Exc/crtg b1 cst/b9 tum rds
CPT code 24120 covers the surgical removal or scraping out (curettage) of a bone cyst or benign tumor from the radius bone in the forearm. This is a definitive surgical procedure to remove abnormal bone growths that can weaken the bone or cause pain.
This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.
RVU breakdown
Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High
NCCI bundling edits
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Billing tips
Document exact size and location of the lesion within the radius (proximal, mid-shaft, or distal) with measurements in centimeters
Impact: Prevents downcoding and supports medical necessity; lack of size documentation causes 15-20% of initial denials
Code bone grafting separately (20900-20902) when autograft or allograft is used to fill the defect after curettage
Impact: Additional $200-400 in reimbursement when documented properly; commonly overlooked revenue
Use modifier 22 with supporting documentation when lesion exceeds 3cm or multiple separate lesions are addressed
Impact: Can increase reimbursement by $100-250 with proper narrative report and operative time documentation
Verify pathology report confirms benign diagnosis; malignant tumors require different CPT codes (24152-24153)
Impact: Billing wrong code family can result in 100% claim denial and potential audit flags
Do not bundle with routine hardware removal (20680) if performed at same session unless hardware removal was planned separately
Impact: Prevents loss of $150-300 in legitimate additional reimbursement
Submit facility and professional components separately when appropriate; ensure place of service code matches (facility vs non-facility)
Impact: Both settings reimburse at $534.04 for this code, but incorrect POS codes trigger automatic denials
Applicable modifiers
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