26992 Drainage of bone lesion
Also known as: bone abscess drainage, osteomyelitis debridement, hip bone drainage
Surgical drainage and debridement of bone abscess or osteomyelitis in the hip or pelvic region with removal of infected bone tissue.
In Plain Language
treating bone infection; removing infected bone
Clinical Context
Used for hip or pelvic bone infection with abscess formation requiring incision, drainage, and debridement to remove infected material.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 13.14 |
| Total RVU | 13.14 |
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 13.14, this code ranks in the 68th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.6x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26992?
CPT 26992 (Drainage of bone lesion) is a Surgery code. Surgical drainage and debridement of bone abscess or osteomyelitis in the hip or pelvic region with removal of infected bone tissue.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26992?
The work RVU for CPT 26992 is 13.14. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Infectious Disease. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26992 used?
Used for hip or pelvic bone infection with abscess formation requiring incision, drainage, and debridement to remove infected material.
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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.