Percutaneous tenotomy of a single finger digit — surgical division of a tendon through a minimally invasive subcutaneous approach to release contracture or deformity.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare: $243.49
Work RVU: 2.84
Global, days: 90
Region: Hand

Drawn from CMSHandsurgeryGenhealthFastrvuAAPC

Documentation requirements

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

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

Specify the digit(s) treated by name and number (e.g., right long finger, F3) — vague documentation such as 'finger tenotomy performed' is an audit flag.
Confirm percutaneous/subcutaneous approach in the operative note; distinguish from open tenotomy.
Document the clinical indication: trigger finger, flexor contracture, boutonniere deformity, or spastic hand disorder with failed conservative treatment.
Record conservative treatment attempts prior to surgery (injections, splinting, therapy) to support medical necessity.
Note laterality (left vs. right hand) and the specific tendon or tendon sheath released (flexor vs. extensor).
If multiple digits are treated, document each digit separately with its own clinical rationale and operative description.

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

22 Increased complexity 25 Significant separate E/M 51 Multiple procedures 52 Reduced services 59 Distinct service 76 Repeat, same physician 77 Repeat, another physician 78 Unplanned return — related 79 Unrelated during global LT Left side RT Right side XS Separate structure

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

CPT 26060 describes a percutaneous (subcutaneous) tenotomy performed on a single digit of the hand. The surgeon introduces a needle or small blade through the skin to divide the target tendon without an open incision. Common indications include trigger finger, flexor tendon contractures, and boutonniere deformities with passively correctable PIP joint hyperextension. The code is reported per digit — use finger-specific modifiers (FA, F1–F9) when the same procedure is performed on multiple digits in the same session.

The 90-day global period applies. All routine post-op care, dressing changes, and office visits related to the tenotomy are bundled through day 90. Any unrelated procedure performed during the global window requires modifier 79; an unplanned return for a related issue requires modifier 78. If a same-day E/M is separately identifiable and not the decision for surgery, append modifier 25 to the E/M.

For bilateral same-hand procedures on different digits, report separate lines with the appropriate digit modifiers rather than modifier 50. Modifier 50 applies when the identical procedure is performed on the same digit of both hands. NCCI policy establishes MUE values for finger procedures at one per digit based on the FA/F1–F9 modifier system — submit a separate line with the corresponding digit modifier for each digit treated.

RVU & reimbursement

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

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU vs. total RVU

The work RVU (2.84) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (7.29) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.

Work RVU	2.84
Practice expense RVU	4
Malpractice RVU	0.45
Total RVU	7.29
Medicare national rate	$243.49
Global period	90 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	$243.49
HOPD (APC 5112) Hospital outpatient department	$1,642.82
ASC (PI A2) Ambulatory surgical center (freestanding)	$872.87

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 26060 get rejected.

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

Missing or insufficient conservative treatment history — payers routinely require documented failed non-surgical management before approving tenotomy.
Digit modifier absent or incorrect — claims submitted without FA/F1–F9 are mismatched against MUE values of one and will deny for excess units.
Laterality modifier (LT/RT) omitted on facility claims, triggering edit or payer-specific denial.
Bundling with a more comprehensive tendon procedure performed the same day without modifier 59 or XS to establish a distinct structure.
E/M billed same day without modifier 25, causing the E/M to be bundled into the global surgical package.

Frequently asked questions

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

01Which digit modifier do I need when billing 26060?

Use FA for the left thumb through F5 for the left small finger, and F6–F9 for the right hand digits. Submit a separate claim line with the appropriate modifier for each digit treated. The MUE for 26060 is set at one per digit based on this modifier system — billing multiple units on a single line without digit modifiers will trigger a denial.

02Can I bill 26060 for trigger finger release?

Yes. Percutaneous trigger finger tenotomy — needle release of the A1 pulley or flexor tendon — is appropriately reported with 26060. Document the specific digit, the percutaneous technique, and the clinical finding of triggering or locking that failed conservative management.

03Is 26060 appropriate for boutonniere deformity correction?

Yes, when the boutonniere deformity is passively correctable. A subcutaneous extensor tenotomy at the DIP to relieve hyperextension while increasing PIP flexion is correctly reported with 26060. If the deformity is fixed and requires open capsulotomy or collateral ligament release, 26525 is the more appropriate code.

04How do I handle the same procedure on multiple digits in the same session?

Report 26060 on separate lines, each with the corresponding digit modifier (FA–F9). Add modifier 51 on the secondary lines to indicate multiple procedures. Do not stack units on a single line — that conflicts with the per-digit MUE and will deny.

05What is the global period for 26060, and what does it include?

The global period is 90 days. It bundles the day-before pre-op visit, the procedure, and all routine post-op care through day 90. Unrelated procedures during the global period need modifier 79. An unplanned return for a related complication needs modifier 78. Separate E/M visits unrelated to the tenotomy need modifier 24.

06Can 26060 and a more extensive tendon procedure be billed together on the same digit?

Generally no — if a more extensive open tendon repair or reconstruction is performed on the same tendon and digit, NCCI will bundle 26060 as a component of the larger procedure. If the tenotomy is performed on a distinct tendon or separate structure within the same digit, append modifier 59 or XS with supporting documentation.

Sources & references

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

Mira Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures the treated digit by name and number, the specific tendon divided (flexor vs. extensor), the percutaneous approach, and the indication (e.g., trigger finger, boutonniere deformity, flexor contracture) directly from dictation. It auto-flags the correct FA/F1–F9 digit modifier and prompts for laterality. This prevents the two most common denials for 26060: missing digit modifier causing MUE rejection, and vague operative documentation that fails medical necessity review.

See how Mira captures CPT 26060 documentation