CPT code 12002: Wound repair, simple, 2.6–7.5 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports simple, one-layer closure of a 2.6–7.5 cm superficial wound on the scalp, neck, trunk, axilla, external genitalia, or extremities.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality122.5K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $130.08 for 12002 in the office and $53.73 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$130.08Office (non-facility)
$53.73Hospital or facility
−6.6%vs the national office rate ($139.28)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 12002 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 12002 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 12002 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 12002 covers

12002 covers simple closure of a superficial wound with a single layer of sutures, staples, or another closure method. The repair is appropriate when the wound involves skin and superficial tissue without the layered closure or other features that call for an intermediate repair. Common settings include an emergency department, urgent care clinic, or office, with the closure performed by a physician or other treating clinician. Eligible sites include the scalp, neck, axilla, external genitalia, trunk, and extremities, including hands and feet.

Select the code using the combined length of qualifying simple wounds in the same anatomic grouping; document each wound’s site, length, and repair method. The total must fall from 2.6 through 7.5 cm. Medicare assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to a 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 North Carolina compares for 12002

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 12002 runs from $122.11 in Arkansas to $181.27 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $130.08. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

12002 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$130.08
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$155.35+$25.27
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$158.96+$28.88
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$155.40+$25.32
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$150.39+$20.31
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$161.61+$31.53
  7. Alaska · Alaska$160.34+$30.26

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

Every other payment area

12002 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$124.03$52.43
ArkansasArkansas$122.11$51.82
ArizonaArizona$135.21$55.91
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$145.89$56.21
Chico, CACalifornia$145.23$55.55
El Centro, CACalifornia$145.27$55.59
Fresno, CACalifornia$145.23$55.55
Hanford, CACalifornia$145.23$55.55

12002 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.

$122.11

$163.25

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

View every state and territory as a table
12002 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$160.341
AL$124.031
AR$122.111
AZ$135.211
CA$145.23–$181.2729
CO$144.001
CT$148.961
DC$158.961
DE$137.531
FL$139.17–$155.403
GA$130.65–$142.512
GU$148.811
HI$148.811
IA$126.441
ID$127.521
IL$135.60–$150.394
IN$128.291
KS$126.261
KY$128.151
LA$128.11–$134.812
MA$143.24–$158.192
MD$140.13–$158.963
ME$128.72–$135.482
MI$132.12–$141.482
MN$136.371
MO$126.08–$134.783
MS$124.101
MT$139.271
NC$130.081
ND$134.521
NE$127.041
NH$142.141
NJ$150.21–$157.232
NM$133.081
NV$138.041
NY$132.19–$166.335
OH$131.151
OK$127.421
OR$136.52–$148.282
PA$131.12–$145.362
PR$140.201
RI$142.231
SC$130.921
SD$133.961
TN$127.001
TX$130.24–$143.918
UT$132.811
VA$135.32–$158.962
VI$140.201
VT$134.381
WA$142.84–$161.052
WI$129.781
WV$130.401
WY$137.201

See 12002 in every payment locality

How the 12002 rate is calculated

Each of 12002’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 · 12002

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.11

1.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.82

2.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.1700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$139.28

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,397

Code
12002
Physician work
1.11
Practice expense
2.82
Malpractice
0.24

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 12002 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.11× 1.0001.1100
Practice expense2.82× 0.9332.6311
Malpractice0.24× 0.6390.1534
Total RVUs3.8944
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$130.08

Office: (1.11 × 1 + 2.82 × 0.933 + 0.24 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $130.08

Facility: (1.11 × 1 + 0.37 × 0.933 + 0.24 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $53.73

Open 12002 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 12002

The CMS indicators that decide how 12002 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 12002

Wound repair, simple, 2.6–7.5 cm

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)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
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

12002 without 51 · national office

$139.28

Wound repair, simple, 2.6–7.5 cm

12002-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$69.64

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 12002 has changed in North Carolina

12002 · Office / nonfacility

$130.08

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $26.47 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $103.61 to $130.08 (25.5%).

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

    $103.61changed to$130.08

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.14 changed to 1.11
    • Practice expense RVU 2.07 changed to 2.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $106.93changed to$103.61

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.08 changed to 2.07

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $105.19changed to$106.93

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $108.87changed to$105.19

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 2.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $110.24changed to$108.87

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 2.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $110.22changed to$110.24

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $107.57changed to$110.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.80 changed to 1.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $104.90changed to$107.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.79 changed to 1.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $107.13changed to$104.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.86 changed to 1.79

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $104.66changed to$107.13

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.79 changed to 1.86
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $104.21changed to$104.66

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.78 changed to 1.79
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $105.20changed to$104.21

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.79 changed to 1.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $104.67changed to$105.20

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $103.46changed to$104.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.74 changed to 1.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $105.10changed to$103.46

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 1.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $105.10

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$130.08$53.73RVU26D
2026-07-01$130.08$53.73RVU26C
2026-04-01$130.08$53.73RVU26B
2026-01-01$130.08$53.73RVU26A
2025-10-01$103.61$53.59RVU25D
2025-07-01$103.61$53.59RVU25C
2025-04-01$103.61$53.59RVU25B
2025-01-01$103.61$53.59RVU25A
2024-10-01$106.93$55.15RVU24D
2024-07-01$106.93$55.15RVU24C
2024-04-01$106.93$55.15RVU24B
2024-03-09$106.93$55.15RVU24AR
2024-01-01$105.19$54.25RVU24A
2023-10-01$108.87$56.41RVU23D
2023-07-01$108.87$56.41RVU23C
2023-04-01$108.87$56.41RVU23B
2023-01-01$108.87$56.41RVU23A
2022-10-01$110.24$57.89RVU22D
2022-07-01$110.24$57.89RVU22C
2022-04-01$110.24$57.89RVU22B
2022-01-01$110.24$57.89RVU22A
2021-10-01$110.22$57.76RVU21D
2021-07-01$110.22$57.76RVU21C
2021-04-01$110.22$57.76RVU21B
2021-01-01$110.22$57.76RVU21A
2020-10-01$107.57$59.57RVU20D
2020-07-01$107.57$59.57RVU20C
2020-04-01$107.57$59.57RVU20B
2020-01-01$107.57$59.57RVU20A
2019-10-01$104.90$57.59RVU19D
2019-07-01$104.90$57.59RVU19C
2019-04-01$104.90$57.59RVU19B
2019-01-01$104.90$57.59RVU19A
2018-10-01$107.13$57.86RVU18D
2018-07-01$107.13$57.86RVU18C
2018-04-01$107.13$57.86RVU18B
2018-01-01$107.13$57.86RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$104.66$57.88RVU17D
2017-07-01$104.66$57.88RVU17C
2017-04-01$104.66$57.88RVU17B
2017-01-01$104.66$57.88RVU17A
2016-10-01$104.21$57.59RVU16D
2016-07-01$104.21$57.59RVU16C
2016-04-01$104.21$57.59RVU16B
2016-01-01$104.21$57.59RVU16A
2015-10-01$105.20$58.08RVU15D
2015-07-01$105.20$58.08RVU15C
2015-04-01$104.67$57.79RVU15B
2015-01-01$104.67$57.79RVU15A
2014-10-01$103.46$58.20RVU14D
2014-07-01$103.46$58.20RVU14C
2014-04-01$103.46$58.20RVU14B
2014-01-01$103.46$58.20RVU14A
2013-10-01$105.10$56.53RVU13D
2013-07-01$105.10$56.53RVU13C
2013-04-01$105.10$56.53RVU13B
2013-01-01$105.10$56.53RVU13AR

Price 12002 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

12002 billing questions

How is 12002 distinguished from 12001 or 12004?

Use the combined length of the qualifying simple repairs in the same anatomic grouping: 12001 covers 2.5 cm or less, 12002 covers 2.6–7.5 cm, and 12004 covers 7.6–12.5 cm.

Can lengths of multiple wounds be added together?

Yes, when the wounds are simple repairs in the same anatomic grouping. Document each wound’s location and length; do not combine wounds from different groupings to reach this code’s range.

When should an intermediate repair be reported instead?

Use an intermediate repair code when the closure involves qualifying layered repair or other features that make the repair more than simple. For the same 2.6–7.5 cm length range and relevant site grouping, compare 12032.

Should modifier 50 be appended for wounds on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for 12002; do not report modifier 50 for this code.

How does Medicare handle 12002 with another procedure in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures 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 12002PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,397 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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