CPT 28225
Global 090 ActiveRelease of foot tendon
CPT 28225 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 28225 (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 3.69, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 8.21, and a malpractice RVU of 0.39, a total non-facility RVU of 12.29 and facility RVU of 7.52. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $423.11, though rates vary from $365.51 to $539.22 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 28225, 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 28225 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 28225 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 28225
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 3.69 | 3.69 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 8.21 | 3.44 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.39 | 0.39 |
| Total RVU | 12.29 | 7.52 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 28225
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 | $459.21 | $270.69 | $432.87 - $539.22 | 29 |
| Florida | $423.74 | $263.89 | $404.98 - $441.66 | 3 |
| Georgia | $400.63 | $248.64 | $383.38 - $417.87 | 2 |
| Illinois | $413.54 | $259.6 | $393.97 - $429.6 | 4 |
| Michigan | $399.08 | $249.48 | $388.32 - $409.84 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $387.42 | $238.77 | $387.42 - $387.42 | 1 |
| New York | $452.72 | $274.98 | $392.92 - $481.38 | 5 |
| Ohio | $386.74 | $241.28 | $386.74 - $386.74 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $406.88 | $250.83 | $387.29 - $426.47 | 2 |
| Texas | $406 | $249.15 | $384.89 - $425.16 | 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 28225
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 28225 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 28225
What does CPT code 28225 mean? +
CPT code 28225 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 28225? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 28225 is $423.11. Rates range from $365.51 to $539.22 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 28225? +
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 28225? +
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 19, 2026.
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