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CPT code 12051: Facial repair, intermediate, 2.5 cm or less2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports intermediate repair of a short wound involving the face or related structures when layered closure or extensive cleaning of a contaminated wound is required.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality51K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $323.23 for 12051 in the office and $165.85 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$323.23Office (non-facility)
$165.85Hospital or facility
+14.3%vs the national office rate ($282.91)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 12051 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 12051 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 12051 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 12051 covers

This service covers repair of a wound involving the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes when the work requires closure of deeper tissue as well as the skin. It can also apply to a heavily contaminated wound closed in one layer after extensive cleaning or removal of embedded material. Emergency physicians, surgeons, dermatologists, and other qualified clinicians commonly perform these repairs in emergency departments, offices, and outpatient settings.

Select the code by repair class, applicable anatomic grouping, and documented total repaired length. For multiple eligible wounds, apply CPT aggregation rules within the appropriate site grouping and repair class rather than choosing by the longest wound alone. The record should describe the site, length, tissue layers repaired, and any extensive cleaning that supports intermediate classification. Medicare includes related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period. 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 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and 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 Washington, DC area compares for 12051

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 12051 runs from $250.37 in Arkansas to $374.00 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $323.23. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

12051 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$323.23
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$318.88−$4.35
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$305.81−$17.42
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$296.97−$26.26
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$325.41+$2.18
  6. Alaska · Alaska$329.30+$6.07
  7. Alabama · Alabama$254.03−$69.20

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

Every other payment area

12051 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$250.37$135.61
ArizonaArizona$275.39$145.93
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$299.51$153.08
Chico, CACalifornia$298.65$152.22
El Centro, CACalifornia$298.70$152.27
Fresno, CACalifornia$298.65$152.22
Hanford, CACalifornia$298.65$152.22
Madera, CACalifornia$298.65$152.22

12051 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.

$250.37

$336.33

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

View every state and territory as a table
12051 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$329.301
AL$254.031
AR$250.371
AZ$275.391
CA$298.65–$374.0029
CO$294.331
CT$301.661
DC$323.231
DE$279.941
FL$279.09–$305.813
GA$263.45–$288.242
GU$305.871
HI$305.871
IA$260.291
ID$262.011
IL$271.19–$296.974
IN$263.521
KS$259.151
KY$260.171
LA$259.80–$272.582
MA$292.61–$323.242
MD$285.24–$323.233
ME$263.45–$277.552
MI$266.98–$282.642
MN$281.811
MO$255.41–$273.453
MS$252.941
MT$282.891
NC$266.181
ND$277.151
NE$261.681
NH$289.791
NJ$305.04–$319.922
NM$268.471
NV$281.491
NY$270.16–$333.375
OH$265.811
OK$259.621
OR$279.24–$303.552
PA$266.19–$294.232
PR$284.931
RI$289.811
SC$266.451
SD$276.471
TN$260.461
TX$264.45–$293.408
UT$270.071
VA$276.70–$323.232
VI$284.931
VT$276.151
WA$292.04–$329.732
WI$267.911
WV$261.221
WY$280.391

See 12051 in every payment locality

How the 12051 rate is calculated

Each of 12051’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 · 12051

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.27

2.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.91

5.91 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.4700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$282.91

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

1,424

Code
12051
Physician work
2.27
Practice expense
5.91
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 12051 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.27× 1.0542.3926
Practice expense5.91× 1.1786.9620
Malpractice0.29× 1.1130.3228
Total RVUs9.6773
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$323.23

Office: (2.27 × 1.054 + 5.91 × 1.178 + 0.29 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $323.23

Facility: (2.27 × 1.054 + 1.91 × 1.178 + 0.29 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $165.85

Open 12051 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 12051

12051 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 12051

Facial repair, intermediate, 2.5 cm or less

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)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
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 · 12051

Facial repair, intermediate, 2.5 cm or less

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

12051 without 51 · national office

$282.91

Facial repair, intermediate, 2.5 cm or less

12051-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$141.46

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 12051

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

Codes related to 12051
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
12052Wound repair, face, 2.6–5 cmIntermediate repair in the same facial site group, for a longer total repaired length.$355.16
12053Wound repair, face and mucous membranesIntermediate repair in the same facial site group, for a longer total repaired length.$411.69
12031Wound repair, scalp, trunk, or extremityIntermediate repair for a different anatomic site group at the shortest length level.$297.54
12041Intermediate repair, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, 2.5 cm or lessIntermediate repair for another anatomic site group at the shortest length level.$300.62
Used instead
12011Wound repair, face, 2.5 cm or lessSimple repair for a short wound in the facial site group when intermediate repair is not supported.$159.66

How 12051 has changed in Washington, DC area

12051 · Office / nonfacility

$323.23

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.59 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $314.64 to $323.23 (2.7%).

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

    $314.64changed to$323.23

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.33 changed to 2.27
    • Practice expense RVU 5.81 changed to 5.91
    • 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

    $327.74changed to$314.64

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.89 changed to 5.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $322.39changed to$327.74

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $339.03changed to$322.39

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.91 changed to 5.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31
    • 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

    $349.48changed to$339.03

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.88 changed to 5.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30
    • 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

    $346.75changed to$349.48

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.76 changed to 5.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $326.73changed to$346.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.12 changed to 5.76
    • 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

    $315.15changed to$326.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.87 changed to 5.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.28
    • 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

    $306.56changed to$315.15

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.68 changed to 4.87

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $304.26changed to$306.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.64 changed to 4.68
    • 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

    $303.50changed to$304.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.62 changed to 4.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.35
    • 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

    $302.79changed to$303.50

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.61 changed to 4.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.36

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $301.28changed to$302.79

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $297.37changed to$301.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.53 changed to 4.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
    • 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

    $304.87changed to$297.37

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.10 changed to 4.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.34
    • 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: $304.87

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$323.23$165.85RVU26D
2026-07-01$323.23$165.85RVU26C
2026-04-01$323.23$165.85RVU26B
2026-01-01$323.23$165.85RVU26A
2025-10-01$314.64$186.24RVU25D
2025-07-01$314.64$186.24RVU25C
2025-04-01$314.64$186.24RVU25B
2025-01-01$314.64$186.24RVU25A
2024-10-01$327.74$190.85RVU24D
2024-07-01$327.74$190.85RVU24C
2024-04-01$327.74$190.85RVU24B
2024-03-09$327.74$190.85RVU24AR
2024-01-01$322.39$187.73RVU24A
2023-10-01$339.03$195.04RVU23D
2023-07-01$339.03$195.04RVU23C
2023-04-01$339.03$195.04RVU23B
2023-01-01$339.03$195.04RVU23A
2022-10-01$349.48$197.21RVU22D
2022-07-01$349.48$197.21RVU22C
2022-04-01$349.48$197.21RVU22B
2022-01-01$349.48$197.21RVU22A
2021-10-01$346.75$197.10RVU21D
2021-07-01$346.75$197.10RVU21C
2021-04-01$346.75$197.10RVU21B
2021-01-01$346.75$197.10RVU21A
2020-10-01$326.73$199.82RVU20D
2020-07-01$326.73$199.82RVU20C
2020-04-01$326.73$199.82RVU20B
2020-01-01$326.73$199.82RVU20A
2019-10-01$315.15$200.93RVU19D
2019-07-01$315.15$200.93RVU19C
2019-04-01$315.15$200.93RVU19B
2019-01-01$315.15$200.93RVU19A
2018-10-01$306.56$201.58RVU18D
2018-07-01$306.56$201.58RVU18C
2018-04-01$306.56$201.58RVU18B
2018-01-01$306.56$201.58RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$304.26$201.34RVU17D
2017-07-01$304.26$201.34RVU17C
2017-04-01$304.26$201.34RVU17B
2017-01-01$304.26$201.34RVU17A
2016-10-01$303.50$200.82RVU16D
2016-07-01$303.50$200.82RVU16C
2016-04-01$303.50$200.82RVU16B
2016-01-01$303.50$200.82RVU16A
2015-10-01$302.79$200.60RVU15D
2015-07-01$302.79$200.60RVU15C
2015-04-01$301.28$199.60RVU15B
2015-01-01$301.28$199.60RVU15A
2014-10-01$297.37$197.05RVU14D
2014-07-01$297.37$197.05RVU14C
2014-04-01$297.37$197.05RVU14B
2014-01-01$297.37$197.05RVU14A
2013-10-01$304.87$196.86RVU13D
2013-07-01$304.87$196.86RVU13C
2013-04-01$304.87$196.86RVU13B
2013-01-01$304.87$196.86RVU13AR

Price 12051 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

12051 billing questions

How does this differ from 12052?

Both describe intermediate repair in the same facial site group. Choose 12051 for a total repaired length of 2.5 cm or less; 12052 begins at 2.6 cm.

When is intermediate repair supported?

Documentation should show layered closure involving deeper tissue and skin, or a heavily contaminated wound closed in one layer after extensive cleaning or removal of particulate material.

Should separate short wounds be reported as separate units?

Apply CPT length-aggregation rules for wounds in the same repair class and applicable anatomic grouping. Document each wound's site and length so the combined code selection can be supported.

Can modifier 50 be used for wounds on both sides of the face?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

Are postoperative wound checks separately payable during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure payment.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for this repair?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 12051PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,424 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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