Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Hand and FingersCPT cpt-26445-extensor-tendon-tenolysis-hand-finger
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 26445: Tenolysis, Extensor Tendon of Hand or Finger

    Medicare pays $626 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 26445 describes a surgical tenolysis procedure to release an extensor tendon of the hand or finger from adhesions; this is an operative soft-tissue procedure typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room to restore tendon glide and improve digital extension.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing), Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement), Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 26445 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 26445 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 48-year-old right-hand dominant office worker presents with persistent loss of active finger extension and pain after open reduction and internal fixation of a distal radius fracture 9 months earlier. Conservative management including hand therapy and serial splinting failed to restore tendon glide. The orthopedic hand surgeon schedules surgical tenolysis of the extensor tendon to release adhesions and restore independent extension of the affected finger.

    Preoperative workflow includes evaluation in the office with documentation of decreased active range of motion compared to passive range, imaging to rule out hardware impingement, preoperative clearance as indicated, and informed consent noting risks and expected outcomes. The procedure is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital same-day surgery unit under regional block or monitored anesthesia care. Postoperative care includes hand therapy beginning within days, wound checks, and scheduled follow-up to document improvement in tendon glide and active motion.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    26055Tenotomy, flexor tendon; primary, single tendonPerformed for flexor tendon adhesions; may be performed on the opposite tendon group in the same patient when indicated.
    26160Tenolysis, flexor tendon, palm and/or finger, each tendonFlexor-side tenolysis alternative; relevant when both extensor and flexor adhesions are present or in comparative coding.
    25260Tenolysis, tendon sheath (e.g., De Quervain)Performed for release of tendon sheath adhesions; may be performed in conjunction if multiple compartments are involved.
    25280Excision, tendon sheath (e.g., De Quervain), first dorsal compartmentCommon adjacent procedure when first dorsal compartment pathology coexists with extensor adhesions.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and managementTypical preoperative and postoperative clinic visit code used for evaluation and follow-up documentation related to tenolysis.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    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…
    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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207X00000XOrthopaedic Surgery PhysicianAn orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
    207T00000XNeurological Surgery PhysicianA neurological surgeon provides the operative and non-operative management (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, and reh…
    2080P0207XPediatric Hematology & Oncology PhysicianA pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    2088F0040XUrogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (Urology) PhysicianA subspecialist in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery is a physician in Urology or Obstetrics and Gynecology who, by virtue of education …
    261QR0404XCardiac Rehabilitation Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2083X0100XOccupational Medicine PhysicianOccupational medicine focuses on the health of workers, including the ability to perform work; the physical, chemical, biological, and social environm…
    207WX0110XPediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Specialist Physician PhysicianAn ophthalmologist who specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus management. The subspecialty includes the medical and surgical management…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M10.071Idiopathic gout, right ankle and foot
    M19.042Primary osteoarthritis, left hand
    M20.5X1Other deformities of toe(s) (acquired), right foot
    M20.5X2Other deformities of toe(s) (acquired), left foot
    M24.271Disorder of ligament, right ankle
    M24.272Disorder of ligament, left ankle
    M24.671Ankylosis, right ankle
    M24.672Ankylosis, left ankle
    M25.531Pain in right wrist
    M25.532Pain in left wrist

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilizationuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplastyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Shoulder Open ProceduresPremera Bluecross2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-26340-FINGER-JOINT-MANIPULATION-UNDER-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 26340: Manipulation of Finger Joint Under Anesthesia

    CPT-26341-POST-ENZYME-MANIPULATION-FINGER-DUPUYTRENS

    CPT 26341: Manual Finger Manipulation After Enzyme Injection

    CPT-26350-FLEXOR-TENDON-REPAIR-HAND-FINGER-NOT-ZONE-2

    CPT 26350: Flexor Tendon Repair/Advancement (Hand/Finger, Not Zone 2)

    CPT-26352-FLEXOR-TENDON-REPAIR-FREE-GRAFT-DELAYED-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 26352: Flexor Tendon Repair/Advancement with Free Graft (Non–Zone 2)

    CPT-26356-FLEXOR-TENDON-REPAIR-FINGER

    CPT 26356: Flexor Tendon Repair of Finger

    CPT-26357-DELAYED-FLEXOR-TENDON-REPAIR-FINGER

    CPT 26357: Delayed Repair of Flexor Tendon in Finger

    CPT-26358-FLEXOR-TENDON-REPAIR-WITH-FREE-GRAFT

    CPT 26358: Flexor Tendon Repair of Finger with Free Graft

    CPT-26370-PRIMARY-PROFUNDUS-TENDON-REPAIR-FINGER

    CPT 26370: Primary Repair of Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon in Finger

    CPT-26372-SECONDARY-REPAIR-PROFUNDUS-TENDON-FREE-GRAFT-FINGER

    CPT 26372: Secondary Flexor Profundus Tendon Repair with Free Graft

    CPT-26373-SECONDARY-REPAIR-PROFUNDUS-TENDON-FINGER-PRESERVE-SUPERFICIALIS

    CPT 26373: Secondary Repair of Flexor Profundus Tendon in Finger

    Showing 1–10 of 84

    • More pages

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.