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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesGeneral Introduction or Removal Procedures on the Musculoskeletal SystemCPT cpt-20680-removal-deep-skeletal-fixation-devices
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    CPT 20680: Removal of Deep Implant or Internal Fixation

    Medicare pays $652 and commercial payers pay $1672 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 20680 describes removal of deep-seated skeletal fixation devices (such as pins, rods, wires, bands, or plates) after bone healing, a surgical implant removal procedure typically performed in an operating room or similarly equipped ambulatory surgical center under appropriate anesthesia; the service involves exposing the implant, detaching fixation elements, and extracting hardware to restore normal skeletal alignment and function.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Implants for Joint Pain, Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis), Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell Therapy.

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    Medicare’s mean rate of $651.70 sits below BUCA’s average commercial mean of $1,671.80, indicating a sizable gap between public reimbursement and BUCA’s commercial market benchmark for CPT 20680. That difference of $1,020.10 highlights that commercial payers, on average, reimburse substantially more than Medicare for this code, with BUCA positioned well above Medicare in national mean reimbursement.

    Dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies materially across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield shows the widest interquartile spread at $2,503.50 ($3,502.50 − $950.95), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $591.40 ($1,183.60 − $592.20) and BUCA at $1,678.50 ($2,426.50 − $748.60). Cigna’s spread is $520.70, Aetna’s is $493.40, and Medicare’s IQR is narrow at $67.00 ($678 − $611). This indicates Blue Cross Blue Shield has the greatest mid‑range variability while Medicare is the tightest.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old patient who previously underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a distal radius fracture presents in clinic with persistent localized pain and soft-tissue irritation at the implant site three months after the index surgery. Imaging demonstrates healed fracture alignment without hardware failure. The orthopedic surgeon schedules removal of the deep implant under regional block with monitored anesthesia care in an ambulatory surgical center. The workflow includes preoperative evaluation, informed consent documenting risks of infection and reoperation, perioperative antibiotics as indicated, removal of plates and screws via the prior incision, hemostasis, layered closure, postoperative pain control, and discharge with wound and activity instructions. Postoperative coding is based on implant removal of deep fixation devices consistent with 20680, with the encounter diagnosis reported using the applicable T84.* code describing pain or fibrosis related to orthopedic implants.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20670Removal of implant; superficial (e.g., buried wire, pin or rod)Performed when hardware is superficial or subcutaneous rather than deep; may be billed instead of 20680 when appropriate

    Related Modifiers

    13 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207X00000X
    207XX0004X
    207XS0117X
    2355A2700X
    282N00000X
    261QB0400X
    2083C0008X
    364SL0600X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    30 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M84.351AStress fracture, right femur, initial encounter for fracture
    M84.351GStress fracture, right femur, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    M84.359AStress fracture, hip, unspecified, initial encounter for fracture
    M84.359GStress fracture, hip, unspecified, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    M84.371AStress fracture, right ankle, initial encounter for fracture
    M84.371GStress fracture, right ankle, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    M84.372AStress fracture, left ankle, initial encounter for fracture
    M84.372GStress fracture, left ankle, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    M84.40XAPathological fracture, unspecified site, initial encounter for fracture
    M96.0Pseudarthrosis after fusion or arthrodesis

    Showing 1–10 of 30

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Implants for Joint PainBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-03-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)regence2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell TherapyBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)Blue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the Treatment of Adult Low-Back Pain Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Bone Grafts and Stabilization Devices for Spinal Defects - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Implantable Shock Absorbers for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritisblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-12-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06

    Related Codes

    CPT-20500-SINUS-TRACT-THERAPEUTIC-INJECTION

    CPT 20500: Injection of Therapeutic Agent into Sinus Tract

    CPT-20501-SINUS-TRACT-CONTRAST-INJECTION-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 20501: Sinus Tract Contrast Injection for Abscess/Lesion Evaluation

    CPT-20520-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-MUSCLE-TENDON-SHEATH

    CPT 20520: Removal of Foreign Body From Muscle or Tendon Sheath

    CPT-20525-DEEP-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-MUSCLE-TENDON-SHEATH

    CPT 20525: Deep Foreign Body Removal from Muscle or Tendon Sheath

    CPT-20526-CARPAL-TUNNEL-INJECTION-SHORT-TERM-RELIEF

    CPT 20526: Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    CPT-20527-COLLAGENASE-INJECTION-DUPUYTRENS-CONTRACTURE

    CPT 20527: Collagenase Injection for Dupuytren's Contracture

    CPT-20550-TENDON-OR-LIGAMENT-INJECTION-APONEUROSIS-TREATMENT

    CPT 20550: Injection into Tendon or Ligament for Aponeurosis

    CPT-20551-TENDON-ORIGIN-INSERTION-INJECTION

    CPT 20551: Injection into Tendon Origin or Insertion Site

    CPT-20552-TRIGGER-POINT-INJECTION-ONE-OR-TWO-MUSCLES

    CPT 20552: Trigger Point Injection for Myofascial Pain

    CPT-20553-TRIGGER-POINT-INJECTION-THREE-OR-MORE-MUSCLES

    CPT 20553: Trigger Point Injection, Three or More Muscles

    Showing 1–10 of 41

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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    20690Application of a uniplane external fixation systemMay be performed prior to or after internal fixation removal in complex fractures requiring external stabilization
    20692Application of a multiplane external fixation systemRelated when complex multiplanar external fixation is needed around the time of implant removal
    29805Arthroscopy, shoulder, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsyUsed when arthroscopic evaluation or debridement of the joint is performed in conjunction with removal of periarticular hardware