CPT code 11644: Malignant lesion excision, face and related sites, 3.1-4 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $392.79 for 11644 nationally in the office and $239.82 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $350.55–$501.65.

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

What 11644 covers

This code covers excision of a malignant skin lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips, including the margins taken around it. Dermatologists commonly perform these procedures in an office or outpatient setting; plastic surgeons and ophthalmologists may perform them for lesions in their respective areas. The size category is based on the lesion’s greatest diameter plus the narrowest margins needed for complete removal, measured before excision—not the resulting wound or specimen after removal.

Report the code when the documented site and excised diameter including margins fit this category. Record the lesion location, measurement, and malignant diagnosis; pathology findings can support the diagnosis. Simple closure is included, while a separately documented intermediate or complex repair may be reported separately. 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 others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily 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.

Where 11644 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

11644 rates by state

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

How the 11644 rate is calculated

Each of 11644’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 11644

11644 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

11644 compared with similar codes

How to choose

11643Malignant lesion excisionFace, ears, eyelids, nose, lips

Both cover the face, ears, eyelids, nose, and lips. Use 11644 for a lesion plus margins measuring 3.1-4 cm; 11643 covers the smaller band.

11646Malignant lesion excisionFace and related sites, over 4 cm

The anatomic sites are the same, but 11646 applies when the lesion plus margins exceeds 4 cm.

11604Malignant excisionTrunk or extremity, 3.1–4 cm

The size band is the same, but 11604 is for the trunk, arms, or legs rather than the face and related sites.

11624Skin excision3.1–4 cm excised diameter

The size band is the same, but 11624 is for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.

Codes related to 11644

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

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