CPT 28220
Global 090 ActiveRelease of foot tendon
CPT 28220 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 28220 (Release of foot tendon) is classified under Surgery (Musculoskeletal) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 4.55, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 8.38, and a malpractice RVU of 0.44, a total non-facility RVU of 13.37 and facility RVU of 8.64. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $459.77, though rates vary from $399.98 to $580.18 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 28220, 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 28220 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
90-day global period (major surgery: 1 day pre-op + procedure + 90 days post-op)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 28220 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 28220
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 4.55 | 4.55 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 8.38 | 3.65 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.44 | 0.44 |
| Total RVU | 13.37 | 8.64 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 28220
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 | $496.59 | $309.65 | $469.2 - $580.18 | 29 |
| Florida | $461.42 | $302.9 | $441.65 - $480.52 | 3 |
| Georgia | $436.81 | $286.09 | $419.16 - $454.46 | 2 |
| Illinois | $451.04 | $298.39 | $430.49 - $468.07 | 4 |
| Michigan | $435.49 | $287.14 | $424.11 - $446.86 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $422.51 | $275.11 | $422.51 - $422.51 | 1 |
| New York | $491.41 | $315.16 | $428.21 - $521.79 | 5 |
| Ohio | $422.34 | $278.09 | $422.34 - $422.34 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $443.22 | $288.47 | $422.81 - $463.62 | 2 |
| Texas | $442.02 | $286.49 | $420.34 - $461.43 | 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 28220
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 28220 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01470 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 01995 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0490T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 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 |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 28220
What does CPT code 28220 mean? +
CPT code 28220 represents: Release of foot tendon. It's in the Surgery (Musculoskeletal) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 28220? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 28220 is $459.77. Rates range from $399.98 to $580.18 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 28220? +
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 28220? +
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 April 17, 2026.
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