28118 Removal of heel bone
Also known as: calcaneal excision, heel bone removal, calcaneus resection
Excision of the calcaneus (heel bone) or a substantial portion thereof. This procedure removes part or all of the calcaneal bone for severe pathology.
In Plain Language
removing part of the heel bone; heel bone surgery
Clinical Context
Performed for calcaneal osteomyelitis, necrotic calcaneus, severe Paget's disease, or malignancy. Major surgery with significant functional consequences.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.98 |
| Total RVU | 5.98 |
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 5.98, this code ranks in the 40th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.3x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 28118?
CPT 28118 (Removal of heel bone) is a Surgery code. Excision of the calcaneus (heel bone) or a substantial portion thereof. This procedure removes part or all of the calcaneal bone for severe pathology.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 28118?
The work RVU for CPT 28118 is 5.98. This code is primarily used by orthopedic surgery, foot and ankle surgery, surgical oncology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 28118 used?
Performed for calcaneal osteomyelitis, necrotic calcaneus, severe Paget's disease, or malignancy. Major surgery with significant functional consequences.
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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.