Billing code 20701: Device removalMedicare rate & RVUs in Massachusetts
Removal of a previously placed deep drug-delivery device, such as a subfascial device, reported with the primary operative procedure.
Medicare pays $66.13–$70.81 for 20701 in the office in Massachusetts, from Rest Of Massachusetts to Metropolitan Boston. 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 20701 covers
This code describes operative removal of a drug-delivery device from a deep location, such as beneath the fascia. Orthopedic surgeons commonly encounter these devices during staged treatment of bone or joint infection, including removal of a temporary local antibiotic-delivery device after the infection has been treated. The procedure is performed in an operating room or another surgical setting where the device can be exposed and removed.
Report this add-on code with the primary procedure performed at the same operative encounter; documentation should identify the device, its deep anatomic location, and the removal performed. The code is paid within the primary procedure’s global period. It distinguishes deep removal from removal of a device located in the intramedullary canal or intra-articular space. Documentation of location supports choosing the correct code in this removal series.
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 20701 pays more and less in Massachusetts
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Boston | $70.81 | $57.65 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $66.13 | $54.53 |
How the 20701 rate is calculated
Each of 20701’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 · 20701
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.10
1.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.66
0.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.9700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$65.80
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 20701
The CMS indicators that decide how 20701 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 20701
Device removal
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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. |
20701 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 20700Drug-delivery device
- 20700 covers manual preparation and insertion of a deep drug-delivery device; 20701 covers its removal.
- 20703Device removal
- Both codes describe device removal, but 20703 is for an intramedullary location rather than a deep location.
- 20705Device removal
- 20705 is for removal from an intra-articular location; use 20701 for removal from a deep location.
20701 billing questions
How is deep removal distinguished from intramedullary or intra-articular removal?
Use the device’s documented location: this code is for a deep location, such as subfascial. The neighboring removal codes identify intramedullary and intra-articular locations.
Can 20701 be reported by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary procedure.
How does the global-period rule affect payment?
CMS pays this add-on within the primary procedure’s global period. It supplements the primary operative service rather than standing alone.
What documentation supports reporting 20701?
Document the drug-delivery device, its deep location, and the operative removal. The anatomic location distinguishes this code from removal of an intramedullary or intra-articular device.
Is 20701 used for placing a deep drug-delivery device?
No. This code is for removal; 20700 is the related code for manual preparation and insertion of a deep drug-delivery device.
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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