CPT code 11421: Lesion excision, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA

Reports surgical removal of a benign skin lesion on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia when the lesion and margins measure 0.6–1 cm.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality23.1K Medicare services in 2024

In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $167.69 for 11421 in the office and $101.43 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$167.69Office (non-facility)
$101.43Hospital or facility
+5.3%vs the national office rate ($159.32)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11421 nationwide

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

We’ll open 11421 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in El Centro, CA
  2. What 11421 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 11421 covers

This code represents full-thickness surgical removal of a benign skin lesion from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Dermatologists, primary care clinicians, and surgeons commonly perform the procedure in an office or outpatient setting. The reported size is the excised diameter: the lesion’s greatest diameter plus the narrowest margins needed for complete removal. The code is not selected by the length of the incision or the size of the specimen after removal.

Document the lesion’s site, benign diagnosis, excised diameter, and removal method. Routine simple closure is included; a separately performed intermediate or complex repair may be reported when its requirements are met. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, 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 El Centro, CA compares for 11421

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11421 runs from $141.64 in Arkansas to $208.74 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $167.69. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

11421 in El Centro, CA vs other payment areas
  1. El Centro, CA · this page$167.69
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$168.17+$0.48
  3. Chico, CA · California$167.66−$0.03
  4. Fresno, CA · California$167.66−$0.03
  5. Hanford, CA · California$167.66−$0.03
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$178.75+$11.06
  7. Madera, CA · California$167.66−$0.03

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

11421 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$167.66$101.40
Modesto, CACalifornia$167.66$101.40
Napa, CACalifornia$193.21$113.53
Oxnard, CACalifornia$177.79$106.33
Redding, CACalifornia$167.66$101.40
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$167.66$101.40
Riverside, CACalifornia$169.51$103.25
Sacramento, CACalifornia$175.67$105.36

11421 rates by state

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

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$141.64

$188.20

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
11421 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$187.541
AL$143.621
AR$141.641
AZ$155.221
CA$167.66–$208.7429
CO$165.431
CT$169.621
DC$181.391
DE$157.721
FL$157.52–$172.353
GA$148.98–$162.302
GU$171.441
HI$171.441
IA$146.901
ID$147.861
IL$153.31–$167.544
IN$148.671
KS$146.341
KY$147.091
LA$146.91–$153.852
MA$164.55–$181.202
MD$160.60–$181.393
ME$148.71–$156.272
MI$150.84–$159.512
MN$158.401
MO$144.56–$154.253
MS$143.121
MT$159.311
NC$150.181
ND$155.951
NE$147.641
NH$162.951
NJ$171.52–$179.662
NM$151.681
NV$158.481
NY$152.34–$187.265
OH$150.161
OK$146.731
OR$157.21–$170.392
PA$150.33–$165.622
PR$160.401
RI$163.111
SC$150.421
SD$155.551
TN$147.061
TX$149.39–$164.918
UT$152.391
VA$155.85–$181.392
VI$160.401
VT$155.461
WA$164.20–$184.712
WI$150.951
WV$147.901
WY$157.851

See 11421 in every payment locality

How the 11421 rate is calculated

Each of 11421’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.

How the rate is built · 11421

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.43

1.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.17

3.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.17

0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.7700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$159.32

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,316

Code
11421
Physician work
1.43
Practice expense
3.17
Malpractice
0.17

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office calculation for 11421 in El Centro, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.43× 1.0171.4543
Practice expense3.17× 1.0963.4743
Malpractice0.17× 0.5410.0920
Total RVUs5.0206
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, El Centro, CA$167.69

Office: (1.43 × 1.017 + 3.17 × 1.096 + 0.17 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $167.69

Facility: (1.43 × 1.017 + 1.36 × 1.096 + 0.17 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $101.43

Open 11421 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 11421

11421 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 11421

Lesion excision, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 11421

Lesion excision, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

11421 without 51 · national office

$159.32

Lesion excision, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

11421-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$79.66

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

How 11421 has changed in El Centro, CA

11421 · Office / nonfacility

$167.69

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.16 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $162.53 to $167.69 (3.2%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $162.53changed to$167.69

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.47 changed to 1.43
    • Practice expense RVU 3.15 changed to 3.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $168.54changed to$162.53

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.18 changed to 3.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $165.79changed to$168.54

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $170.03changed to$165.79

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.16 changed to 3.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $171.25changed to$170.03

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.13 changed to 3.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $171.32changed to$171.25

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.10 changed to 3.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $169.86changed to$171.32

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.89 changed to 3.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $167.30changed to$169.86

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.82 changed to 2.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.18
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $166.70changed to$167.30

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.81 changed to 2.82
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $165.67changed to$166.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.77 changed to 2.81
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$165.67

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$167.69$101.43RVU26D
2026-07-01$167.69$101.43RVU26C
2026-04-01$167.69$101.43RVU26B
2026-01-01$167.69$101.43RVU26A
2025-10-01$162.53$110.56RVU25D
2025-07-01$162.53$110.56RVU25C
2025-04-01$162.53$110.56RVU25B
2025-01-01$162.53$110.56RVU25A
2024-10-01$168.54$112.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$168.54$112.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$168.54$112.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$168.54$112.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$165.79$111.03RVU24A
2023-10-01$170.03$113.72RVU23D
2023-07-01$170.03$113.72RVU23C
2023-04-01$170.03$113.72RVU23B
2023-01-01$170.03$113.72RVU23A
2022-10-01$171.25$113.39RVU22D
2022-07-01$171.25$113.39RVU22C
2022-04-01$171.25$113.39RVU22B
2022-01-01$171.25$113.39RVU22A
2021-10-01$171.32$113.35RVU21D
2021-07-01$171.32$113.35RVU21C
2021-04-01$171.32$113.35RVU21B
2021-01-01$171.32$113.35RVU21A
2020-10-01$169.86$115.41RVU20D
2020-07-01$169.86$115.41RVU20C
2020-04-01$169.86$115.41RVU20B
2020-01-01$169.86$115.41RVU20A
2019-10-01$167.30$115.43RVU19D
2019-07-01$167.30$115.43RVU19C
2019-04-01$167.30$115.43RVU19B
2019-01-01$167.30$115.43RVU19A
2018-10-01$166.70$115.28RVU18D
2018-07-01$166.70$115.28RVU18C
2018-04-01$166.70$115.28RVU18B
2018-01-01$166.70$115.28RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$165.67$116.10RVU17D
2017-07-01$165.67$116.10RVU17C
2017-04-01$165.67$116.10RVU17B
2017-01-01$165.67$116.10RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 11421 for an earlier date of service

Where the El Centro, CA rate applies

El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • El Centro
  • Bombay Beach
  • Brawley
  • Calexico
  • Calipatria
  • Desert Shores
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
  • Heber

Browse all communities in California

11421 billing questions

How is 11421 distinguished from 11420 or 11422?

Use the excised diameter, including the lesion and the narrowest margins needed for removal. 11421 is for 0.6–1 cm; 11420 is the smaller size range and 11422 the next larger range.

Which body sites qualify for this code?

The site group includes the scalp, neck, hands, feet, and genitalia. A similar-sized lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs belongs to a different site group.

Can the closure be billed separately?

Routine simple closure is included in the excision. A separately performed intermediate or complex repair may be reported when the repair service and documentation support it.

Should modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; report the services according to the applicable lesion and procedure coding rules rather than using modifier 50.

What documentation supports the size selection?

Record the anatomical site, benign lesion diagnosis, and excised diameter, calculated from the lesion’s greatest diameter plus the narrowest margins. The incision length alone does not establish the code’s size.

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 11421PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,316 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El Centro, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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