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CPT code 12004: Simple wound repair, nonfacial sites, 7.6–12.5 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports simple closure of a superficial wound at specified nonfacial sites when the combined repaired length is 7.6 to 12.5 cm.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality19.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $184.31 for 12004 in the office and $78.47 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$184.31Office (non-facility)
$78.47Hospital or facility
+13.8%vs the national office rate ($161.99)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 12004 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 12004 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 12004 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 12004 covers

This code covers closure of a superficial wound without layered repair of deeper tissue. The site group includes the scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and extremities; wounds of the face have a separate code series. A clinician typically cleans and prepares the wound, uses local anesthesia as needed, and closes the skin with sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive. These repairs commonly occur in emergency departments, urgent care, and office settings, performed by emergency, primary care, or surgical clinicians.

Select the code by the eligible site group and the combined length of simple repairs in that group, not by the number of wounds or closure materials. Document each wound’s site, length, depth, and repair method. 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 for this code; assistant-at-surgery services are not paid, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 12004

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 12004 runs from $141.95 in Arkansas to $208.08 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $184.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

12004 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$184.31
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$179.28−$5.03
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$183.12−$1.19
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$177.12−$7.19
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$188.33+$4.02
  6. Alaska · Alaska$187.20+$2.89
  7. Alabama · Alabama$144.18−$40.13

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

Every other payment area

12004 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$141.95$64.78
ArizonaArizona$157.18$70.11
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$168.58$70.10
Chico, CACalifornia$167.68$69.21
El Centro, CACalifornia$167.73$69.26
Fresno, CACalifornia$167.68$69.21
Hanford, CACalifornia$167.68$69.21
Madera, CACalifornia$167.68$69.21

12004 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.

$141.95

$187.88

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

View every state and territory as a table
12004 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$187.201
AL$144.181
AR$141.951
AZ$157.181
CA$167.68–$208.0829
CO$166.811
CT$173.271
DC$184.311
DE$159.861
FL$162.95–$183.123
GA$152.86–$166.022
GU$171.631
HI$171.631
IA$146.491
ID$147.851
IL$159.13–$177.124
IN$148.721
KS$146.521
KY$149.491
LA$149.55–$157.342
MA$166.03–$182.922
MD$162.81–$184.313
ME$149.49–$156.992
MI$154.35–$165.912
MN$157.261
MO$147.33–$157.013
MS$144.631
MT$161.971
NC$151.031
ND$155.451
NE$147.111
NH$164.891
NJ$174.52–$182.362
NM$155.561
NV$160.261
NY$153.51–$194.135
OH$153.021
OK$148.391
OR$158.30–$171.492
PA$152.84–$169.242
PR$162.981
RI$165.131
SC$152.421
SD$154.681
TN$147.411
TX$151.83–$166.888
UT$154.621
VA$156.98–$184.312
VI$162.981
VT$155.511
WA$165.49–$185.972
WI$149.991
WV$153.091
WY$159.131

See 12004 in every payment locality

How the 12004 rate is calculated

Each of 12004’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 · 12004

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.40

1.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.12

3.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.33

0.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.8500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$161.99

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

1,398

Code
12004
Physician work
1.40
Practice expense
3.12
Malpractice
0.33

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 12004 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.40× 1.0541.4756
Practice expense3.12× 1.1783.6754
Malpractice0.33× 1.1130.3673
Total RVUs5.5182
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$184.31

Office: (1.4 × 1.054 + 3.12 × 1.178 + 0.33 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $184.31

Facility: (1.4 × 1.054 + 0.43 × 1.178 + 0.33 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $78.47

Open 12004 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 12004

The CMS indicators that decide how 12004 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 12004

Simple wound repair, nonfacial sites, 7.6–12.5 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

12004 without 51 · national office

$161.99

Simple wound repair, nonfacial sites, 7.6–12.5 cm

12004-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$81.00

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 12004

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

Codes related to 12004
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
12001Simple wound repair, 2.5 cm or lessSimple repair in the same site group for a shorter combined length.$130.38
12002Wound repair, simple, 2.6–7.5 cmSimple repair in the same site group for a shorter combined length.$158.96
12005Simple wound repair, 12.6–20.0 cmSimple repair in the same site group for a longer combined length.$239.78
Used instead
12015Simple wound repair, face and related sites, 7.6-12.5 cmSimple repair for the facial, ear, eyelid, nose, lip, or mucosal site group.$239.33
12031Wound repair, scalp, trunk, or extremityIntermediate repair for a shorter wound length in a related site group.$297.54
12034Wound repair, intermediate, 7.6–12.5 cmIntermediate repair for a similar length range in a related site group.$381.39

How 12004 has changed in Washington, DC area

12004 · Office / nonfacility

$184.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $36.97 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $147.34 to $184.31 (25.1%).

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

    $147.34changed to$184.31

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.44 changed to 1.40
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 3.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 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

    $152.41changed to$147.34

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.28 changed to 2.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $149.92changed to$152.41

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $155.77changed to$149.92

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.26 changed to 2.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.29
    • 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

    $158.72changed to$155.77

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.26
    • 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

    $158.72changed to$158.72

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.18 changed to 2.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $154.21changed to$158.72

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 2.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • 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

    $148.85changed to$154.21

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.27
    • 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

    $151.73changed to$148.85

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.05 changed to 1.98

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $148.91changed to$151.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 2.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $148.78changed to$148.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • 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

    $150.21changed to$148.78

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 1.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $149.46changed to$150.21

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $147.63changed to$149.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.94 changed to 1.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.21
    • 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

    $149.48changed to$147.63

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.18 changed to 1.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • 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: $149.48

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$184.31$78.47RVU26D
2026-07-01$184.31$78.47RVU26C
2026-04-01$184.31$78.47RVU26B
2026-01-01$184.31$78.47RVU26A
2025-10-01$147.34$77.93RVU25D
2025-07-01$147.34$77.93RVU25C
2025-04-01$147.34$77.93RVU25B
2025-01-01$147.34$77.93RVU25A
2024-10-01$152.41$80.59RVU24D
2024-07-01$152.41$80.59RVU24C
2024-04-01$152.41$80.59RVU24B
2024-03-09$152.41$80.59RVU24AR
2024-01-01$149.92$79.28RVU24A
2023-10-01$155.77$81.72RVU23D
2023-07-01$155.77$81.72RVU23C
2023-04-01$155.77$81.72RVU23B
2023-01-01$155.77$81.72RVU23A
2022-10-01$158.72$83.43RVU22D
2022-07-01$158.72$83.43RVU22C
2022-04-01$158.72$83.43RVU22B
2022-01-01$158.72$83.43RVU22A
2021-10-01$158.72$83.68RVU21D
2021-07-01$158.72$83.68RVU21C
2021-04-01$158.72$83.68RVU21B
2021-01-01$158.72$83.68RVU21A
2020-10-01$154.21$86.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$154.21$86.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$154.21$86.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$154.21$86.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$148.85$82.84RVU19D
2019-07-01$148.85$82.84RVU19C
2019-04-01$148.85$82.84RVU19B
2019-01-01$148.85$82.84RVU19A
2018-10-01$151.73$82.75RVU18D
2018-07-01$151.73$82.75RVU18C
2018-04-01$151.73$82.75RVU18B
2018-01-01$151.73$82.75RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$148.91$83.18RVU17D
2017-07-01$148.91$83.18RVU17C
2017-04-01$148.91$83.18RVU17B
2017-01-01$148.91$83.18RVU17A
2016-10-01$148.78$82.77RVU16D
2016-07-01$148.78$82.77RVU16C
2016-04-01$148.78$82.77RVU16B
2016-01-01$148.78$82.77RVU16A
2015-10-01$150.21$83.53RVU15D
2015-07-01$150.21$83.53RVU15C
2015-04-01$149.46$83.11RVU15B
2015-01-01$149.46$83.11RVU15A
2014-10-01$147.63$83.47RVU14D
2014-07-01$147.63$83.47RVU14C
2014-04-01$147.63$83.47RVU14B
2014-01-01$147.63$83.47RVU14A
2013-10-01$149.48$81.00RVU13D
2013-07-01$149.48$81.00RVU13C
2013-04-01$149.48$81.00RVU13B
2013-01-01$149.48$81.00RVU13AR

Price 12004 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

12004 billing questions

How is the length selected when there are multiple wounds?

Add the lengths of simple repairs in the same anatomical grouping and select the applicable length range. Keep documentation of each wound’s location and length.

When should 12002 or 12005 be reported instead?

Use 12002 for a shorter combined repair length in this site group and 12005 for a longer one. The site group and simple-repair method remain the same.

Can this code be used for a layered closure?

No. This code describes simple closure; a repair requiring layered closure may fit an intermediate-repair code when its site and length criteria are met.

Is local anesthesia separately reported?

Local anesthesia used for the wound closure is part of the repair service, rather than a separate service under this code.

How does Medicare handle another procedure performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

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 12004PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,398 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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