Billing code 27520: Patella fractureMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports definitive closed, nonmanipulative care of a patellar fracture, typically when a stable kneecap fracture is managed without operative exposure or reduction.
Medicare pays $359.42–$398.08 for 27520 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Chicago. 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 27520 covers
This code describes definitive closed care of a fractured patella without manipulating the fracture to change its position. It is generally used when the clinician selects nonoperative management, such as immobilization and follow-up for a fracture that can be treated without reduction. Orthopedic surgeons and other physicians who assume responsibility for the fracture treatment may provide this care in an office, emergency department, or other setting. The code is specific to the kneecap; a fracture of the tibial plateau or distal femur is coded from a different fracture family.
Report 27520 when the record supports closed fracture treatment and confirms that manipulation was not performed. Document the patellar fracture, treatment plan, and management provided; use 27522 when closed treatment includes manipulation, and 27524 for open treatment. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 27520 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.
4 payment localities
$359.42 to $398.08
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $398.08 | $339.00 |
| East St. Louis | $370.37 | $316.28 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $359.42 | $305.75 |
| Suburban Chicago | $392.93 | $332.56 |
How the 27520 rate is calculated
Each of 27520’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 · 27520
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.96Practice expense 7.50Malpractice 0.61
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 27520
27520 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 27520
Patella fracture
| 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) | 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 · 27520
Patella fracture
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
27520 without 50 · national office
$369.75
Patella fracture
27520-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$554.63
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).
27520 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
27520 vs 27524 vs 27530: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
27520 billing questions
When should 27520 be chosen over 27522?
Use 27520 for closed patellar fracture treatment without manipulation. Use 27522 when the clinician manipulates the fracture during closed treatment.
How does 27520 differ from 27524?
27520 describes closed treatment without manipulation. 27524 is used for open treatment of the patellar fracture.
Are related follow-up visits included?
Yes. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
What documentation supports reporting 27520?
Document the patellar fracture, the closed treatment plan, and that manipulation was not performed. The record should support that the clinician assumed responsibility for definitive fracture care.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
For bilateral treatment, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
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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