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CPT code 11442: Facial lesion excision, 1.1–2 cm excised diameter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports excision of a benign lesion from the face or specified facial sites when the lesion plus necessary margins measures 1.1 to 2.0 cm.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality23.8K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $182.77 for 11442 in the office and $124.81 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$182.77Office (non-facility)
$124.81Hospital or facility
−5.8%vs the national office rate ($194.06)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11442 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 11442 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 11442 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 11442 covers

Code 11442 reports surgical removal of a benign skin lesion from the face, ear, eyelid, nose, or lip when the excised diameter, including the lesion and necessary margins, is 1.1–2.0 cm. Common examples include removal of a benign nevus or epidermal inclusion cyst from the cheek or external ear. A physician or other qualified practitioner typically performs the procedure in an office procedure room or outpatient surgical setting. Simple wound closure is included; an intermediate or complex repair may be reported separately when performed and documented.

Select the code using the greatest diameter of the lesion plus the margins needed for complete removal, not the incision length. Document the site, benign diagnosis, measured excised diameter, and procedure performed. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the 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 North Carolina compares for 11442

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11442 runs from $172.32 in Arkansas to $253.99 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $182.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

11442 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$182.77
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$217.55+$34.78
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$220.96+$38.19
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$210.58+$27.81
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$204.62+$21.85
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$222.95+$40.18
  7. Alaska · Alaska$228.03+$45.26

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

Every other payment area

11442 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$174.75$120.39
ArkansasArkansas$172.32$118.95
ArizonaArizona$189.00$128.80
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$204.66$136.57
Chico, CACalifornia$204.01$135.92
El Centro, CACalifornia$204.05$135.96
Fresno, CACalifornia$204.01$135.92
Hanford, CACalifornia$204.01$135.92

11442 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$172.32

$229.00

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

View every state and territory as a table
11442 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$228.031
AL$174.751
AR$172.321
AZ$189.001
CA$204.01–$253.9929
CO$201.391
CT$206.691
DC$220.961
DE$192.061
FL$192.08–$210.583
GA$181.55–$197.772
GU$208.631
HI$208.631
IA$178.671
ID$179.871
IL$186.98–$204.624
IN$180.871
KS$178.041
KY$179.121
LA$178.92–$187.452
MA$200.33–$220.632
MD$195.58–$220.963
ME$180.97–$190.192
MI$183.79–$194.592
MN$192.621
MO$176.08–$187.893
MS$174.221
MT$194.041
NC$182.771
ND$189.691
NE$179.561
NH$198.431
NJ$208.94–$218.832
NM$184.841
NV$192.961
NY$185.43–$228.425
OH$182.901
OK$178.631
OR$191.36–$207.412
PA$183.08–$201.802
PR$195.371
RI$198.621
SC$183.161
SD$189.181
TN$178.921
TX$181.93–$200.818
UT$185.571
VA$189.71–$220.962
VI$195.371
VT$189.141
WA$199.89–$224.872
WI$183.561
WV$180.341
WY$192.151

See 11442 in every payment locality

How the 11442 rate is calculated

Each of 11442’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 · 11442

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.73

1.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.86

3.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.22

0.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.8100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$194.06

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,323

Code
11442
Physician work
1.73
Practice expense
3.86
Malpractice
0.22

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 11442 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.73× 1.0001.7300
Practice expense3.86× 0.9333.6014
Malpractice0.22× 0.6390.1406
Total RVUs5.4720
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$182.77

Office: (1.73 × 1 + 3.86 × 0.933 + 0.22 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $182.77

Facility: (1.73 × 1 + 2 × 0.933 + 0.22 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $124.81

Open 11442 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 11442

11442 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 11442

Facial lesion excision, 1.1–2 cm excised diameter

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 · 11442

Facial lesion excision, 1.1–2 cm excised diameter

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

11442 without 51 · national office

$194.06

Facial lesion excision, 1.1–2 cm excised diameter

11442-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$97.03

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

Codes related to 11442

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

Codes related to 11442
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
11440Lesion excision, face, 0.5 cm or lessSame facial sites, for an excised diameter of 0.5 cm or less.$133.65
11441Benign lesion excision, face, 0.6 to 1 cmSame facial sites, for an excised diameter of 0.6–1.0 cm.$163.52
11443Skin excision, face, 2.1 to 3 cmSame facial sites, for an excised diameter of 2.1–3.0 cm.$216.87
11422Skin lesion excision, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaSame size range for benign lesion excision on the scalp, neck, hands, or feet.$169.27
Used instead
11642Skin lesion excision, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lipsExcision code for a malignant lesion at the same sites and size range.$251.75
Often billed with
12051Facial repair, intermediate, 2.5 cm or lessMay be reported for a separately documented intermediate repair of the face or related sites.$266.18

How 11442 has changed in North Carolina

11442 · Office / nonfacility

$182.77

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.45 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $176.32 to $182.77 (3.7%).

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

    $176.32changed to$182.77

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.77 changed to 1.73
    • Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $182.29changed to$176.32

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.83 changed to 3.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $179.31changed to$182.29

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $185.45changed to$179.31

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $188.48changed to$185.45

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.75 changed to 3.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $188.14changed to$188.48

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.70 changed to 3.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $185.22changed to$188.14

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.42 changed to 3.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $182.95changed to$185.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.35 changed to 3.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $182.08changed to$182.95

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.33 changed to 3.35

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $180.54changed to$182.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.29 changed to 3.33
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $179.96changed to$180.54

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 3.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $180.33changed to$179.96

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $179.43changed to$180.33

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $177.58changed to$179.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.21 changed to 3.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $180.30changed to$177.58

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.59 changed to 3.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $180.30

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$182.77$124.81RVU26D
2026-07-01$182.77$124.81RVU26C
2026-04-01$182.77$124.81RVU26B
2026-01-01$182.77$124.81RVU26A
2025-10-01$176.32$136.18RVU25D
2025-07-01$176.32$136.18RVU25C
2025-04-01$176.32$136.18RVU25B
2025-01-01$176.32$136.18RVU25A
2024-10-01$182.29$139.13RVU24D
2024-07-01$182.29$139.13RVU24C
2024-04-01$182.29$139.13RVU24B
2024-03-09$182.29$139.13RVU24AR
2024-01-01$179.31$136.86RVU24A
2023-10-01$185.45$140.53RVU23D
2023-07-01$185.45$140.53RVU23C
2023-04-01$185.45$140.53RVU23B
2023-01-01$185.45$140.53RVU23A
2022-10-01$188.48$141.28RVU22D
2022-07-01$188.48$141.28RVU22C
2022-04-01$188.48$141.28RVU22B
2022-01-01$188.48$141.28RVU22A
2021-10-01$188.14$140.22RVU21D
2021-07-01$188.14$140.22RVU21C
2021-04-01$188.14$140.22RVU21B
2021-01-01$188.14$140.22RVU21A
2020-10-01$185.22$141.93RVU20D
2020-07-01$185.22$141.93RVU20C
2020-04-01$185.22$141.93RVU20B
2020-01-01$185.22$141.93RVU20A
2019-10-01$182.95$141.68RVU19D
2019-07-01$182.95$141.68RVU19C
2019-04-01$182.95$141.68RVU19B
2019-01-01$182.95$141.68RVU19A
2018-10-01$182.08$141.53RVU18D
2018-07-01$182.08$141.53RVU18C
2018-04-01$182.08$141.53RVU18B
2018-01-01$182.08$141.53RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$180.54$141.45RVU17D
2017-07-01$180.54$141.45RVU17C
2017-04-01$180.54$141.45RVU17B
2017-01-01$180.54$141.45RVU17A
2016-10-01$179.96$141.33RVU16D
2016-07-01$179.96$141.33RVU16C
2016-04-01$179.96$141.33RVU16B
2016-01-01$179.96$141.33RVU16A
2015-10-01$180.33$141.90RVU15D
2015-07-01$180.33$141.90RVU15C
2015-04-01$179.43$141.19RVU15B
2015-01-01$179.43$141.19RVU15A
2014-10-01$177.58$139.97RVU14D
2014-07-01$177.58$139.97RVU14C
2014-04-01$177.58$139.97RVU14B
2014-01-01$177.58$139.97RVU14A
2013-10-01$180.30$139.93RVU13D
2013-07-01$180.30$139.93RVU13C
2013-04-01$180.30$139.93RVU13B
2013-01-01$180.30$139.93RVU13AR

Price 11442 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

11442 billing questions

How is the diameter measured for 11442?

Use the lesion’s greatest diameter plus the narrowest margins needed for complete excision. Do not use the incision length.

When should 11441 or 11443 be used instead?

Use 11441 for an excised diameter of 0.6–1.0 cm and 11443 for 2.1–3.0 cm at the same facial sites. Code 11442 covers 1.1–2.0 cm.

Can simple closure be billed separately?

No. Simple closure is included in the excision service. A separately reportable intermediate or complex repair may be coded when supported by the procedure and documentation.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for lesions on both sides of the face?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code under the CMS bilateral rule.

How does CMS pay when other procedures are performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedures are paid at 50%. Related postoperative visits within the 10-day global period are included.

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 11442PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,323 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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