Closed reduction of a single interphalangeal joint dislocation in the finger, performed with manipulation and requiring anesthesia.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare: $439.22
Work RVU: 3.8
Global, days: 90
Region: Hand

Drawn from CMSAAPCFindacodeFastrvuNIH

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 joint treated (e.g., right ring finger PIP joint) — not just 'finger dislocation'.
Document the type and administration of anesthesia used; this is the primary distinction between 26775 and 26770.
Record pre- and post-reduction imaging confirming the dislocation and confirming joint congruity after manipulation.
Note the manipulation technique, number of reduction attempts, and whether closed reduction was successful.
Document neurovascular status of the affected digit before and after reduction.
Record post-reduction immobilization plan (splint type, position, duration).

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

22 Increased complexity 24 Unrelated E/M during global 25 Significant separate E/M 51 Multiple procedures 57 Decision for surgery 58 Staged or related 73 Discontinued pre-anesthesia 74 Discontinued post-anesthesia 76 Repeat, same physician 77 Repeat, another physician 78 Unplanned return — related 79 Unrelated during global LT Left side RT Right side

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

CPT 26775 describes closed (non-surgical) reduction of a dislocated interphalangeal joint — PIP or DIP — in a single finger, where manipulation is required and anesthesia is necessary to achieve reduction. The anesthesia requirement is what separates this code from 26770, which covers the same reduction without anesthesia. A digital block performed by the treating physician in the office generally supports 26770; 26775 is appropriate when the procedure is performed in an OR or ASC setting, or when documented anesthesia beyond a simple local infiltration is required and provided.

The code carries a 90-day global period. All routine follow-up care, splinting checks, and dressing changes within that window are bundled. If an unrelated E/M service is billed during the global, append modifier 24. If a separate, significant E/M occurs on the day of surgery for a distinct problem, append modifier 25 to that E/M. Staged or planned subsequent procedures within the global require modifier 58; unplanned returns for a related complication require modifier 78.

Laterality modifiers (LT/RT) are expected by most payers when a single finger is treated. Document the specific finger and joint (e.g., right long finger PIP joint) in both the operative note and on the claim. Missing laterality is a common clean-claim failure for this code.

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 (3.8) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (13.15) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.

Work RVU	3.8
Practice expense RVU	8.59
Malpractice RVU	0.76
Total RVU	13.15
Medicare national rate	$439.22
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	$439.22
HOPD (APC 5102) Hospital outpatient department	$285.75
ASC (PI P2) Ambulatory surgical center (freestanding)	$153.62

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 26775 get rejected.

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

Missing laterality modifier (LT or RT) — most payers require it for single-digit procedures.
Upcoding from 26770 when the anesthesia documented is only a physician-administered digital block in the office, which typically supports 26770 instead.
Global period conflicts — follow-up visits billed without modifier 24 within the 90-day global are automatically bundled and denied.
Diagnosis code mismatch — ICD-10 must specify the finger, joint, and laterality to align with the procedure code.
Lack of post-reduction imaging documentation to support medical necessity of the reduction procedure.

Frequently asked questions

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

01What's the difference between 26770 and 26775?

Anesthesia. Both codes cover closed reduction of a single interphalangeal joint dislocation with manipulation. 26770 is used when no anesthesia beyond routine local infiltration is needed; 26775 is used when anesthesia is required — typically in an OR or ASC setting. A digital block administered by the treating physician in the office generally supports 26770, not 26775.

02Can I bill 26775 when the physician does the digital block themselves in the office?

Generally no. Industry consensus and payer guidance support 26770 when the surgeon provides a simple digital block in the office. 26775 is the appropriate code when the case moves to an OR or ASC, or when documented anesthesia beyond a physician-administered digital block is required and provided.

03Do I need a laterality modifier for 26775?

Yes. Append LT or RT to identify the treated side. Most payers will reject or downcode claims missing laterality on single-digit hand procedures. Also document the specific finger and joint in the operative note.

04What ICD-10 codes pair with 26775?

Use ICD-10 codes from the S63.2x series for dislocations of interphalangeal joints of the finger — selecting the code that specifies the correct finger, joint (PIP vs. DIP), laterality, and encounter type (initial vs. subsequent). Mismatched or unspecified diagnosis codes are a top clean-claim failure for this procedure.

05How does the 90-day global period affect same-day E/M billing?

An E/M on the day of surgery for a separate, significant problem requires modifier 25 on the E/M. During the 90-day post-op period, unrelated E/M visits require modifier 24. Routine follow-up for the reduced dislocation is bundled — bill it separately and you'll get a denial.

06When would modifier 22 apply to 26775?

Modifier 22 applies when the work is substantially greater than typical — for example, a chronic or recurrent dislocation with significant soft tissue interposition requiring extensive manipulation. Documentation must clearly describe what made the case unusually difficult; a generic note won't survive audit.

07Can 26775 be billed bilaterally on the same date?

If dislocations of corresponding joints on both hands are treated in the same session, append modifier 50 for bilateral or use LT and RT on separate lines per payer preference. This is uncommon clinically but valid when documented. Confirm bilateral billing rules with individual payers before submitting.

Sources & references

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

Mira Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures the specific finger and joint dislocated, the anesthesia type and who administered it, the reduction technique, number of attempts, and post-reduction neurovascular and imaging findings — all from dictation. That detail directly supports the 26775 vs. 26770 distinction and prevents downcoding on audit when a payer questions whether anesthesia was truly required.

See how Mira captures CPT 26775 documentation