies the distal tibial physis.
- 27477Growth arrest surgery
- Use 27477 for growth arrest at the proximal tibia; this code is for the distal tibia near the ankle.
- 27485Guided growth
- 27485 identifies growth arrest involving the distal femur and proximal tibia together, rather than the distal tibia alone.
- 27466Femur lengthening
- 27466 reports femoral lengthening, not arrest of a growth plate. The procedures represent different approaches to managing selected limb-length differences.
27479 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 27475 or 27477?
This code is for arrest of the distal tibial physis. Codes 27475 and 27477 identify the distal femur and proximal tibia, respectively.
What documentation supports reporting this procedure?
The operative record should identify the distal tibial growth plate, laterality, and the growth-arrest procedure performed. The clinical record should support the growth-guidance plan, including the limb-length concern when applicable.
Does the global period include related postoperative care?
Yes. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How is a bilateral procedure handled?
When the procedure is performed bilaterally, modifier 50 applies and CMS pays at 150%.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted under the CMS rules for this code.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%.
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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