Billing code 20983: Bone ablationMedicare rate & RVUs in Utah
Report percutaneous cryoablation when an image-guided probe freezes one or more bone tumors, such as an osteoid osteoma or painful bone metastasis.
Medicare pays $4,623.85 for 20983 in the office in Utah (Utah). Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 20983 covers
Percutaneous cryoablation uses a probe inserted through the skin to freeze and destroy one or more bone tumors. An interventional radiologist or orthopedic oncologist typically performs the procedure in a hospital or other image-guided procedural setting, often using CT to position and monitor the probe. Treatment may target a painful primary bone lesion or a bone metastasis. Imaging guidance is included in the service.
Choose this code for cryoablation; radiofrequency ablation of bone tumors is reported with 20982. Document the tumor site and number, the cryoablation method, probe placement, imaging guidance, and the treatment performed. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. When reported bilaterally with modifier 50, CMS pays at 150%. 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.
20983 in Utah
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | $4,623.85 | $296.74 |
How the 20983 rate is calculated
Each of 20983’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 · 20983
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 6.71Practice expense 139.34Malpractice 0.83
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 20983
The CMS indicators that decide how 20983 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 20983
Bone ablation
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
20983 without 50 · national office
$4,905.92
Bone ablation
20983-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$7,358.88
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).
20983 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
20983 vs 20982 vs 20225 vs 20999: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 20982Bone ablation
- Both codes cover percutaneous ablation of bone tumors with imaging guidance included. Select 20983 for cryoablation and 20982 for radiofrequency ablation.
- 20225Bone biopsy
- This code represents a deep bone needle biopsy to obtain tissue; 20983 destroys a tumor by freezing it.
- 20999Unlisted px muscskel general
- 20999 is for a musculoskeletal procedure without a specific code. Use 20983 when the bone tumor is treated by percutaneous cryoablation.
20983 billing questions
How is 20983 different from 20982?
20983 is for percutaneous cryoablation of bone tumors. Use 20982 for the radiofrequency method.
Is imaging guidance separately reported with 20983?
Imaging guidance is included in 20983. Do not separately report guidance for positioning and monitoring the ablation probe as part of this service.
What documentation supports reporting 20983?
Record the bone tumor site and number, the cryoablation technique, probe placement, imaging guidance, and the treatment performed.
How does CMS pay when other procedures are performed in the same session?
CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and other procedures at 50% under the standard multiple procedure reduction.
Can 20983 be reported bilaterally, and how is it paid?
For a bilateral procedure, report modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral service at 150%.
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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