CPT code 26530: Knuckle arthroplasty2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Massachusetts
Report this procedure for arthroplasty of a metacarpophalangeal joint when the surgeon reshapes or removes damaged joint surfaces without prosthetic replacement.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 26530 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 26530 covers
This code covers arthroplasty of a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, the knuckle connecting a finger or thumb to the hand. A hand surgeon may reshape or remove damaged joint surfaces and address the joint’s alignment or motion. Typical clinical situations include painful arthritis or joint deformity affecting MCP function. The prosthetic-replacement version is a separate code, so the operative report should make clear whether an implant was used.
Report the service for each MCP joint treated, supported by documentation of the specific joint, the indication, and the work performed. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the following 90 days. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare may pay for an assistant at surgery; 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 26530 pays more and less in Massachusetts
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Boston | Unavailable | $561.29 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | Unavailable | $517.47 |
How the 26530 rate is calculated
Each of 26530’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 · 26530
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work6.71
6.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.27
7.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.28
1.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
15.2600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$509.70
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 26530
26530 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 26530
Knuckle arthroplasty
| 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) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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 · 26530
Knuckle arthroplasty
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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
26530 without 51 · national facility
$509.70
Knuckle arthroplasty
26530-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$254.85
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
26530 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 26531Knuckle arthroplasty
- Both address MCP joint arthroplasty, but 26531 is for prosthetic replacement. Use 26530 when the procedure does not include a prosthetic replacement.
- 26535Finger joint surgery
- This code is for arthroplasty of an interphalangeal joint, between finger bones. Code 26530 is for the MCP knuckle joint.
- 26520Knuckle release
- This code describes release of an MCP contracture. It is not a substitute for arthroplasty when the surgeon operates on the joint surfaces.
26530 billing questions
When should 26530 be reported instead of 26531?
Use 26530 for MCP joint arthroplasty without prosthetic replacement. When the surgeon uses a prosthetic replacement, the related code is 26531.
How is the number of services determined?
The code is reported for each MCP joint treated. The operative report should identify the specific joint or joints and the procedure performed.
Can modifier 50 be used when both hands are treated?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code. Document the joints treated and follow applicable claim reporting instructions for the number of services.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the 90 days after surgery.
Can an assistant surgeon be paid for this procedure?
CMS indicates that assistant-at-surgery payment may be made. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
How does the multiple-procedure rule affect payment?
For procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.
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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