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CPT code 11603: Lesion excision, trunk or limb, 2.1–3 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Excision of a malignant skin lesion on the trunk, arm, or leg, selected by the lesion’s diameter together with the margins removed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality133.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $313.29 for 11603 in the office and $180.30 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$313.29Office (non-facility)
$180.30Hospital or facility
+13.4%vs the national office rate ($276.23)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11603 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 11603 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 11603 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 11603 covers

This service removes a malignant skin lesion from the trunk, an arm, or a leg, including the surrounding margins taken for complete excision. Dermatologists, surgeons, and other qualified practitioners commonly perform it in an office procedure room or an outpatient facility. The removed tissue is typically submitted for pathology. The code applies to an excised diameter of 2.1–3 cm; face, ear, eyelid, nose, lip, hand, foot, and genital sites belong to different anatomic code groups.

Select the size level using the lesion’s greatest clinical diameter plus the narrowest margins needed for excision, measured before removal. Document the site, lesion and margin measurements, malignant diagnosis or clinical basis for excision, and procedure performed. Simple closure is included; a separately documented intermediate or complex repair may be reportable. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during that period. 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 service; 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 11603

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11603 runs from $246.44 in Arkansas to $357.84 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $313.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

11603 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$313.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$308.01−$5.28
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$300.19−$13.10
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$292.01−$21.28
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$316.65+$3.36
  6. Alaska · Alaska$328.47+$15.18
  7. Alabama · Alabama$249.77−$63.52

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

11603 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$246.44$149.46
ArizonaArizona$269.26$159.87
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$290.30$166.57
Chico, CACalifornia$289.31$165.58
El Centro, CACalifornia$289.37$165.64
Fresno, CACalifornia$289.31$165.58
Hanford, CACalifornia$289.31$165.58
Madera, CACalifornia$289.31$165.58

11603 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.

$246.44

$328.47

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

View every state and territory as a table
11603 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$328.471
AL$249.771
AR$246.441
AZ$269.261
CA$289.31–$357.8429
CO$286.011
CT$293.731
DC$313.291
DE$273.491
FL$274.14–$300.193
GA$259.62–$281.492
GU$295.331
HI$295.331
IA$254.841
ID$256.551
IL$267.35–$292.014
IN$257.911
KS$254.121
KY$256.051
LA$255.83–$267.502
MA$284.65–$312.412
MD$278.32–$313.293
ME$258.19–$270.602
MI$262.57–$277.722
MN$273.491
MO$252.02–$267.933
MS$249.251
MT$276.201
NC$260.631
ND$269.681
NE$256.021
NH$281.961
NJ$296.92–$310.502
NM$264.051
NV$274.561
NY$264.28–$324.315
OH$261.231
OK$255.221
OR$272.26–$294.122
PA$261.40–$287.112
PR$277.971
RI$282.501
SC$261.401
SD$268.911
TN$255.351
TX$259.84–$285.218
UT$264.701
VA$270.04–$313.292
VI$277.971
VT$269.051
WA$283.97–$318.152
WI$261.321
WV$258.271
WY$273.361

See 11603 in every payment locality

How the 11603 rate is calculated

Each of 11603’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 · 11603

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.75

2.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.19

5.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.33

0.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.2700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$276.23

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,343

Code
11603
Physician work
2.75
Practice expense
5.19
Malpractice
0.33

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 11603 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.75× 1.0542.8985
Practice expense5.19× 1.1786.1138
Malpractice0.33× 1.1130.3673
Total RVUs9.3796
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$313.29

Office: (2.75 × 1.054 + 5.19 × 1.178 + 0.33 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $313.29

Facility: (2.75 × 1.054 + 1.81 × 1.178 + 0.33 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $180.30

Open 11603 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 11603

11603 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 11603

Lesion excision, trunk or limb, 2.1–3 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 · 11603

Lesion excision, trunk or limb, 2.1–3 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

11603 without 51 · national office

$276.23

Lesion excision, trunk or limb, 2.1–3 cm

11603-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$138.12

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 11603

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

Codes related to 11603
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
11602Malignant lesion excision, trunk or extremity, 1.1–2 cmSame site group; for an excised diameter of 1.1–2 cm.$273.64
11604Malignant excision, trunk or extremity, 3.1–4 cmSame site group; for an excised diameter of 3.1–4 cm.$352.65
Used instead
11623Skin excision, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genital skinSame size level for malignant lesions on a different anatomic site group.$334.45
11643Malignant lesion excision, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lipsSame size level for malignant lesions on the face and specified related sites.$357.49
11403Benign lesion excision, trunk or limb, 2.1–3 cmComparable size and site group when the excised lesion is benign.$227.33
Often billed with
12032Intermediate repair, 2.6–7.5 cm, scalp/trunk/extremitiesMay be separately reported for a qualifying intermediate repair documented at the same encounter.$342.58

How 11603 has changed in Washington, DC area

11603 · Office / nonfacility

$313.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.76 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $310.53 to $313.29 (0.9%).

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

    $310.53changed to$313.29

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.82 changed to 2.75
    • Practice expense RVU 5.22 changed to 5.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $319.96changed to$310.53

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.23 changed to 5.22

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $314.74changed to$319.96

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $329.44changed to$314.74

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.20 changed to 5.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $336.21changed to$329.44

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.11 changed to 5.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $338.98changed to$336.21

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.12 changed to 5.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $335.67changed to$338.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.86 changed to 5.12
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $335.06changed to$335.67

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.82 changed to 4.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.32
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $336.45changed to$335.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.85 changed to 4.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $333.71changed to$336.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.80 changed to 4.85
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $332.08changed to$333.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.77 changed to 4.80
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $331.47changed to$332.08

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.76 changed to 4.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.44

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $329.82changed to$331.47

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $323.56changed to$329.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.65 changed to 4.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.41
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $329.97changed to$323.56

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.23 changed to 4.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $329.97

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$313.29$180.30RVU26D
2026-07-01$313.29$180.30RVU26C
2026-04-01$313.29$180.30RVU26B
2026-01-01$313.29$180.30RVU26A
2025-10-01$310.53$211.82RVU25D
2025-07-01$310.53$211.82RVU25C
2025-04-01$310.53$211.82RVU25B
2025-01-01$310.53$211.82RVU25A
2024-10-01$319.96$216.00RVU24D
2024-07-01$319.96$216.00RVU24C
2024-04-01$319.96$216.00RVU24B
2024-03-09$319.96$216.00RVU24AR
2024-01-01$314.74$212.48RVU24A
2023-10-01$329.44$221.24RVU23D
2023-07-01$329.44$221.24RVU23C
2023-04-01$329.44$221.24RVU23B
2023-01-01$329.44$221.24RVU23A
2022-10-01$336.21$223.71RVU22D
2022-07-01$336.21$223.71RVU22C
2022-04-01$336.21$223.71RVU22B
2022-01-01$336.21$223.71RVU22A
2021-10-01$338.98$223.82RVU21D
2021-07-01$338.98$223.82RVU21C
2021-04-01$338.98$223.82RVU21B
2021-01-01$338.98$223.82RVU21A
2020-10-01$335.67$227.26RVU20D
2020-07-01$335.67$227.26RVU20C
2020-04-01$335.67$227.26RVU20B
2020-01-01$335.67$227.26RVU20A
2019-10-01$335.06$229.10RVU19D
2019-07-01$335.06$229.10RVU19C
2019-04-01$335.06$229.10RVU19B
2019-01-01$335.06$229.10RVU19A
2018-10-01$336.45$229.74RVU18D
2018-07-01$336.45$229.74RVU18C
2018-04-01$336.45$229.74RVU18B
2018-01-01$336.45$229.74RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$333.71$229.49RVU17D
2017-07-01$333.71$229.49RVU17C
2017-04-01$333.71$229.49RVU17B
2017-01-01$333.71$229.49RVU17A
2016-10-01$332.08$228.10RVU16D
2016-07-01$332.08$228.10RVU16C
2016-04-01$332.08$228.10RVU16B
2016-01-01$332.08$228.10RVU16A
2015-10-01$331.47$227.98RVU15D
2015-07-01$331.47$227.98RVU15C
2015-04-01$329.82$226.84RVU15B
2015-01-01$329.82$226.84RVU15A
2014-10-01$323.56$222.80RVU14D
2014-07-01$323.56$222.80RVU14C
2014-04-01$323.56$222.80RVU14B
2014-01-01$323.56$222.80RVU14A
2013-10-01$329.97$221.14RVU13D
2013-07-01$329.97$221.14RVU13C
2013-04-01$329.97$221.14RVU13B
2013-01-01$329.97$221.14RVU13AR

Price 11603 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

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

11603 billing questions

How is the 2.1–3 cm size determined?

Use the greatest clinical diameter of the lesion plus the narrowest margins needed for excision, measured before removal. Do not select the size from the closure length.

When should a different site code be used?

This code is for the trunk, arms, and legs. Lesions on sites such as the face, ear, eyelid, nose, lip, hand, foot, or genitalia use their own anatomic code group.

Is closure separately reported?

Simple closure is included in the excision. A separately documented intermediate or complex repair may be reported when its requirements are met.

Can modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

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

What postoperative care is included?

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

How are multiple procedures in one session paid?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures performed in the same session are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.

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 11603PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,343 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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