CPT 20600
Global 000 ActiveDrain/inj joint/bursa w/o us
CPT 20600 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 20600 (Drain/inj joint/bursa w/o us) is classified under Surgery (Musculoskeletal) with a global period indicator of 000. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 0.64, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 0.96, and a malpractice RVU of 0.08, a total non-facility RVU of 1.68 and facility RVU of 0.94. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $57.57, though rates vary from $50.3 to $71.4 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 20600, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 20600 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
Endoscopic or minor procedure with related preoperative and postoperative work performed on the same day
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 6 units of 20600 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 20600
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 0.64 | 0.64 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 0.96 | 0.22 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Total RVU | 1.68 | 0.94 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 20600
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $61.53 | $32.29 | $58.32 - $71.4 | 29 |
| Florida | $58.75 | $33.95 | $56.05 - $61.51 | 3 |
| Georgia | $55.19 | $31.62 | $53.16 - $57.23 | 2 |
| Illinois | $57.54 | $33.66 | $54.83 - $59.88 | 4 |
| Michigan | $55.25 | $32.04 | $53.67 - $56.82 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $53 | $29.94 | $53 - $53 | 1 |
| New York | $61.79 | $34.22 | $53.72 - $65.83 | 5 |
| Ohio | $53.35 | $30.78 | $53.35 - $53.35 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $55.84 | $31.63 | $53.34 - $58.33 | 2 |
| Texas | $55.54 | $31.21 | $53.04 - $57.71 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 20600
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 20600 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00400 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 01380 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0232T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0481T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0903T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0904T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 20600
What does CPT code 20600 mean? +
CPT code 20600 represents: Drain/inj joint/bursa w/o us. It's in the Surgery (Musculoskeletal) category with a global period of 000.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 20600? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 20600 is $57.57. Rates range from $50.3 to $71.4 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 20600? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 20600? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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