Incision and drainage of a simple finger abscess, such as a felon, performed to evacuate purulent material and relieve pressure.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare: $375.09
Total RVUs: 11.23
Global, days: 10
Region: Hand

Drawn from CMSAAPCEatonhandLinkedin

Documentation requirements

What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

Identify the specific finger and laterality (e.g., right index finger, left small finger) — use digit-level HCPCS modifiers F1–F9 when required by payer.
Name the anatomical compartment involved (e.g., volar pulp space, felon) to justify 26010 over 10060.
Describe the incision technique, depth of dissection, and volume/character of drainage (purulent, sanguineous, etc.).
Document wound care performed at the time of service (packing, irrigation, closure or open wound management).
Record the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code supporting the abscess — L03.0x series for finger cellulitis/abscess is the standard anchor.
Note whether bone, tendon sheath, or joint involvement was ruled out intraoperatively; absence of complication supports the simple code.

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

CPT 26010 covers simple incision and drainage of a finger abscess — the classic example is a felon (pulp space infection of the fingertip). It sits in the musculoskeletal section of CPT, not the integumentary section, which is the first coding fork you'll hit. If you drain a cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess on the dorsal finger skin without entering a closed space, 10060 is the better fit. 26010 applies when the abscess involves the deeper anatomical compartments of the finger, such as the pulp space.

The 10-day global period means routine follow-up through post-op day 10 is bundled. If the patient returns within that window for wound checks, packing changes, or reassessment directly tied to the drainage, don't bill a separate E/M unless a new, unrelated problem is addressed — and if so, append modifier 24. A separate E/M on the day of surgery for a new problem needs modifier 25 on the E/M.

The code tops out at simple. If the abscess requires extensive dissection, involvement of multiple compartments, or bone involvement, escalate to 26011 (complicated finger abscess drainage). Document what makes the case simple or complicated — operative notes that omit that distinction are the primary audit flag for this code pair.

RVU & reimbursement

Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU	1.55
Practice expense RVU	9.4
Malpractice RVU	0.28
Total RVU	11.23
Medicare national rate	$375.09
Global period	10 days

Payment by site of service

Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.

Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026

Setting	Medicare rate (national)
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office	$375.09
HOPD (APC 5051) Hospital outpatient department	$204.98
ASC (PI P2) Ambulatory surgical center (freestanding)	$110.23

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 26010 get rejected.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓

Code billed as 26010 when clinical documentation describes only a superficial skin abscess, prompting payer downcoding to 10060.
Missing laterality or digit-level modifier required by the payer, returned as incomplete claim.
Separate E/M billed same-day without modifier 25, bundled into the procedure payment.
ICD-10-CM diagnosis code absent or mismatched — claim returned as incomplete under SSA Section 1833(e).
26011 submitted when documentation supports only simple drainage, or 26010 submitted when note describes complicated multi-compartment dissection — mismatched complexity triggers edit or audit.

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 6 cited references ↓

01When do I use 26010 instead of 10060 for a finger abscess?

Use 26010 when the abscess involves a defined anatomical compartment of the finger — the classic case is a felon of the pulp space. Use 10060 when you're draining a superficial cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess on the skin of the finger without entering a closed space. The operative note must support whichever you bill.

02When does a finger abscess drainage cross to 26011?

26011 is for complicated drainage — multiple compartments, extensive dissection, or drainage requiring more than a single straightforward incision. If your note describes breaking up loculations, multiple incisions, or involvement beyond the primary closed space, 26011 is correct. Don't bill 26010 and hope complexity isn't scrutinized.

03Can I bill an E/M on the same day as 26010?

Yes, if the E/M addresses a separate and distinct problem from the abscess. Append modifier 25 to the E/M. If the E/M was solely for evaluating the abscess and deciding to drain it, it's bundled — don't bill it separately.

04What modifiers does this code need for laterality?

Append LT or RT for left or right hand. Many payers — and high-volume hand surgery settings — also require digit-level HCPCS modifiers (F1–F9). Check your payer's claim edit requirements; missing laterality is a common clean-claim failure for this code.

05What is the global period for 26010, and what does it cover?

26010 carries a 10-day global period. Routine post-op wound checks, packing changes, and follow-up for the drained abscess within 10 days are bundled. A new, unrelated problem seen in that window can be billed with an E/M using modifier 24.

06Is 26010 ever performed bilaterally, and how do I bill that?

Bilateral simultaneous drainage of finger abscesses is uncommon but can occur. If performed, append modifier 50 for bilateral, or bill with LT and RT on separate lines per payer preference. Document both fingers, both compartments, and both incisions explicitly.

Sources & references

Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.

Mira AI Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures the specific finger involved, anatomical compartment drained (e.g., volar pulp space consistent with felon), incision approach, depth of dissection, drainage character, and whether tendon sheath or bone involvement was ruled out. That documentation locks in 26010 over 10060 and defends against simple-versus-complicated downcoding on audit.

See how Mira captures CPT 26010 documentation