CPT code 12046: Intermediate repair, 20.1–30 cm, specified sites2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Report this code for intermediate layered closure of wounds totaling 20.1–30 cm on the neck, hands, feet, or external genitalia.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality76 Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $522.65 for 12046 in the office and $297.36 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$522.65Office (non-facility)
$297.36Hospital or facility
−6.2%vs the national office rate ($557.13)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 12046 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 12046 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 12046 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 12046 covers

This code describes intermediate repair of one or more wounds on the neck, hands, feet, or external genitalia, when their reportable lengths total 20.1–30 cm. The closure includes repair of deeper tissue, such as subcutaneous tissue or superficial fascia, as well as skin. Physicians and other qualified practitioners may perform these repairs in settings such as an emergency department or operating room, often after trauma or excision leaves a wound requiring layered closure.

Select the code from the documented repair complexity, anatomical grouping, and total repaired length. Record each wound’s location and length and the layers closed; combine lengths only as permitted within the applicable repair group. This code has a 10-day global period, including related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others 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 South Carolina compares for 12046

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 12046 runs from $485.44 in Arkansas to $723.02 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $522.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

12046 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$522.65
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$619.79+$97.14
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$636.51+$113.86
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$629.90+$107.25
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$608.45+$85.80
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$649.53+$126.88
  7. Alaska · Alaska$634.99+$112.34

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

Every other payment area

12046 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$493.42$280.07
ArkansasArkansas$485.44$275.99
ArizonaArizona$539.97$303.70
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$581.62$314.38
Chico, CACalifornia$578.61$311.37
El Centro, CACalifornia$578.79$311.56
Fresno, CACalifornia$578.61$311.37
Hanford, CACalifornia$578.61$311.37

12046 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.

$485.44

$650.82

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

View every state and territory as a table
12046 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$634.991
AL$493.421
AR$485.441
AZ$539.971
CA$578.61–$723.0229
CO$574.921
CT$597.021
DC$636.511
DE$549.491
FL$559.23–$629.903
GA$523.29–$571.142
GU$593.411
HI$593.411
IA$502.291
ID$507.031
IL$545.15–$608.454
IN$510.181
KS$502.111
KY$511.791
LA$511.88–$539.812
MA$571.90–$632.422
MD$560.02–$636.513
ME$512.60–$539.912
MI$528.91–$569.502
MN$541.801
MO$503.75–$538.973
MS$494.581
MT$557.051
NC$518.181
ND$534.911
NE$504.621
NH$568.021
NJ$601.29–$629.252
NM$533.131
NV$551.261
NY$527.03–$669.925
OH$524.391
OK$508.151
OR$544.50–$591.942
PA$523.93–$582.442
PR$560.741
RI$568.281
SC$522.651
SD$532.291
TN$505.251
TX$520.29–$575.178
UT$530.531
VA$539.67–$636.512
VI$560.741
VT$534.851
WA$570.13–$643.492
WI$515.291
WV$523.501
WY$547.401

See 12046 in every payment locality

How the 12046 rate is calculated

Each of 12046’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 · 12046

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.19

4.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense11.37

11.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.12

1.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

16.6800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$557.13

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

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,422

Code
12046
Physician work
4.19
Practice expense
11.37
Malpractice
1.12

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 12046 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.19× 1.0004.1900
Practice expense11.37× 0.92410.5059
Malpractice1.12× 0.8500.9520
Total RVUs15.6479
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$522.65

Office: (4.19 × 1 + 11.37 × 0.924 + 1.12 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $522.65

Facility: (4.19 × 1 + 4.07 × 0.924 + 1.12 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $297.36

Open 12046 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 12046

12046 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 12046

Intermediate repair, 20.1–30 cm, specified sites

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 12046

Intermediate repair, 20.1–30 cm, specified sites

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

12046 without 51 · national office

$557.13

Intermediate repair, 20.1–30 cm, specified sites

12046-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$278.57

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 12046 has changed in South Carolina

12046 · Office / nonfacility

$522.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $70.09 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $452.56 to $522.65 (15.5%).

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

    $452.56changed to$522.65

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.30 changed to 4.19
    • Practice expense RVU 9.63 changed to 11.37
    • Malpractice RVU 1.10 changed to 1.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $466.87changed to$452.56

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.65 changed to 9.63
    • Malpractice RVU 1.12 changed to 1.10

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $459.25changed to$466.87

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $470.31changed to$459.25

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 1.08 changed to 1.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $478.77changed to$470.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.72 changed to 9.65
    • Malpractice RVU 1.09 changed to 1.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $479.95changed to$478.77

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.67 changed to 9.72
    • Malpractice RVU 1.04 changed to 1.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $463.71changed to$479.95

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 9.67
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $455.07changed to$463.71

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.50 changed to 8.71
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. July 1, 2019

    RVU19C

    $454.27changed to$455.07

    • Malpractice RVU 1.00 changed to 1.04

    Held through RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $450.10changed to$454.27

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.37 changed to 8.50
    • Malpractice RVU 1.03 changed to 1.00

    Held through RVU19B.

  11. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $445.76changed to$450.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.23 changed to 8.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 1.03
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  12. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $449.53changed to$445.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.26 changed to 8.23
    • Malpractice RVU 1.01 changed to 0.97
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  13. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $454.29changed to$449.53

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.34 changed to 8.26
    • Malpractice RVU 1.03 changed to 1.01

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  14. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $452.03changed to$454.29

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  15. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $442.29changed to$452.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.29 changed to 8.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 1.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  16. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $501.36changed to$442.29

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.00 changed to 8.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.84 changed to 0.80
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $501.36

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$522.65$297.36RVU26D
2026-07-01$522.65$297.36RVU26C
2026-04-01$522.65$297.36RVU26B
2026-01-01$522.65$297.36RVU26A
2025-10-01$452.56$293.38RVU25D
2025-07-01$452.56$293.38RVU25C
2025-04-01$452.56$293.38RVU25B
2025-01-01$452.56$293.38RVU25A
2024-10-01$466.87$300.02RVU24D
2024-07-01$466.87$300.02RVU24C
2024-04-01$466.87$300.02RVU24B
2024-03-09$466.87$300.02RVU24AR
2024-01-01$459.25$295.13RVU24A
2023-10-01$470.31$299.85RVU23D
2023-07-01$470.31$299.85RVU23C
2023-04-01$470.31$299.85RVU23B
2023-01-01$470.31$299.85RVU23A
2022-10-01$478.77$302.21RVU22D
2022-07-01$478.77$302.21RVU22C
2022-04-01$478.77$302.21RVU22B
2022-01-01$478.77$302.21RVU22A
2021-10-01$479.95$300.98RVU21D
2021-07-01$479.95$300.98RVU21C
2021-04-01$479.95$300.98RVU21B
2021-01-01$479.95$300.98RVU21A
2020-10-01$463.71$301.03RVU20D
2020-07-01$463.71$301.03RVU20C
2020-04-01$463.71$301.03RVU20B
2020-01-01$463.71$301.03RVU20A
2019-10-01$455.07$296.32RVU19D
2019-07-01$455.07$296.32RVU19C
2019-04-01$454.27$295.52RVU19B
2019-01-01$454.27$295.52RVU19A
2018-10-01$450.10$294.81RVU18D
2018-07-01$450.10$294.81RVU18C
2018-04-01$450.10$294.81RVU18B
2018-01-01$450.10$294.81RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$445.76$295.20RVU17D
2017-07-01$445.76$295.20RVU17C
2017-04-01$445.76$295.20RVU17B
2017-01-01$445.76$295.20RVU17A
2016-10-01$449.53$298.02RVU16D
2016-07-01$449.53$298.02RVU16C
2016-04-01$449.53$298.02RVU16B
2016-01-01$449.53$298.02RVU16A
2015-10-01$454.29$299.61RVU15D
2015-07-01$454.29$299.61RVU15C
2015-04-01$452.03$298.12RVU15B
2015-01-01$452.03$298.12RVU15A
2014-10-01$442.29$290.54RVU14D
2014-07-01$442.29$290.54RVU14C
2014-04-01$442.29$290.54RVU14B
2014-01-01$442.29$290.54RVU14A
2013-10-01$501.36$315.79RVU13D
2013-07-01$501.36$315.79RVU13C
2013-04-01$501.36$315.79RVU13B
2013-01-01$501.36$315.79RVU13AR

Price 12046 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

12046 billing questions

How is the 20.1–30 cm length determined?

Use the documented total repaired length for wounds in this code’s anatomical grouping and repair category. The note should identify each wound’s site and length.

When should I choose this instead of 12045 or 12047?

Choose 12046 when the applicable total length is 20.1–30 cm. Code 12045 covers the immediately shorter length band, while 12047 is for lengths greater than 30 cm.

Can simple closure of the same wound be billed separately?

Do not separately report simple repair for the same wound when the intermediate layered repair includes closure of the skin. The documentation should support the deeper-layer work that makes the repair intermediate.

Should modifier 50 be added for wounds on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; report the service based on the applicable wound grouping and documented total length.

What happens when another procedure is performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures in the session are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is available only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.

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 12046PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,422 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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