Billing code 20802: Arm replantationMedicare rate & RVUs in Rhode Island
Report complete arm replantation when a fully detached arm segment is surgically reattached, with reconstruction to restore blood flow and limb continuity.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 20802 in Rhode Island.
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 20802 covers
This code describes reattachment of a completely separated arm segment after traumatic amputation. The operation may involve restoring blood flow through arterial and venous repair and reconnecting bone, tendons, nerves, and other injured structures as needed. It is typically performed by a microsurgeon, often a plastic or orthopedic surgeon, in an emergency operating room after severe trauma.
Select the code for the arm-level injury, distinguishing it from a forearm, hand, thumb, or digit replantation. The operative report should establish the amputation level, that the part was completely detached, and the reconstructive work performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 applies to bilateral reporting, paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation. 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.
20802 in Rhode Island
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | Unavailable | $2,472.06 |
How the 20802 rate is calculated
Each of 20802’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 · 20802
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work41.55
41.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense23.01
23.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice8.86
8.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
73.4200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$2,452.29
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 20802
20802 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 20802
Arm replantation
| 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 · 20802
Arm replantation
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
20802 without 50 · national facility
$2,452.29
Arm replantation
20802-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$3,678.44
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).
20802 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 20805Forearm replantation
- Use 20805 for complete replantation at the forearm level. Use 20802 when the replantation is at the arm level.
- 20808Hand replantation
- Use 20808 for a completely amputated hand. This code is for replantation at the arm level.
- 20816Digit replantation
- Code 20816 describes incomplete digit replantation. It differs in both body site and the completeness of the amputation.
- 20822Digit replantation
- Code 20822 is for complete digit replantation; 20802 is for complete replantation at the arm level.
20802 billing questions
How do I distinguish 20802 from forearm replantation?
Choose by the injury level: 20802 is for the arm, while 20805 is for the forearm. The operative documentation should identify the anatomical level of the amputation.
Does the code apply to a partially attached arm?
This code is for complete replantation. Document whether the amputated part was fully detached; incomplete amputation may lead to a different code selection.
Are related postoperative visits separately reported?
Related postoperative care during the 90-day global period is included, as is the day-before preoperative visit.
How does CMS treat bilateral reporting?
CMS lists bilateral reporting with modifier 50 and payment at 150%. The operative record should support treatment of both sides.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted under the CMS rules for this code.
What happens when other procedures are performed in the same session?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50% when performed in the same session.
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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