CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

Medicare pays $330 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 28011 describes a percutaneous tenotomy procedure in which the provider incises or divides multiple tendons in a toe through a small skin incision to correct deformities such as hammer toe; service type: minor surgical tendon release; typical site of service: outpatient clinic or ambulatory surgical center (office-based minor procedure or ASC).

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CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

Medicare pays $330 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 28011 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 28011 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting to a podiatry or orthopedic clinic with a painful, fixed or flexible hammer toe deformity of the lesser toes causing dorsal toe pressure, callus formation, ulceration risk, or pain in standard shoe gear. Conservative measures such as shoe modification, padding, orthotics, and steroid injection have been attempted and documented as ineffective or not tolerated. The patient is evaluated in clinic with focused history and physical exam, gait assessment, and weight-bearing forefoot radiographs when indicated to assess bony alignment and rule out arthritic changes.

The procedure, 28011 percutaneous tenotomy of flexor tendons of one or more toes, is typically performed in an ambulatory surgery center or office-based procedure room under local anesthesia with or without sedation. The workflow includes preoperative consent and marking, sterile prep, local infiltration, a small percutaneous incision to divide contracted tendon(s), intraoperative assessment of toe alignment and range of motion, hemostasis, dressing application, and postoperative instructions for wound care and activity restrictions. Follow-up is arranged within 7–14 days for wound check and to monitor correction, pain control, and mobility. Documentation should include indication, conservative treatments tried, informed consent, anesthesia type, tendons released, laterality, number of toes treated, and immediate outcome.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11055`	Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (e.g., corn or callus); single lesion	Often performed pre- or post-tenotomy to remove painful callus overlying hammer toe.
`11720`	Debridement of nail(s) by any method; partial nail avulsion, single	May be performed concurrently if nail pathology contributes to symptoms or needs treatment.
`28820`	Tenotomy, foot; percutaneous, tendo-Achilles (separate anatomic site)	Example of other percutaneous tendon procedures of the foot that may be performed in the same setting for separate indications.
`28280`	Correction, hammertoe (e.g., hammer, mallet), metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty, with or without tendon lengthening/transfer; single toe	Open corrective procedures that may be performed when percutaneous tenotomy is insufficient or deformity requires arthroplasty.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee); without ultrasound guidance	Relevant for preoperative or diagnostic injections for local pain control or diagnostic differentiation in foot/ankle care.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
50	Modifier –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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 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…
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…	- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080P0206X	Pediatric Gastroenterology Physician	A pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children and adolescents. This speciali…
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
363L00000X	Nurse Practitioner	(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
3140N1450X	Pediatric Skilled Nursing Facility	A nursing care facility designed and staffed for the provision of nursing care and appropriate educational and habilitative/rehabilitative services to…
246ZE0600X	Electroneurodiagnostic Specialist/Technologist	Technologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Other
317400000X	Deactivated - Christian Science Facility	Inactive, use 282J00000X
103TE1100X	Exercise & Sports Psychologist	A psychologist with a proficiency in sports psychology that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address optimal performance and well-being of a…
2081N0008X	Neuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Physician	A physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

15 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
E11.52	Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic peripheral angiopathy with gangrene
G57.51	Tarsal tunnel syndrome, right lower limb
M21.6X1	Other acquired deformities of right foot
M21.6X2	Other acquired deformities of left foot
M25.571	Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
M25.572	Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
M25.579	Pain in unspecified ankle and joints of unspecified foot
M77.9	Enthesopathy, unspecified
M79.671	Pain in right foot
M79.672	Pain in left foot

Showing 1–10 of 15

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Osteochondral Grafting of the Knee	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompression	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacing	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilization	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplasty	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Shoulder Open Procedures	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 28001: Drainage of Infected Bursa of Foot

CPT-28002-BURSAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE-TENDON-COVERING

CPT 28002: Incision and Drainage of Bursal Infection Involving Tendon Covering

CPT-28003-FOOT-BURSAL-DRAINAGE-MULTIPLE-SPACES

CPT 28003: Drainage of Multiple Infected Foot Bursal Spaces

CPT-28005-FOOT-BONE-CORTEX-INCISION-FOR-INFECTION

CPT 28005: Incision of Bone Cortex, Foot

CPT-28008-PLANTAR-FASCIA-RELEASE-TOE-CONTRACTURE-RELEASE

CPT 28008: Plantar Fascia or Toe Contracture Release

CPT-28010-PERCUTANEOUS-TENOTOMY-TOE-HAMMER-TOE-CORRECTION

CPT 28010: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Single Toe Tendon

CPT-28020-FOOT-ANKLE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28020: Incision and Drainage of Foot/Ankle Joint

CPT-28022-TOE-FOREFOOT-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28022: Arthrotomy, Toe Joint, Exploration and Drainage

CPT-28024-TOE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28024: Incision and Drainage of Toe Joint

CPT-28035-TARSAL-TUNNEL-RELEASE-POSTERIOR-TIBIAL-NERVE-DECOMPRESSION

CPT 28035: Tarsal Tunnel Release, Posterior Tibial Nerve

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11055`	Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (e.g., corn or callus); single lesion	Often performed pre- or post-tenotomy to remove painful callus overlying hammer toe.
`11720`	Debridement of nail(s) by any method; partial nail avulsion, single	May be performed concurrently if nail pathology contributes to symptoms or needs treatment.
`28820`	Tenotomy, foot; percutaneous, tendo-Achilles (separate anatomic site)	Example of other percutaneous tendon procedures of the foot that may be performed in the same setting for separate indications.
`28280`	Correction, hammertoe (e.g., hammer, mallet), metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty, with or without tendon lengthening/transfer; single toe	Open corrective procedures that may be performed when percutaneous tenotomy is insufficient or deformity requires arthroplasty.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee); without ultrasound guidance	Relevant for preoperative or diagnostic injections for local pain control or diagnostic differentiation in foot/ankle care.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
50	Modifier –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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 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…
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…	- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080P0206X	Pediatric Gastroenterology Physician	A pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children and adolescents. This speciali…
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
363L00000X	Nurse Practitioner	(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
3140N1450X	Pediatric Skilled Nursing Facility	A nursing care facility designed and staffed for the provision of nursing care and appropriate educational and habilitative/rehabilitative services to…
246ZE0600X	Electroneurodiagnostic Specialist/Technologist	Technologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Other
317400000X	Deactivated - Christian Science Facility	Inactive, use 282J00000X
103TE1100X	Exercise & Sports Psychologist	A psychologist with a proficiency in sports psychology that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address optimal performance and well-being of a…
2081N0008X	Neuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Physician	A physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

15 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
E11.52	Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic peripheral angiopathy with gangrene
G57.51	Tarsal tunnel syndrome, right lower limb
M21.6X1	Other acquired deformities of right foot
M21.6X2	Other acquired deformities of left foot
M25.571	Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
M25.572	Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
M25.579	Pain in unspecified ankle and joints of unspecified foot
M77.9	Enthesopathy, unspecified
M79.671	Pain in right foot
M79.672	Pain in left foot

Showing 1–10 of 15

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Osteochondral Grafting of the Knee	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompression	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacing	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilization	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplasty	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Shoulder Open Procedures	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 28001: Drainage of Infected Bursa of Foot

CPT-28002-BURSAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE-TENDON-COVERING

CPT 28002: Incision and Drainage of Bursal Infection Involving Tendon Covering

CPT-28003-FOOT-BURSAL-DRAINAGE-MULTIPLE-SPACES

CPT 28003: Drainage of Multiple Infected Foot Bursal Spaces

CPT-28005-FOOT-BONE-CORTEX-INCISION-FOR-INFECTION

CPT 28005: Incision of Bone Cortex, Foot

CPT-28008-PLANTAR-FASCIA-RELEASE-TOE-CONTRACTURE-RELEASE

CPT 28008: Plantar Fascia or Toe Contracture Release

CPT-28010-PERCUTANEOUS-TENOTOMY-TOE-HAMMER-TOE-CORRECTION

CPT 28010: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Single Toe Tendon

CPT-28020-FOOT-ANKLE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28020: Incision and Drainage of Foot/Ankle Joint

CPT-28022-TOE-FOREFOOT-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28022: Arthrotomy, Toe Joint, Exploration and Drainage

CPT-28024-TOE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28024: Incision and Drainage of Toe Joint

CPT-28035-TARSAL-TUNNEL-RELEASE-POSTERIOR-TIBIAL-NERVE-DECOMPRESSION

CPT 28035: Tarsal Tunnel Release, Posterior Tibial Nerve

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

OpenPayer

CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

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OpenPayer

CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

Sign up for cpt 28011 policy alerts

CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

Sign up for cpt 28011 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 28011 describe and where is it typically performed?

What clinical scenarios and evaluations typically lead to using CPT 28011?

What documentation elements are important when billing for CPT 28011?

Which CPT codes are related to or commonly associated with CPT 28011?

Which diagnosis codes commonly support medical necessity for CPT 28011?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 28011 describe and where is it typically performed?

What clinical scenarios and evaluations typically lead to using CPT 28011?

What documentation elements are important when billing for CPT 28011?

Which CPT codes are related to or commonly associated with CPT 28011?

Which diagnosis codes commonly support medical necessity for CPT 28011?

References