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

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 New Mexico, Medicare pays $205.48 for 11920 in the office and $101.04 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$205.48Office (non-facility)
$101.04Hospital or facility
−5.1%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 New Mexico
  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 New Mexico 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. New Mexico pays $205.48. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

11920 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$205.48
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$243.75+$38.27
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$247.85+$42.37
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$237.08+$31.60
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$229.69+$24.21
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$250.33+$44.85
  7. Alaska · Alaska$248.51+$43.03

Other areas in New Mexico 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
ArkansasArkansas$190.10$92.26
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

11920 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.

$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 New Mexico 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

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 11920 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.57× 1.0001.5700
Practice expense4.63× 0.9174.2457
Malpractice0.28× 1.2010.3363
Total RVUs6.1520
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$205.48

Office: (1.57 × 1 + 4.63 × 0.917 + 0.28 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $205.48

Facility: (1.57 × 1 + 1.22 × 0.917 + 0.28 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $101.04

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

Codes related to 11920

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

Codes related to 11920
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Same family
11921Skin color correction, 6.1–20.0 sq cmSame pigment-correction service for a larger treated area, from 6.1 through 20 square centimeters.$222.63
11922Medical tattooing, additional treated areaAdditional-area code in the tattooing family, reported with 11921.$62.73

How 11920 has changed in New Mexico

11920 · Office / nonfacility

$205.48

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $21.69 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $183.79 to $205.48 (11.8%).

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

    $183.79changed to$205.48

    • 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 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $190.13changed to$183.79

    • 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

    $187.02changed to$190.13

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $184.07changed to$187.02

    • 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 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $188.16changed to$184.07

    • 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 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $186.28changed to$188.16

    • 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

    $183.03changed to$186.28

    • 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 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $176.92changed to$183.03

    • 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 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $170.42changed to$176.92

    • 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

    $166.75changed to$170.42

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.96 changed to 3.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $165.19changed to$166.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.96
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $166.78changed to$165.19

    • 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

    $165.95changed to$166.78

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $164.97changed to$165.95

    • 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 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $167.20changed to$164.97

    • 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 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $167.20

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$205.48$101.04RVU26D
2026-07-01$205.48$101.04RVU26C
2026-04-01$205.48$101.04RVU26B
2026-01-01$205.48$101.04RVU26A
2025-10-01$183.79$108.30RVU25D
2025-07-01$183.79$108.30RVU25C
2025-04-01$183.79$108.30RVU25B
2025-01-01$183.79$108.30RVU25A
2024-10-01$190.13$110.63RVU24D
2024-07-01$190.13$110.63RVU24C
2024-04-01$190.13$110.63RVU24B
2024-03-09$190.13$110.63RVU24AR
2024-01-01$187.02$108.83RVU24A
2023-10-01$184.07$106.73RVU23D
2023-07-01$184.07$106.73RVU23C
2023-04-01$184.07$106.73RVU23B
2023-01-01$184.07$106.73RVU23A
2022-10-01$188.16$108.16RVU22D
2022-07-01$188.16$108.16RVU22C
2022-04-01$188.16$108.16RVU22B
2022-01-01$188.16$108.16RVU22A
2021-10-01$186.28$109.06RVU21D
2021-07-01$186.28$109.06RVU21C
2021-04-01$186.28$109.06RVU21B
2021-01-01$186.28$109.06RVU21A
2020-10-01$183.03$114.21RVU20D
2020-07-01$183.03$114.21RVU20C
2020-04-01$183.03$114.21RVU20B
2020-01-01$183.03$114.21RVU20A
2019-10-01$176.92$115.18RVU19D
2019-07-01$176.92$115.18RVU19C
2019-04-01$176.92$115.18RVU19B
2019-01-01$176.92$115.18RVU19A
2018-10-01$170.42$116.38RVU18D
2018-07-01$170.42$116.38RVU18C
2018-04-01$170.42$116.38RVU18B
2018-01-01$170.42$116.38RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$166.75$115.24RVU17D
2017-07-01$166.75$115.24RVU17C
2017-04-01$166.75$115.24RVU17B
2017-01-01$166.75$115.24RVU17A
2016-10-01$165.19$114.19RVU16D
2016-07-01$165.19$114.19RVU16C
2016-04-01$165.19$114.19RVU16B
2016-01-01$165.19$114.19RVU16A
2015-10-01$166.78$114.93RVU15D
2015-07-01$166.78$114.93RVU15C
2015-04-01$165.95$114.36RVU15B
2015-01-01$165.95$114.36RVU15A
2014-10-01$164.97$114.98RVU14D
2014-07-01$164.97$114.98RVU14C
2014-04-01$164.97$114.98RVU14B
2014-01-01$164.97$114.98RVU14A
2013-10-01$167.20$112.98RVU13D
2013-07-01$167.20$112.98RVU13C
2013-04-01$167.20$112.98RVU13B
2013-01-01$167.20$112.98RVU13AR

Price 11920 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

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 New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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