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CPT code 17000: Premalignant lesion destruction, first lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

Destruction of a single premalignant skin lesion, most often an actinic keratosis, by cryotherapy or another method; reported for the first lesion treated in a session.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality6.3M Medicare services in 2024

In Iowa, Medicare pays $61.45 for 17000 in the office and $44.34 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$61.45Office (non-facility)
$44.34Hospital or facility
−7.6%vs the national office rate ($66.47)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17000 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 17000 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Iowa
  2. What 17000 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 17000 covers

This service covers destroying one premalignant skin lesion, classically an actinic keratosis on sun-exposed skin such as the face, scalp, ears, or dorsal hands. Destruction methods include liquid nitrogen cryosurgery, curettage, electrosurgery, chemical application, and laser. Dermatologists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners perform it, usually in the office. Medicare recorded over six million office services in 2024.

Report one unit for the first lesion. Add 17003 for each additional lesion from the second through the fourteenth. When 15 or more lesions are treated, report 17004 alone instead. Documentation should state the lesion count, anatomic locations, diagnosis, and method. The procedure has a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued eligible procedure is paid in full and other eligible procedures at 50% when performed in the same session. Do not use modifier 50. 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 Iowa compares for 17000

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17000 runs from $59.19 in Arkansas to $87.49 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $61.45. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17000 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$61.45
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$74.79+$13.34
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$75.73+$14.28
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$71.37+$9.92
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$69.42+$7.97
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$76.15+$14.70
  7. Alaska · Alaska$78.33+$16.88

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

Every other payment area

17000 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$60.00$43.64
ArkansasArkansas$59.19$43.12
ArizonaArizona$64.79$46.67
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$70.36$49.86
Chico, CACalifornia$70.17$49.67
El Centro, CACalifornia$70.18$49.68
Fresno, CACalifornia$70.17$49.67
Hanford, CACalifornia$70.17$49.67

17000 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.

$59.19

$78.83

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

View every state and territory as a table
17000 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$78.331
AL$60.001
AR$59.191
AZ$64.791
CA$70.17–$87.4929
CO$69.131
CT$70.731
DC$75.731
DE$65.831
FL$65.51–$71.373
GA$62.02–$67.652
GU$71.761
HI$71.761
IA$61.451
ID$61.831
IL$63.70–$69.424
IN$62.171
KS$61.181
KY$61.331
LA$61.24–$64.102
MA$68.75–$75.742
MD$67.04–$75.733
ME$62.13–$65.332
MI$62.83–$66.282
MN$66.351
MO$60.24–$64.323
MS$59.721
MT$66.461
NC$62.751
ND$65.281
NE$61.771
NH$68.051
NJ$71.57–$75.012
NM$63.161
NV$66.181
NY$63.63–$77.915
OH$62.591
OK$61.231
OR$65.69–$71.242
PA$62.69–$69.042
PR$66.931
RI$68.101
SC$62.771
SD$65.141
TN$61.471
TX$62.30–$68.878
UT$63.581
VA$65.12–$75.732
VI$66.931
VT$65.031
WA$68.62–$77.252
WI$63.201
WV$61.471
WY$65.951

See 17000 in every payment locality

How the 17000 rate is calculated

Each of 17000’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 · 17000

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.59

0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.34

1.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.06

0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.9900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$66.47

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

The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,619

Code
17000
Physician work
0.59
Practice expense
1.34
Malpractice
0.06

GPCI2026.csv

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 17000 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.59× 1.0000.5900
Practice expense1.34× 0.9151.2261
Malpractice0.06× 0.3970.0238
Total RVUs1.8399
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$61.45

Office: (0.59 × 1 + 1.34 × 0.915 + 0.06 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $61.45

Facility: (0.59 × 1 + 0.78 × 0.915 + 0.06 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $44.34

Open 17000 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17000

17000 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17000

Premalignant lesion destruction, first lesion

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 · 17000

Premalignant lesion destruction, first lesion

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

17000 without 51 · national office

$66.47

Premalignant lesion destruction, first lesion

17000-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$33.24

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 17000

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

Codes related to 17000
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Iowa
Add-on codes
17003Actinic keratosis destruction, lesions 2-14, each additionalAdd-on for each additional premalignant lesion, second through fourteenth, reported with this code.$5.92
Used instead
17004Premalignant lesion destruction, 15 or more lesionsReported alone instead of this code when 15 or more lesions are destroyed.$150.09
17110Benign lesion destruction, up to 14 lesionsUsed for destruction of benign lesions such as warts, up to 14, rather than premalignant lesions.$102.49
96567Photodynamic therapy, incident-to treatmentPhotodynamic therapy is another treatment approach for actinic keratoses.$118.10
Often billed with
11102Tangential skin biopsy, first or only lesionTangential biopsy of a separate suspicious lesion during the same visit.$88.19
99213Office visit, established patient, low complexityEstablished patient visit when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service supports modifier 25.$89.23

How 17000 has changed in Iowa

17000 · Office / nonfacility

$61.45

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.07 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $61.52 to $61.45 (0.1%).

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

    $61.52changed to$61.45

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.61 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense RVU 1.39 changed to 1.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $62.85changed to$61.52

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.37 changed to 1.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $61.83changed to$62.85

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $62.89changed to$61.83

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.37
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $63.26changed to$62.89

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $62.22changed to$63.26

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.27 changed to 1.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $61.56changed to$62.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.18 changed to 1.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $61.12changed to$61.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $62.03changed to$61.12

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.16

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $62.05changed to$62.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.20 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $61.61changed to$62.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $61.47changed to$61.61

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $61.17changed to$61.47

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $68.27changed to$61.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.41 changed to 1.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $75.26changed to$68.27

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 0.65 changed to 0.61
    • Practice expense RVU 1.72 changed to 1.41
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $75.26

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$61.45$44.34RVU26D
2026-07-01$61.45$44.34RVU26C
2026-04-01$61.45$44.34RVU26B
2026-01-01$61.45$44.34RVU26A
2025-10-01$61.52$50.00RVU25D
2025-07-01$61.52$50.00RVU25C
2025-04-01$61.52$50.00RVU25B
2025-01-01$61.52$50.00RVU25A
2024-10-01$62.85$51.31RVU24D
2024-07-01$62.85$51.31RVU24C
2024-04-01$62.85$51.31RVU24B
2024-03-09$62.85$51.31RVU24AR
2024-01-01$61.83$50.47RVU24A
2023-10-01$62.89$51.17RVU23D
2023-07-01$62.89$51.17RVU23C
2023-04-01$62.89$51.17RVU23B
2023-01-01$62.89$51.17RVU23A
2022-10-01$63.26$51.33RVU22D
2022-07-01$63.26$51.33RVU22C
2022-04-01$63.26$51.33RVU22B
2022-01-01$63.26$51.33RVU22A
2021-10-01$62.22$50.51RVU21D
2021-07-01$62.22$50.51RVU21C
2021-04-01$62.22$50.51RVU21B
2021-01-01$62.22$50.51RVU21A
2020-10-01$61.56$51.08RVU20D
2020-07-01$61.56$51.08RVU20C
2020-04-01$61.56$51.08RVU20B
2020-01-01$61.56$51.08RVU20A
2019-10-01$61.12$50.66RVU19D
2019-07-01$61.12$50.66RVU19C
2019-04-01$61.12$50.66RVU19B
2019-01-01$61.12$50.66RVU19A
2018-10-01$62.03$49.95RVU18D
2018-07-01$62.03$49.95RVU18C
2018-04-01$62.03$49.95RVU18B
2018-01-01$62.03$49.95RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$62.05$50.08RVU17D
2017-07-01$62.05$50.08RVU17C
2017-04-01$62.05$50.08RVU17B
2017-01-01$62.05$50.08RVU17A
2016-10-01$61.61$49.74RVU16D
2016-07-01$61.61$49.74RVU16C
2016-04-01$61.61$49.74RVU16B
2016-01-01$61.61$49.74RVU16A
2015-10-01$61.47$49.56RVU15D
2015-07-01$61.47$49.56RVU15C
2015-04-01$61.17$49.31RVU15B
2015-01-01$61.17$49.31RVU15A
2014-10-01$68.27$48.78RVU14D
2014-07-01$68.27$48.78RVU14C
2014-04-01$68.27$48.78RVU14B
2014-01-01$68.27$48.78RVU14A
2013-10-01$75.26$52.03RVU13D
2013-07-01$75.26$52.03RVU13C
2013-04-01$75.26$52.03RVU13B
2013-01-01$75.26$52.03RVU13AR

Price 17000 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

17000 billing questions

How are 10 actinic keratoses coded?

Report this code with one unit for the first lesion and 17003 with nine units for lesions two through ten.

Can this code be reported with 17004?

No. When 15 or more premalignant lesions are destroyed, 17004 is reported by itself and replaces both this code and 17003.

Is an office visit billed on the same day separately payable?

Only when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is documented beyond the evaluation inherent in treating the lesions; append modifier 25 to the E/M code.

Does the destruction method change the code?

No. Cryotherapy, curettage, electrosurgery, chemical, and laser destruction are reported with the same code; record the method used in the note.

Can a biopsy be billed with this code?

A medically necessary biopsy of a different lesion can be reported with 11102 or another applicable biopsy code, using a distinct-site modifier such as 59 or XS when required.

Are visits after the destruction billable?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. An E/M service for an unrelated problem during that period may be reported with modifier 24 when its requirements are met.

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 17000PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,619 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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