CPT code 25830: DRUJ arthrodesis2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Massachusetts
Reports fusion of the distal radioulnar joint with removal of an ulnar segment, commonly used to treat painful distal radioulnar joint disease.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 25830 in Massachusetts.
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 25830 covers
This procedure fuses the distal radioulnar joint and removes a segment of the ulna, creating a proximal space that permits forearm rotation while stabilizing the joint. It is commonly used for painful distal radioulnar joint arthritis or dysfunction, including problems following trauma. An orthopedic or hand surgeon typically performs the operation in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. The procedure is also known as the Sauvé-Kapandji operation.
Report the code when the operative record supports both distal radioulnar joint fusion and segmental ulnar resection; it is distinct from fusion of the wrist joint itself. Documentation should identify the treated joint, the reason for surgery, and the fusion and resection performed. The 90-day global period includes 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 others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; 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 25830 pays more and less in Massachusetts
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Boston | Unavailable | $1,083.59 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | Unavailable | $991.18 |
How the 25830 rate is calculated
Each of 25830’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 · 25830
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work10.61
10.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense16.37
16.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.08
2.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
29.0600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$970.63
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 25830
25830 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 25830
DRUJ arthrodesis
| 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 · 25830
DRUJ arthrodesis
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
25830 without 50 · national facility
$970.63
DRUJ arthrodesis
25830-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,455.95
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).
25830 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 25800Wrist fusion
- Use 25800 for complete fusion of the wrist without graft. Code 25830 describes distal radioulnar joint fusion with segmental resection of the ulna.
- 25820Wrist fusion
- Code 25820 describes limited wrist fusion without bone graft. Code 25830 addresses the distal radioulnar joint and includes ulnar segment resection.
- 25825Wrist fusion
- Code 25825 is wrist fusion using autograft. Choose 25830 when the operation fuses the distal radioulnar joint and includes segmental ulnar resection.
25830 billing questions
How is this different from a wrist arthrodesis code?
This code is for fusion of the distal radioulnar joint with segmental ulnar resection. Wrist arthrodesis codes describe fusion of the wrist joint, with the code choice depending on the extent and graft technique.
Is the ulnar segment removal included?
Yes. The segmental resection is part of the procedure represented by this code; it is not a separate service within this operative technique.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
The operative report should identify the distal radioulnar joint as the fused joint and describe the segmental ulnar resection, along with the indication for surgery.
How is bilateral surgery reported?
CMS lists this as a bilateral procedure. Modifier 50 is paid at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment may be made. Co-surgeons are paid only when supporting documentation is provided; 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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