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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Hand and FingersCPT cpt-26485-palmar-tendon-transfer-transplant
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    CPT 26485: Tendon Transfer/Transplantation, Palmar Hand, No Free Graft

    Medicare pays $831 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 26485 describes a surgical tendon transfer or transplantation in the palmar hand without the use of a free graft, a procedure performed to restore tendon function by transferring a local tendon; the service type is surgical tendon transfer and the typical site of service is an operating room or ambulatory surgical center for hand surgery interventions.

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

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old right-hand dominant construction worker presents with persistent loss of flexor tendon function in the palmar aspect of the hand following a zone II flexor tendon laceration sustained 8 months earlier. Conservative management and primary repair were not possible due to tendon attrition and scarring. The hand surgeon evaluates range of motion, grip strength, and diagnostic imaging, and documents failed prior repair and functional deficit. The patient is scheduled for tendon transfer/transplantation in the palmar hand under regional block or general anesthesia with intraoperative assessment and postoperative hand therapy.

    Key workflow steps:

    • Preoperative evaluation with history, physical exam focused on digital motion, neurovascular status, and review of prior operative reports.

    • Preauthorization and medical necessity documentation referencing loss of function and failed prior repair.

    • Operative procedure: transfer or transplant of a palmar tendon without use of a free graft (26485) with intraoperative documentation of tendon selection, tensioning, and repair technique.

    • Immediate postoperative care in PACU, pain control, and splinting.

    • Postoperative course includes early supervised hand therapy, wound checks, and staged strengthening over weeks to months.

    • Typical payor interactions: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, Medicare for coverage and claim adjudication.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    26055Tenolysis; wrist and forearm (separate procedure)Performed when adhesions restrict tendon glide and may be done at the same operation or prior to transfer to improve motion
    26010Repair, flexor tendon, forearm and/or wrist; single tendonMay be performed in initial management when primary repair is feasible; relevant to prior attempts that failed before 26485 is indicated
    25999Unlisted procedure, forearm and wristUsed when a specific variation of tendon reconstruction or complex technique not described by existing codes is performed in conjunction with 26485
    26418Transfer or transplantation of tendon, forearm to hand, without free graftCode for tendon transfer procedures involving the forearm to hand; may be used for transfers that originate in the forearm rather than palmar hand

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    2084N0400XNeurology PhysicianA Neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, auton…
    2278P3800XPalliative/Hospice Certified Respiratory TherapistA coordinated plan of care to help dying patients and their families handle the burden of terminal care. Effective secretion management and relief of…
    364SP1700XPerinatal Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    103K00000XBehavior AnalystA behavior analyst is qualified by at least a master's degree and Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification and/or a state-issued credential …
    225B00000XPulmonary Function TechnologistAn individual who is trained and qualified to perform pulmonary diagnostic tests. In the course of conducting these tests, the Pulmonary Function Tec…
    3418M1120XMilitary or U.S. Coast Guard Air Transport AmbulanceVehicle and staff for patient emergency or non-emergency air transport.
    1223D0001XPublic Health DentistryThe science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

    7 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilizationuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    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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    29515Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); staticCommon postoperative code for immobilization used immediately after tendon transfer
    99024Postoperative follow-up visits (global period)Used by payors for unrelated postoperative visits or for billing documentation of care related to complications outside the global period