CPT code 17003: Actinic keratosis destruction, lesions 2-14, each additional2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Queens, NY

Report this add-on once per additional premalignant skin lesion, typically an actinic keratosis, when two through fourteen are destroyed in one session.

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

In Queens, NY, Medicare pays $7.34 for 17003 in the office and $1.82 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$7.34Office (non-facility)
$1.82Hospital or facility
+15.6%vs the national office rate ($6.35)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17003 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 17003 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Queens, NY
  2. What 17003 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 17003 covers

This code captures destruction of additional premalignant skin lesions, most commonly actinic keratoses, after the first lesion has been treated in the same session. Dermatologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants usually perform it in the office. Liquid nitrogen cryosurgery is the typical method, though curettage, electrosurgery, chemical destruction, and laser also qualify. Patients with sun-damaged skin on the face, scalp, ears, forearms, and backs of the hands often have several lesions treated at one visit, which is why this is among the highest-volume codes Medicare pays.

Report the first lesion with 17000, then report one unit of 17003 for each additional premalignant lesion from the second through the fourteenth, for a maximum of 13 units. When 15 or more premalignant lesions are treated, use 17004 alone instead of 17000 and 17003. Documentation should state the lesion count, anatomic locations, clinical diagnosis, and destruction method. CMS designates 17003 as an add-on code: it is billed only with its primary procedure and paid within that procedure's global period.

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 Queens, NY compares for 17003

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17003 runs from $5.64 in Arkansas to $8.71 in Santa Clara County, CA. Queens, NY pays $7.34. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17003 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$7.34
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$7.24−$0.10
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$7.38+$0.04
  4. Rest of New York · New York$6.10−$1.24
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$7.32−$0.02
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$7.31−$0.03

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

Every other payment area

17003 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$6.55$1.68
Chicago, ILIllinois$6.38$1.68
AlaskaAlaska$7.34$2.36
AlabamaAlabama$5.72$1.63
ArkansasArkansas$5.64$1.62
ArizonaArizona$6.19$1.66
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$6.85$1.73
Chico, CACalifornia$6.85$1.72

17003 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$5.64

$7.78

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

View every state and territory as a table
17003 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$7.341
AL$5.721
AR$5.641
AZ$6.191
CA$6.85–$8.7129
CO$6.681
CT$6.761
DC$7.311
DE$6.291
FL$6.13–$6.553
GA$5.81–$6.432
GU$7.031
HI$7.031
IA$5.921
ID$5.951
IL$5.91–$6.494
IN$5.981
KS$5.871
KY$5.791
LA$5.77–$6.052
MA$6.63–$7.372
MD$6.42–$7.313
ME$5.95–$6.302
MI$5.91–$6.172
MN$6.491
MO$5.65–$6.113
MS$5.651
MT$6.351
NC$6.011
ND$6.351
NE$5.961
NH$6.551
NJ$6.86–$7.232
NM$5.931
NV$6.351
NY$6.10–$7.385
OH$5.911
OK$5.811
OR$6.33–$6.922
PA$5.94–$6.582
PR$6.401
RI$6.541
SC$5.971
SD$6.351
TN$5.891
TX$5.90–$6.648
UT$6.051
VA$6.26–$7.312
VI$6.401
VT$6.301
WA$6.63–$7.552
WI$6.141
WV$5.691
WY$6.351

See 17003 in every payment locality

How the 17003 rate is calculated

Each of 17003’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 · 17003

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.00

0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.1900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$6.35

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

The exact Queens, NY inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,620

Code
17003
Physician work
0.04
Practice expense
0.15
Malpractice
0.00

GPCI2026.csv

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 17003 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.04× 1.0640.0426
Practice expense0.15× 1.1820.1773
Malpractice0.00× 1.4420.0000
Total RVUs0.2199
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$7.34

Office: (0.04 × 1.064 + 0.15 × 1.182 + 0 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $7.34

Facility: (0.04 × 1.064 + 0.01 × 1.182 + 0 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $1.82

Open 17003 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17003

The CMS indicators that decide how 17003 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 17003

Actinic keratosis destruction, lesions 2-14, each additional

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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.

How 17003 has changed in Queens, NY

17003 · Office / nonfacility

$7.34

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.22 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $7.56 to $7.34 (2.9%).

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

    $7.56changed to$7.34

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $7.78changed to$7.56

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $7.66changed to$7.78

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $8.01changed to$7.66

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $8.26changed to$8.01

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $7.90changed to$8.26

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $7.22changed to$7.90

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.13 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $7.04changed to$7.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.01 changed to 0.00
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $6.60changed to$7.04

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $7.02changed to$6.60

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $7.01changed to$7.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $7.04changed to$7.01

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $7.00changed to$7.04

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $12.03changed to$7.00

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.23 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $7.92changed to$12.03

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 0.07 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense RVU 0.12 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $7.92

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$7.34$1.82RVU26D
2026-07-01$7.34$1.82RVU26C
2026-04-01$7.34$1.82RVU26B
2026-01-01$7.34$1.82RVU26A
2025-10-01$7.56$2.15RVU25D
2025-07-01$7.56$2.15RVU25C
2025-04-01$7.56$2.15RVU25B
2025-01-01$7.56$2.15RVU25A
2024-10-01$7.78$2.21RVU24D
2024-07-01$7.78$2.21RVU24C
2024-04-01$7.78$2.21RVU24B
2024-03-09$7.78$2.21RVU24AR
2024-01-01$7.66$2.18RVU24A
2023-10-01$8.01$2.26RVU23D
2023-07-01$8.01$2.26RVU23C
2023-04-01$8.01$2.26RVU23B
2023-01-01$8.01$2.26RVU23A
2022-10-01$8.26$2.31RVU22D
2022-07-01$8.26$2.31RVU22C
2022-04-01$8.26$2.31RVU22B
2022-01-01$8.26$2.31RVU22A
2021-10-01$7.90$2.33RVU21D
2021-07-01$7.90$2.33RVU21C
2021-04-01$7.90$2.33RVU21B
2021-01-01$7.90$2.33RVU21A
2020-10-01$7.22$2.40RVU20D
2020-07-01$7.22$2.40RVU20C
2020-04-01$7.22$2.40RVU20B
2020-01-01$7.22$2.40RVU20A
2019-10-01$7.04$3.15RVU19D
2019-07-01$7.04$3.15RVU19C
2019-04-01$7.04$3.15RVU19B
2019-01-01$7.04$3.15RVU19A
2018-10-01$6.60$3.14RVU18D
2018-07-01$6.60$3.14RVU18C
2018-04-01$6.60$3.14RVU18B
2018-01-01$6.60$3.14RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$7.02$3.14RVU17D
2017-07-01$7.02$3.14RVU17C
2017-04-01$7.02$3.14RVU17B
2017-01-01$7.02$3.14RVU17A
2016-10-01$7.01$3.15RVU16D
2016-07-01$7.01$3.15RVU16C
2016-04-01$7.01$3.15RVU16B
2016-01-01$7.01$3.15RVU16A
2015-10-01$7.04$3.16RVU15D
2015-07-01$7.04$3.16RVU15C
2015-04-01$7.00$3.14RVU15B
2015-01-01$7.00$3.14RVU15A
2014-10-01$12.03$3.03RVU14D
2014-07-01$12.03$3.03RVU14C
2014-04-01$12.03$3.03RVU14B
2014-01-01$12.03$3.03RVU14A
2013-10-01$7.92$5.07RVU13D
2013-07-01$7.92$5.07RVU13C
2013-04-01$7.92$5.07RVU13B
2013-01-01$7.92$5.07RVU13AR

Price 17003 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

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17003 billing questions

How many units of 17003 can be reported?

Report one unit per premalignant lesion from the second through the fourteenth, or 1 to 13 units alongside one unit of 17000. Treating 15 or more premalignant lesions shifts reporting to 17004 alone.

Can 17003 be reported with 17004?

No. When 15 or more premalignant lesions are destroyed in a session, 17004 covers the entire count and replaces both 17000 and 17003.

Is 17003 billable without 17000?

No. It is an add-on reported with 17000 for the first premalignant lesion treated in the same session.

Can an E/M visit be billed on the same day as 17000 and 17003?

Yes, if documentation supports a significant, separately identifiable E/M service beyond the usual evaluation and decision to destroy the lesions. Append modifier 25 to the E/M code; a different diagnosis is not required.

Does 17003 apply to warts or seborrheic keratoses?

No. It covers premalignant lesions such as actinic keratoses. Destruction of benign lesions such as warts or seborrheic keratoses is reported with 17110 or 17111 according to the benign lesion count.

What documentation supports the unit count?

The note should list the number of lesions treated, their body sites, the premalignant diagnosis, and the destruction method used, so the units tie directly to the record.

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 17003PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,620 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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