26990 Drainage of pelvis lesion
Also known as: hip abscess drainage, pelvic drainage, incision and drainage hip
Surgical incision and drainage of deep abscess or fluid collection in the pelvis or hip region with appropriate tissue handling.
In Plain Language
draining infection from hip area; treating hip infection
Clinical Context
Performed for hip joint infection, psoas abscess, or deep pelvic infections requiring drainage to eliminate purulent material and control infection.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.75 |
| Total RVU | 7.75 |
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 7.75, this code ranks in the 49th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.0x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26990?
CPT 26990 (Drainage of pelvis lesion) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision and drainage of deep abscess or fluid collection in the pelvis or hip region with appropriate tissue handling.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26990?
The work RVU for CPT 26990 is 7.75. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery, Trauma Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26990 used?
Performed for hip joint infection, psoas abscess, or deep pelvic infections requiring drainage to eliminate purulent material and control infection.
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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.