Billing code 21050: CondylectomyMedicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports surgical removal of a mandibular condyle at the temporomandibular joint for selected condylar disorders, rather than excision of the joint disc or other jaw bone.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 21050 in Texas.
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 21050 covers
This code represents surgical removal of the mandibular condyle where it meets the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other surgeons treating TMJ disorders may perform it, commonly in a hospital or ambulatory surgical setting. The operative report should identify the side and document the condylar abnormality and the extent of bone removed. Condylectomy is distinct from removing the joint disc or excising a lesion elsewhere in the mandible.
Report the code when the performed service is condylar removal, not merely joint manipulation or disc excision. For bilateral surgery, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. An assistant at surgery is paid only when medical necessity is documented; 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 21050 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | Unavailable | $811.12 |
| Beaumont | Unavailable | $759.84 |
| Brazoria | Unavailable | $783.59 |
| Dallas | Unavailable | $790.09 |
| Fort Worth | Unavailable | $787.24 |
| Galveston | Unavailable | $786.97 |
| Houston | Unavailable | $817.35 |
| Rest Of Texas | Unavailable | $772.34 |
How the 21050 rate is calculated
Each of 21050’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 · 21050
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 11.47Practice expense 10.70Malpractice 1.66
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 21050
21050 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 21050
Condylectomy
| 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) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 21050
Condylectomy
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
21050 without 50 · national facility
$795.94
Condylectomy
21050-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,193.91
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).
21050 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
21050 vs 21060 vs 21240 vs 21070 vs 21025: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 21060TMJ meniscectomy
- Use 21050 for removal of the mandibular condyle; 21060 concerns removal of TMJ cartilage or disc.
- 21240Jaw joint reconstruction
- 21050 describes condylar removal. Code 21240 describes TMJ arthroplasty, including reconstruction work rather than condylectomy alone.
- 21070Coronoidectomy
- 21070 removes the coronoid process, a separate mandibular structure. It is not the code for removal of the condyle at the TMJ.
- 21025Bone excision
- 21025 is for excision of mandibular bone; 21050 specifically identifies removal of the mandibular condyle at the TMJ.
21050 billing questions
How is this different from 21060?
Code 21050 represents removal of the mandibular condyle. Code 21060 addresses removal of TMJ cartilage or disc, a different structure.
Does this code cover removal of the TMJ disc?
No. The code describes condylar bone removal; disc or cartilage removal is associated with 21060.
What documentation supports reporting 21050?
Document the affected side, the condylar condition, and the operative work showing removal of the mandibular condyle.
How is bilateral condylectomy reported?
Use modifier 50 for bilateral surgery; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
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 21050 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 →