Billing code 26040: Palm contracture releaseMedicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Percutaneous palmar cord release divides contracted fascia in a hand with Dupuytren’s contracture to improve finger extension without an open approach.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 26040 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 26040 covers
The physician releases a contracted palmar fascial cord by dividing it through the skin, typically with a needle or similar percutaneous instrument. Hand surgeons commonly perform this treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture when a cord limits finger extension, in an office or outpatient surgical setting. The technique releases the cord rather than removing a segment of palmar fascia through an open incision.
Choose this code when the documented method is percutaneous; an open release or fasciectomy is a different service. The record should identify the treated hand and cord, the contracture and its effect on motion, and the technique used. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For bilateral procedures reported with modifier 50, payment is 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 26040 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | Unavailable | $324.59 |
| Rest Of Oregon | Unavailable | $301.77 |
How the 26040 rate is calculated
Each of 26040’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 · 26040
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 3.37Practice expense 5.25Malpractice 0.62
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 26040
26040 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 26040
Palm contracture release
| 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) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| 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 · 26040
Palm contracture release
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
26040 without 50 · national facility
$308.62
Palm contracture release
26040-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$462.93
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).
26040 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
26040 vs 26045 vs 26121 vs 26055: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 26045Palmar release
- 26040 describes percutaneous division of a palmar cord; 26045 is used when the release is performed through an open approach.
- 26121Palmar fasciectomy
- 26040 releases a cord percutaneously. 26121 describes an open partial palmar fasciectomy, which removes palmar fascia.
- 26055Trigger finger release
- 26055 treats a stenosing flexor tendon sheath, such as trigger finger. 26040 addresses a contracted palmar fascial cord.
26040 billing questions
How does 26040 differ from 26045?
26040 is for a percutaneous cord release. Use 26045 when the palmar release is performed through an open approach.
When is a percutaneous release appropriate to report?
Report it when the physician divides a contracted palmar fascial cord through the skin, such as for Dupuytren’s contracture limiting finger extension. The documentation should support the percutaneous method.
Can an open fasciectomy be reported as 26040?
No. Removal of palmar fascia through an open approach is a different service; distinguish it from percutaneous division of a cord.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How is a bilateral procedure paid?
CMS pays bilateral procedures reported with modifier 50 at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted 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
Fee sheets
Put 26040 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.
Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →