Billing code 29907: Subtalar fusionMedicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis is reported when a surgeon prepares and fuses the subtalar joint through arthroscopic access.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 29907 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 29907 covers
An orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon uses arthroscopic portals to access the subtalar joint, prepare the joint surfaces for fusion, and stabilize the joint. The operation treats conditions for which subtalar fusion is indicated, such as painful arthritis or deformity involving the joint. It is generally performed in a hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center; CMS recorded facility services for this code in 2024.
Report this code when the operative work includes arthroscopically performed subtalar arthrodesis, not merely diagnostic inspection or another subtalar arthroscopy procedure. The operative report should identify the joint and side, describe arthroscopic joint preparation and fusion, and document fixation and any graft used. The code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of 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 payment may be available; 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 29907 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 | $830.80 |
| Beaumont | Unavailable | $783.51 |
| Brazoria | Unavailable | $801.53 |
| Dallas | Unavailable | $810.21 |
| Fort Worth | Unavailable | $807.92 |
| Galveston | Unavailable | $806.26 |
| Houston | Unavailable | $852.57 |
| Rest Of Texas | Unavailable | $794.52 |
How the 29907 rate is calculated
Each of 29907’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 · 29907
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 11.88Practice expense 10.14Malpractice 2.53
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 29907
29907 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 29907
Subtalar fusion
| 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 · 29907
Subtalar fusion
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
29907 without 50 · national facility
$819.99
Subtalar fusion
29907-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,229.99
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).
29907 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
29907 vs 28725 vs 29904 vs 29905 vs 29906: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 28725Subtalar fusion
- Choose 29907 for arthroscopically performed subtalar fusion. Code 28725 represents subtalar arthrodesis without the arthroscopic approach.
- 29904Subtalar arthroscopy
- 29904 describes subtalar arthroscopy with removal of a loose body or foreign body; 29907 is for arthroscopic subtalar fusion.
- 29905Subtalar arthroscopy
- 29905 represents subtalar arthroscopy with excision. Use 29907 when the documented arthroscopic work includes subtalar arthrodesis.
- 29906Subtalar arthroscopy
- 29906 describes subtalar arthroscopy with debridement, not fusion. The documented operative objective distinguishes it from 29907.
29907 billing questions
When should 29907 be selected instead of another subtalar arthroscopy code?
Use 29907 when the arthroscopic procedure includes fusion of the subtalar joint. Codes for removal of a loose body, excision, or debridement describe different operative work.
Is subtalar fusion reported with modifier 50 when both sides are treated?
CMS lists this as a bilateral procedure; bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document the work performed on each side.
How does the multiple-procedure rule affect payment?
When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are paid at 50%.
What documentation supports reporting 29907?
The operative report should establish arthroscopic access, subtalar joint preparation for fusion, and the fusion performed. Include laterality and describe fixation and any graft used.
Can an assistant-at-surgery or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available. CMS does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery for this code.
What postoperative care is included in the global period?
The 90-day global period 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
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