CPT code 11920: Skin tattooing, up to 6 square centimeters2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Arkansas

Reports intradermal pigment placement to camouflage a skin color defect when the treated area measures 6 square centimeters or less.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality65 Medicare services in 2024

In Arkansas, Medicare pays $190.10 for 11920 in the office and $92.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$190.10Office (non-facility)
$92.26Hospital or facility
−12.2%vs the national office rate ($216.44)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11920 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 11920 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Arkansas
  2. What 11920 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 11920 covers

This service places insoluble pigment within the skin to improve the appearance of a color difference, such as a hypopigmented or hyperpigmented scar. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons may perform it in an office or other treatment setting. The treated surface area, rather than the number of pigment passes, determines whether this small-area code fits. Tattooing used to create or restore color is distinct from injecting medication into a lesion or placing filler beneath the skin.

Report this code when the total area treated is 6 square centimeters or less; document the defect, treated site, and measured area. Medicare payment is restricted to specific circumstances. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 Arkansas compares for 11920

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11920 runs from $190.10 in Arkansas to $286.22 in San Benito County, CA. Arkansas pays $190.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

11920 in Arkansas vs other payment areas
  1. Arkansas · this page$190.10
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$243.75+$53.65
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$247.85+$57.75
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$237.08+$46.98
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$229.69+$39.59
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$250.33+$60.23
  7. Alaska · Alaska$248.51+$58.41

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

Every other payment area

11920 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$193.05$93.39
ArizonaArizona$210.30$99.93
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$228.62$103.79
Chico, CACalifornia$227.84$103.00
El Centro, CACalifornia$227.88$103.05
Fresno, CACalifornia$227.84$103.00
Hanford, CACalifornia$227.84$103.00
Madera, CACalifornia$227.84$103.00

11920 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.

$190.10

$257.03

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

View every state and territory as a table
11920 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$248.511
AL$193.051
AR$190.101
AZ$210.301
CA$227.84–$286.2229
CO$224.921
CT$231.361
DC$247.851
DE$213.901
FL$214.34–$237.083
GA$201.53–$220.952
GU$233.691
HI$233.691
IA$197.651
ID$199.141
IL$208.25–$229.694
IN$200.341
KS$196.951
KY$198.481
LA$198.26–$208.592
MA$223.57–$247.562
MD$218.05–$247.853
ME$200.53–$211.602
MI$204.19–$217.442
MN$214.341
MO$194.85–$209.033
MS$192.501
MT$216.421
NC$202.701
ND$210.881
NE$198.711
NH$221.611
NJ$233.67–$245.122
NM$205.481
NV$215.031
NY$205.93–$257.045
OH$203.061
OK$197.811
OR$213.04–$232.052
PA$203.24–$225.532
PR$218.001
RI$221.531
SC$203.281
SD$210.231
TN$198.031
TX$201.86–$224.458
UT$206.211
VA$211.06–$247.852
VI$218.001
VT$210.271
WA$223.08–$252.452
WI$203.471
WV$200.211
WY$214.011

See 11920 in every payment locality

How the 11920 rate is calculated

Each of 11920’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 · 11920

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.57

1.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.63

4.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.28

0.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.4800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$216.44

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

The exact Arkansas inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,381

Code
11920
Physician work
1.57
Practice expense
4.63
Malpractice
0.28

GPCI2026.csv

7

Locality
Arkansas
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.859
Malpractice
0.515
Office calculation for 11920 in Arkansas
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.57× 1.0001.5700
Practice expense4.63× 0.8593.9772
Malpractice0.28× 0.5150.1442
Total RVUs5.6914
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Arkansas$190.10

Office: (1.57 × 1 + 4.63 × 0.859 + 0.28 × 0.515) × $33.4009 = $190.10

Facility: (1.57 × 1 + 1.22 × 0.859 + 0.28 × 0.515) × $33.4009 = $92.26

Open 11920 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 11920

The CMS indicators that decide how 11920 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 11920

Skin tattooing, up to 6 square centimeters

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

11920 without 51 · national office

$216.44

Skin tattooing, up to 6 square centimeters

11920-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$108.22

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 11920 has changed in Arkansas

11920 · Office / nonfacility

$190.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $18.83 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $171.27 to $190.10 (11.0%).

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

    $171.27changed to$190.10

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.61 changed to 1.57
    • Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 4.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.860 changed to 0.859
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.515

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $177.00changed to$171.27

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.13 changed to 4.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $174.11changed to$177.00

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $171.63changed to$174.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.90 changed to 4.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.860
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $174.96changed to$171.63

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.92 changed to 3.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.847 changed to 0.853
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.465 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $173.16changed to$174.96

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.92

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $170.01changed to$173.16

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.44 changed to 3.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.859 changed to 0.847
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.521 changed to 0.465

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $164.93changed to$170.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.23 changed to 3.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.859
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.576 changed to 0.521

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $158.78changed to$164.93

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 3.23

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $155.38changed to$158.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.96 changed to 3.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.872
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.555 changed to 0.576

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $153.88changed to$155.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.96
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.867 changed to 0.870
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.534 changed to 0.555

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $155.37changed to$153.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.94

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $154.60changed to$155.37

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $153.24changed to$154.60

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.867
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.534

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $155.76changed to$153.24

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 2.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.865 changed to 0.866
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.450 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $155.76

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$190.10$92.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$190.10$92.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$190.10$92.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$190.10$92.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$171.27$99.78RVU25D
2025-07-01$171.27$99.78RVU25C
2025-04-01$171.27$99.78RVU25B
2025-01-01$171.27$99.78RVU25A
2024-10-01$177.00$101.71RVU24D
2024-07-01$177.00$101.71RVU24C
2024-04-01$177.00$101.71RVU24B
2024-03-09$177.00$101.71RVU24AR
2024-01-01$174.11$100.05RVU24A
2023-10-01$171.63$98.49RVU23D
2023-07-01$171.63$98.49RVU23C
2023-04-01$171.63$98.49RVU23B
2023-01-01$171.63$98.49RVU23A
2022-10-01$174.96$99.34RVU22D
2022-07-01$174.96$99.34RVU22C
2022-04-01$174.96$99.34RVU22B
2022-01-01$174.96$99.34RVU22A
2021-10-01$173.16$100.16RVU21D
2021-07-01$173.16$100.16RVU21C
2021-04-01$173.16$100.16RVU21B
2021-01-01$173.16$100.16RVU21A
2020-10-01$170.01$104.91RVU20D
2020-07-01$170.01$104.91RVU20C
2020-04-01$170.01$104.91RVU20B
2020-01-01$170.01$104.91RVU20A
2019-10-01$164.93$106.47RVU19D
2019-07-01$164.93$106.47RVU19C
2019-04-01$164.93$106.47RVU19B
2019-01-01$164.93$106.47RVU19A
2018-10-01$158.78$107.61RVU18D
2018-07-01$158.78$107.61RVU18C
2018-04-01$158.78$107.61RVU18B
2018-01-01$158.78$107.61RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$155.38$106.67RVU17D
2017-07-01$155.38$106.67RVU17C
2017-04-01$155.38$106.67RVU17B
2017-01-01$155.38$106.67RVU17A
2016-10-01$153.88$105.76RVU16D
2016-07-01$153.88$105.76RVU16C
2016-04-01$153.88$105.76RVU16B
2016-01-01$153.88$105.76RVU16A
2015-10-01$155.37$106.46RVU15D
2015-07-01$155.37$106.46RVU15C
2015-04-01$154.60$105.93RVU15B
2015-01-01$154.60$105.93RVU15A
2014-10-01$153.24$106.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$153.24$106.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$153.24$106.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$153.24$106.08RVU14A
2013-10-01$155.76$104.55RVU13D
2013-07-01$155.76$104.55RVU13C
2013-04-01$155.76$104.55RVU13B
2013-01-01$155.76$104.55RVU13AR

Price 11920 for an earlier date of service

Where the Arkansas rate applies

Arkansas is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 626 cities and communities in Arkansas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acorn
  • Adona
  • Alexander
  • Alicia
  • Alix
  • Alleene
  • Allport
  • Alma

Browse all communities in Arkansas

11920 billing questions

How is this code distinguished from 11921?

Use 11920 for a treated area of 6 square centimeters or less. Code 11921 is for an area from 6.1 through 20 square centimeters.

How is the treated area counted?

Select the code based on the surface area receiving pigment, not the number of lesions, pigment passes, or separate needle placements. Document the measured area and the skin site.

Can 11922 be reported with this code?

11922 is an add-on for additional area beyond the primary tattooing range; it is reported with 11921 when the total area exceeds 20 square centimeters, not with 11920 alone.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for treatment on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this descriptor or anatomy. Report the service based on the total treated area.

What does the 0-day global period include?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. No postoperative global days extend beyond the date of service.

What documentation supports Medicare payment?

Document the skin color defect, its location, the area treated in square centimeters, and the medical circumstances supporting the service. Medicare payment is restricted to specific circumstances.

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 11920PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,381 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ArkansasGPCI2026.csv, line 7 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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