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CPT code 11444: Skin excision, face, 3.1–4 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Reports excision of a benign skin lesion on the face or specified facial sites when the lesion plus margins measures 3.1–4 cm.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $318.79 for 11444 in the office and $214.48 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$318.79Office (non-facility)
$214.48Hospital or facility
+10.6%vs the national office rate ($288.25)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11444 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 11444 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 11444 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 11444 covers

This service removes a clinically benign skin lesion from the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips. Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other physicians may perform it in an office or facility setting. The size category is based on the excised diameter, including the margins, rather than the lesion alone. The code covers one lesion; documentation should identify its site, diagnosis, and measurement with margins.

Report this level when the documented excised diameter is 3.1–4 cm and the site belongs to this facial group. Simple closure is included; a separately documented intermediate or complex repair may be reported when supported. The procedure has 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 others are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this procedure, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Los Angeles, CA compares for 11444

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11444 runs from $257.31 in Arkansas to $368.16 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $318.79. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

11444 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$318.79
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$300.93−$17.86
  3. Chico, CA · California$299.67−$19.12
  4. El Centro, CA · California$299.74−$19.05
  5. Fresno, CA · California$299.67−$19.12
  6. Hanford, CA · California$299.67−$19.12
  7. Madera, CA · California$299.67−$19.12

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

Every other payment area

11444 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$299.67$203.03
Modesto, CACalifornia$299.67$203.03
Napa, CACalifornia$341.79$225.57
Oxnard, CACalifornia$316.69$212.46
Redding, CACalifornia$299.67$203.03
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$299.67$203.03
Riverside, CACalifornia$304.33$207.69
Sacramento, CACalifornia$313.04$210.49

11444 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.

$257.31

$344.79

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

View every state and territory as a table
11444 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$344.791
AL$260.771
AR$257.311
AZ$280.911
CA$299.67–$368.1629
CO$297.231
CT$306.431
DC$325.741
DE$285.281
FL$287.99–$317.183
GA$272.65–$294.172
GU$305.491
HI$305.491
IA$265.141
ID$267.081
IL$281.54–$308.434
IN$268.461
KS$264.811
KY$268.161
LA$268.10–$280.172
MA$296.01–$323.912
MD$290.15–$325.743
ME$269.22–$281.422
MI$275.31–$292.152
MN$283.071
MO$264.41–$280.123
MS$260.871
MT$288.221
NC$271.671
ND$279.721
NE$266.231
NH$293.421
NJ$309.44–$322.972
NM$277.031
NV$286.021
NY$275.48–$339.345
OH$273.571
OK$266.861
OR$283.30–$305.112
PA$273.52–$299.862
PR$289.901
RI$294.281
SC$273.171
SD$278.711
TN$266.131
TX$271.93–$296.688
UT$276.581
VA$281.14–$325.742
VI$289.901
VT$279.451
WA$295.18–$329.412
WI$271.171
WV$272.171
WY$284.521

See 11444 in every payment locality

How the 11444 rate is calculated

Each of 11444’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 · 11444

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.11

3.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.09

5.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.43

0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.6300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$288.25

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,325

Code
11444
Physician work
3.11
Practice expense
5.09
Malpractice
0.43

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 11444 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.11× 1.0413.2375
Practice expense5.09× 1.1836.0215
Malpractice0.43× 0.6640.2855
Total RVUs9.5445
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$318.79

Office: (3.11 × 1.041 + 5.09 × 1.183 + 0.43 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $318.79

Facility: (3.11 × 1.041 + 2.45 × 1.183 + 0.43 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $214.48

Open 11444 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 11444

11444 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 11444

Skin excision, face, 3.1–4 cm

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 · 11444

Skin excision, face, 3.1–4 cm

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

11444 without 51 · national office

$288.25

Skin excision, face, 3.1–4 cm

11444-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$144.13

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 11444

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

Codes related to 11444
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Same family
11443Skin excision, face, 2.1 to 3 cmSame facial site group; selected for an excised diameter of 2.1–3 cm.$256.23
11442Facial lesion excision, 1.1–2 cm excised diameterSame facial site group; selected for an excised diameter of 1.1–2 cm.$217.55
11446Skin lesion excision, face, over 4 cmSame facial site group; selected when the excised diameter exceeds 4 cm.$437.41
Used instead
11404Skin excision, trunk or extremity, 3.1–4 cmFor a benign lesion in the trunk or extremity site group at the corresponding size level.$257.42
11644Malignant lesion excision, face and related sites, 3.1-4 cmFor excision of a malignant lesion in the same facial site group and size range.$434.39
Often billed with
12052Wound repair, face, 2.6–5 cmMay be reported for a separately documented qualifying intermediate repair of the facial wound.$349.88

How 11444 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

11444 · Office / nonfacility

$318.79

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $307.48 to $318.79 (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

    $307.48changed to$318.79

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.19 changed to 3.11
    • Practice expense RVU 4.90 changed to 5.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $315.90changed to$307.48

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.91 changed to 4.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $310.75changed to$315.90

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $318.92changed to$310.75

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.86 changed to 4.91
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $322.95changed to$318.92

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.82 changed to 4.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.44
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $324.11changed to$322.95

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.77 changed to 4.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $321.01changed to$324.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.44 changed to 4.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $317.70changed to$321.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.36 changed to 4.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.46
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $316.08changed to$317.70

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.33 changed to 4.36

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $314.93changed to$316.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.30 changed to 4.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.50
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $313.99changed to$314.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.27 changed to 4.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $314.47changed to$313.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.52

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $312.90changed to$314.47

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $308.43changed to$312.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.23 changed to 4.27
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $307.55changed to$308.43

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.68 changed to 4.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.50
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$307.55

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$318.79$214.48RVU26D
2026-07-01$318.79$214.48RVU26C
2026-04-01$318.79$214.48RVU26B
2026-01-01$318.79$214.48RVU26A
2025-10-01$307.48$242.59RVU25D
2025-07-01$307.48$242.59RVU25C
2025-04-01$307.48$242.59RVU25B
2025-01-01$307.48$242.59RVU25A
2024-10-01$315.90$246.35RVU24D
2024-07-01$315.90$246.35RVU24C
2024-04-01$315.90$246.35RVU24B
2024-03-09$315.90$246.35RVU24AR
2024-01-01$310.75$242.33RVU24A
2023-10-01$318.92$247.84RVU23D
2023-07-01$318.92$247.84RVU23C
2023-04-01$318.92$247.84RVU23B
2023-01-01$318.92$247.84RVU23A
2022-10-01$322.95$249.35RVU22D
2022-07-01$322.95$249.35RVU22C
2022-04-01$322.95$249.35RVU22B
2022-01-01$322.95$249.35RVU22A
2021-10-01$324.11$249.08RVU21D
2021-07-01$324.11$249.08RVU21C
2021-04-01$324.11$249.08RVU21B
2021-01-01$324.11$249.08RVU21A
2020-10-01$321.01$253.11RVU20D
2020-07-01$321.01$253.11RVU20C
2020-04-01$321.01$253.11RVU20B
2020-01-01$321.01$253.11RVU20A
2019-10-01$317.70$252.38RVU19D
2019-07-01$317.70$252.38RVU19C
2019-04-01$317.70$252.38RVU19B
2019-01-01$317.70$252.38RVU19A
2018-10-01$316.08$252.10RVU18D
2018-07-01$316.08$252.10RVU18C
2018-04-01$316.08$252.10RVU18B
2018-01-01$316.08$252.10RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$314.93$252.84RVU17D
2017-07-01$314.93$252.84RVU17C
2017-04-01$314.93$252.84RVU17B
2017-01-01$314.93$252.84RVU17A
2016-10-01$313.99$252.88RVU16D
2016-07-01$313.99$252.88RVU16C
2016-04-01$313.99$252.88RVU16B
2016-01-01$313.99$252.88RVU16A
2015-10-01$314.47$253.98RVU15D
2015-07-01$314.47$253.98RVU15C
2015-04-01$312.90$252.71RVU15B
2015-01-01$312.90$252.71RVU15A
2014-10-01$308.43$247.86RVU14D
2014-07-01$308.43$247.86RVU14C
2014-04-01$308.43$247.86RVU14B
2014-01-01$308.43$247.86RVU14A
2013-10-01$307.55$243.16RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 11444 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

11444 billing questions

How is the size category selected?

Measure the excised diameter, including the margins, and use the documented measurement to select the level. A 3.1–4 cm excised diameter falls in this code’s range.

Is simple wound closure separately reportable?

Simple closure is included in the excision. A separately documented intermediate or complex repair may be reported when the repair meets the applicable coding requirements.

Can modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides of the face?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

Are postoperative visits included?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this procedure. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.

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 11444PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,325 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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