CPT code 11102: Tangential skin biopsy, first or only lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $109.75 for 11102 in the office and $32.63 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11102 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 11102 covers

A tangential biopsy takes a diagnostic skin sample using a blade held nearly parallel to the surface, a scoop or saucerizing technique, or a curette. Sampling depth varies and can reach the deep dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Dermatologists, primary care clinicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants commonly perform it in the office for lesions suspicious for basal or squamous cell carcinoma. Local anesthesia, hemostasis, and simple closure or dressing when performed are included; pathology examination of the specimen is separate.

Report 11102 once when tangential sampling is the highest-valued biopsy technique used in the session; report 11103 for each additional separate tangential lesion. If a punch or incisional biopsy is also performed, report the appropriate higher-valued primary biopsy code and 11103 for the tangential lesion. Document each lesion's site, sampling technique, and diagnostic intent. The 0-day global includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care; a separately identifiable E/M service requires modifier 25 on the E/M code. With multiple procedures, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Washington, DC area compares for 11102

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11102 runs from $84.38 in Arkansas to $128.84 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $109.75. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

Every other payment area

11102 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

See 11102 in every payment locality

How the 11102 rate is calculated

Each of 11102’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 11102

The CMS indicators that decide how 11102 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 11102

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

How 11102 has changed in Washington, DC area

Price 11102 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

• Washington

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Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates