Billing code 28292: Bunion correctionMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports hallux valgus surgery that corrects the bunion deformity with resection at the base of the proximal phalanx, including sesamoidectomy when performed.
Medicare pays $679.92–$740.70 for 28292 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 28292 covers
This operation corrects hallux valgus using resection at the base of the great toe’s proximal phalanx, often described as a Keller-type procedure. A foot and ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon may perform it for a painful bunion deformity, including cases where the operative plan calls for removing part of the phalanx rather than correcting the deformity with a metatarsal osteotomy or fusion. Sesamoidectomy is included when performed as part of the correction. The service is commonly performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient setting.
Select the code from the procedure documented, not the bunion diagnosis alone. The operative report should establish the phalangeal-base resection and describe the correction performed, laterality, and any sesamoid work. It has a 90-day global period, including 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 the others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons are paid only with 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 28292 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
$679.92 to $740.70
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $740.70 | $496.32 |
| East St. Louis | $694.72 | $471.01 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $679.92 | $457.92 |
| Suburban Chicago | $736.64 | $486.91 |
How the 28292 rate is calculated
Each of 28292’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 · 28292
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 7.25Practice expense 13.02Malpractice 0.78
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 28292
28292 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 28292
Bunion correction
| 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 · 28292
Bunion correction
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
28292 without 50 · national office
$703.09
Bunion correction
28292-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,054.64
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).
28292 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
28292 vs 28295 vs 28296 vs 28298 vs 28297: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 28295Bunion correction
- Use 28295 when the documented hallux valgus correction uses a proximal metatarsal osteotomy. For 28292, the distinguishing work is resection at the proximal phalanx base.
- 28296Bunion correction
- 28296 describes hallux valgus correction using a distal metatarsal osteotomy; 28292 describes correction involving proximal phalanx-base resection.
- 28298Bunion correction
- Both involve the proximal phalanx, but 28298 is an osteotomy. Choose 28292 when the documented correction includes resection at the phalangeal base.
- 28297Bunion correction
- 28297 is used for hallux valgus correction by joint arthrodesis. 28292 represents correction with proximal phalanx-base resection rather than fusion.
28292 billing questions
What operative detail supports 28292?
The report should document hallux valgus correction that includes resection at the base of the proximal phalanx. The diagnosis of bunion or a description of prominence removal alone does not establish this procedure.
Is sesamoidectomy separately reported?
Sesamoidectomy is included when performed as part of this hallux valgus correction.
How does 28292 differ from 28298?
28292 involves resection at the proximal phalanx base. 28298 is the hallux valgus correction code for a proximal phalanx osteotomy.
How is bilateral surgery paid?
When the procedure is performed bilaterally and reported with modifier 50, CMS pays 150%.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid?
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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