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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Hand and FingersCPT cpt-26460-open-extensor-tenotomy-hand-finger
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    CPT 26460: Open Tenotomy of Extensor Tendon, Hand or Finger

    Medicare pays $464 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 26460 describes an open tenotomy — surgical division of an extensor tendon of the hand or finger — performed to release tendon adhesions or correct deformity; this is a surgical procedure typically done in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under regional or local anesthesia with or without sedation.

    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).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 45-year-old right-hand-dominant manual worker who presents with persistent dorsal finger pain, visible tendon imbalance, and decreased active extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint after a zone II extensor tendon scar contracture from prior injury. Conservative care including splinting and therapy has failed to restore function. The hand surgeon evaluates range of motion, tendon continuity, and tendon excursion, documents failed nonoperative management, obtains informed consent, and schedules an outpatient open tenotomy of the involved extensor tendon. The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department under regional block or local anesthesia with sedation. Postoperative workflow includes wound care instructions, a brief observation period, analgesia management, and early hand therapy or splinting as indicated for finger mobilization and to prevent recurrence of adhesions and contracture.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    26055Repair, flexor tendon, primary or secondary; digit, singlePerformed when flexor tendon injury is present on the same digit and may be done concurrently or in staged repair.
    26120Tenolysis, flexor tendon; fingerTenolysis may be performed for adhesions when motion is restricted; extensor tenotomy can be an alternative or adjunct.
    26418Repair, extensor tendon, primary or secondary; fingerDirect extensor tendon repair is related when tendon continuity is restored rather than released; may be performed in same setting if indicated.
    25920Arthroplasty/release, tendon sheath (trigger finger)Often performed for concomitant pulley release or trigger digit pathology affecting tendon gliding.
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursaLocal steroid injection or diagnostic aspiration may precede or accompany nonoperative management prior to surgery.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    2080P0207XPediatric Hematology & Oncology PhysicianA pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
    247000000XHealth Information TechnicianPreferred term for an Accredited Record Technician who is an individual with an associate's degree from an accredited college or independent study pro…
    207LP3000XPediatric Anesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who has had additional skill and experience in and is primarily concerned with the anesthesia, sedation, and pain management needs…
    2279E0002XEmergency Care Registered Respiratory TherapistThe immediate availability of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiopulmonary services in the assessment and management of trauma victims, patients requiri…
    207XS0117XOrthopaedic Surgery of the Spine PhysicianRecognized by several state medical boards as a fellowship subspecialty program of orthopaedic surgery, orthopaedic surgeons of the spine deal with th…
    2251E1200XErgonomics Physical TherapistA licensed physical therapist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to the workplace, occupational demands, prevention of w…
    363LW0102XWomen's Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner

    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

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    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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