26541 Repair hand joint with graft
Also known as: Hand joint repair with graft, Joint repair and graft, Cartilage repair
Surgical repair of a hand joint with concurrent graft placement to address cartilage deficiency, ligament insufficiency, or improve repair outcomes.
In Plain Language
Fixing a hand joint with tissue graft; Joint repair with graft material
Clinical Context
Performed for hand joint injuries with cartilage loss, significant ligamentous damage, or when graft material improves repair outcomes.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 8.59 |
| Total RVU | 8.59 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 8.59, this code ranks in the 53rd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.1x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26541?
CPT 26541 (Repair hand joint with graft) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a hand joint with concurrent graft placement to address cartilage deficiency, ligament insufficiency, or improve repair outcomes.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26541?
The work RVU for CPT 26541 is 8.59. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Microsurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26541 used?
Performed for hand joint injuries with cartilage loss, significant ligamentous damage, or when graft material improves repair outcomes.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.