26542 Repair hand joint with graft
Also known as: Hand joint repair with graft, Joint repair variant, Alternative joint repair
Surgical repair of a hand joint with concurrent graft placement using alternative technique or anatomic approach, performed for joint injury with tissue deficiency.
In Plain Language
Fixing a hand joint with tissue graft using alternate method; Joint repair with graft variation
Clinical Context
Indicated for hand joint injuries requiring graft augmentation where the specific repair technique or anatomic pattern differs from standard approaches.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.78 |
| Total RVU | 6.78 |
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 6.78, this code ranks in the 44th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26542?
CPT 26542 (Repair hand joint with graft) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a hand joint with concurrent graft placement using alternative technique or anatomic approach, performed for joint injury with tissue deficiency.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26542?
The work RVU for CPT 26542 is 6.78. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Microsurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26542 used?
Indicated for hand joint injuries requiring graft augmentation where the specific repair technique or anatomic pattern differs from standard approaches.
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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.