Billing code 23073: Shoulder tumor excisionMedicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Reports surgical removal of a deep soft-tissue tumor in the shoulder region measuring at least 5 cm, rather than a superficial or radical resection.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 23073 in Oregon.
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 23073 covers
Code 23073 describes operative removal of a soft-tissue tumor in the shoulder region when the lesion lies beneath the superficial fascia, such as within muscle, and measures at least 5 cm. Orthopedic surgeons and orthopedic oncologists commonly perform the procedure in an operating room; it may also be performed in an appropriately equipped outpatient surgical setting. The code concerns the tumor’s location and depth, not removal from the shoulder joint itself.
Select this code when the operative report supports the shoulder-region site, deep tissue plane, lesion size, and excision performed. Distinguish a deep lesion under 5 cm from one at least 5 cm, and distinguish excision from radical resection. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services may be paid; 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 23073 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | Unavailable | $672.60 |
| Rest Of Oregon | Unavailable | $635.14 |
How the 23073 rate is calculated
Each of 23073’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 · 23073
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work9.88
9.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.57
7.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.27
2.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
19.7200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$658.67
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 23073
23073 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 23073
Shoulder tumor excision
| 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) | 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 · 23073
Shoulder tumor excision
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
23073 without 50 · national facility
$658.67
Shoulder tumor excision
23073-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$988.01
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).
23073 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 23076Shoulder tumor excision
- Both involve deep shoulder-region tumor excision; the size distinction is under 5 cm for 23076 versus at least 5 cm for 23073.
- 23071Shoulder mass excision
- 23071 applies to a subcutaneous lesion measuring 3 cm or larger. Code 23073 requires a deep lesion measuring at least 5 cm.
- 23078Shoulder tumor resection
- 23078 describes radical resection of a shoulder-region tumor at least 5 cm. Code 23073 describes excision, not radical resection.
- 23066Shoulder biopsy
- 23066 is for biopsy of deep shoulder-region tissue; 23073 is for excision of a deep tumor at least 5 cm.
23073 billing questions
How does 23073 differ from 23076?
Both describe removal of a deep shoulder-region soft-tissue tumor. Use 23073 for a lesion measuring at least 5 cm and 23076 for one under 5 cm.
How does 23073 differ from 23071?
23073 is for a deep lesion measuring at least 5 cm. Code 23071 addresses a subcutaneous shoulder-region lesion measuring 3 cm or larger.
When is radical resection coded instead?
Use 23077 or 23078 when the surgeon performs a radical resection, rather than the excision represented by 23073. The radical-resection code selection also depends on whether the tumor is under 5 cm or at least 5 cm.
What documentation supports reporting 23073?
The operative report should identify the shoulder-region site, show that the tumor was deep to the superficial fascia, document its size as at least 5 cm, and describe the removal performed.
Can modifier 50 be used for tumors on both shoulders?
CMS lists this as a bilateral procedure. When bilateral reporting is appropriate, modifier 50 is paid at 150% under the CMS rule.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
CMS permits payment for an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are 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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