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CPT code 17261: Malignant lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm on the trunk, arm, or leg, using an appropriate destructive technique.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality131K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $136.11 for 17261 in the office and $70.98 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$136.11Office (non-facility)
$70.98Hospital or facility
−5.7%vs the national office rate ($144.29)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17261 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 17261 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 17261 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 17261 covers

This service destroys a confirmed malignant skin lesion on the trunk, an arm, or a leg. Techniques may include electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser treatment, chemical destruction, or curettage. Dermatologists commonly perform it in an office for selected skin cancers, such as appropriate superficial basal cell or squamous cell lesions; it may also be performed in a facility setting. The lesion must fit this code’s size range, and the anatomic site must match its trunk-and-limb group.

Select the code using the lesion’s documented size and location, and record the diagnosis, treatment method, and measurements supporting the choice. Report separately for each treated lesion, with documentation identifying each site and size. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. 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; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, 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 North Carolina compares for 17261

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17261 runs from $128.17 in Arkansas to $191.24 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $136.11. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17261 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$136.11
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$162.97+$26.86
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$164.79+$28.68
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$154.54+$18.43
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$150.26+$14.15
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$165.47+$29.36
  7. Alaska · Alaska$168.90+$32.79

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

Every other payment area

17261 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$129.99$68.90
ArkansasArkansas$128.17$68.21
ArizonaArizona$140.60$72.95
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$153.13$76.62
Chico, CACalifornia$152.76$76.25
El Centro, CACalifornia$152.78$76.27
Fresno, CACalifornia$152.76$76.25
Hanford, CACalifornia$152.76$76.25

17261 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.

$128.17

$172.00

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

View every state and territory as a table
17261 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$168.901
AL$129.991
AR$128.171
AZ$140.601
CA$152.76–$191.2429
CO$150.331
CT$153.671
DC$164.791
DE$142.881
FL$141.88–$154.543
GA$134.20–$146.832
GU$156.381
HI$156.381
IA$133.331
ID$134.141
IL$137.80–$150.384
IN$134.891
KS$132.651
KY$132.791
LA$132.56–$138.912
MA$149.44–$164.982
MD$145.57–$164.793
ME$134.73–$141.912
MI$136.06–$143.522
MN$144.391
MO$130.31–$139.473
MS$129.271
MT$144.281
NC$136.111
ND$141.911
NE$134.061
NH$147.911
NJ$155.52–$163.152
NM$136.751
NV$143.721
NY$138.07–$169.275
OH$135.581
OK$132.641
OR$142.70–$155.062
PA$135.83–$149.902
PR$145.341
RI$147.931
SC$136.051
SD$141.631
TN$133.291
TX$134.96–$149.758
UT$137.851
VA$141.40–$164.792
VI$145.341
VT$141.311
WA$149.18–$168.372
WI$137.301
WV$132.851
WY$143.251

See 17261 in every payment locality

How the 17261 rate is calculated

Each of 17261’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 · 17261

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.01

3.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.3200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$144.29

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,629

Code
17261
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.01
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 17261 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense3.01× 0.9332.8083
Malpractice0.12× 0.6390.0767
Total RVUs4.0750
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$136.11

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 3.01 × 0.933 + 0.12 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $136.11

Facility: (1.19 × 1 + 0.92 × 0.933 + 0.12 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $70.98

Open 17261 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17261

17261 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17261

Malignant lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cm

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 · 17261

Malignant lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cm

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

17261 without 51 · national office

$144.29

Malignant lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cm

17261-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$72.15

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 17261

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

Codes related to 17261
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
17260Skin lesion destruction, trunk, arms, legs, 0.5 cm or lessSame trunk, arm, and leg site group; used for a lesion in the smaller size tier.$91.69
17262Lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1–2.0 cmSame site group; used for a lesion in the next larger size tier.$164.03
17270Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaMalignant lesion destruction for a different site group and a smaller lesion size.$138.84
17271Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cmSame size tier for malignant lesions on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.$153.34
Used instead
17250Granulation cautery, chemical treatmentChemical cautery of granulation tissue, rather than destruction of a malignant skin lesion.$84.55

How 17261 has changed in North Carolina

17261 · Office / nonfacility

$136.11

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.70 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $135.41 to $136.11 (0.5%).

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

    $135.41changed to$136.11

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 3.11 changed to 3.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $139.97changed to$135.41

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.13 changed to 3.11

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $137.68changed to$139.97

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $141.74changed to$137.68

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.10 changed to 3.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $143.29changed to$141.74

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.05 changed to 3.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $143.43changed to$143.29

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.00 changed to 3.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $141.01changed to$143.43

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.80 changed to 3.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $139.49changed to$141.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.72 changed to 2.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $139.25changed to$139.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.71 changed to 2.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $137.46changed to$139.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $137.20changed to$137.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.66 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $137.48changed to$137.20

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $136.80changed to$137.48

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $134.36changed to$136.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $138.49changed to$134.36

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $138.49

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$136.11$70.98RVU26D
2026-07-01$136.11$70.98RVU26C
2026-04-01$136.11$70.98RVU26B
2026-01-01$136.11$70.98RVU26A
2025-10-01$135.41$81.50RVU25D
2025-07-01$135.41$81.50RVU25C
2025-04-01$135.41$81.50RVU25B
2025-01-01$135.41$81.50RVU25A
2024-10-01$139.97$82.64RVU24D
2024-07-01$139.97$82.64RVU24C
2024-04-01$139.97$82.64RVU24B
2024-03-09$139.97$82.64RVU24AR
2024-01-01$137.68$81.29RVU24A
2023-10-01$141.74$83.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$141.74$83.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$141.74$83.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$141.74$83.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$143.29$83.23RVU22D
2022-07-01$143.29$83.23RVU22C
2022-04-01$143.29$83.23RVU22B
2022-01-01$143.29$83.23RVU22A
2021-10-01$143.43$84.17RVU21D
2021-07-01$143.43$84.17RVU21C
2021-04-01$143.43$84.17RVU21B
2021-01-01$143.43$84.17RVU21A
2020-10-01$141.01$85.97RVU20D
2020-07-01$141.01$85.97RVU20C
2020-04-01$141.01$85.97RVU20B
2020-01-01$141.01$85.97RVU20A
2019-10-01$139.49$88.15RVU19D
2019-07-01$139.49$88.15RVU19C
2019-04-01$139.49$88.15RVU19B
2019-01-01$139.49$88.15RVU19A
2018-10-01$139.25$89.65RVU18D
2018-07-01$139.25$89.65RVU18C
2018-04-01$139.25$89.65RVU18B
2018-01-01$139.25$89.65RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$137.46$89.68RVU17D
2017-07-01$137.46$89.68RVU17C
2017-04-01$137.46$89.68RVU17B
2017-01-01$137.46$89.68RVU17A
2016-10-01$137.20$89.25RVU16D
2016-07-01$137.20$89.25RVU16C
2016-04-01$137.20$89.25RVU16B
2016-01-01$137.20$89.25RVU16A
2015-10-01$137.48$89.36RVU15D
2015-07-01$137.48$89.36RVU15C
2015-04-01$136.80$88.91RVU15B
2015-01-01$136.80$88.91RVU15A
2014-10-01$134.36$88.10RVU14D
2014-07-01$134.36$88.10RVU14C
2014-04-01$134.36$88.10RVU14B
2014-01-01$134.36$88.10RVU14A
2013-10-01$138.49$88.03RVU13D
2013-07-01$138.49$88.03RVU13C
2013-04-01$138.49$88.03RVU13B
2013-01-01$138.49$88.03RVU13AR

Price 17261 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

17261 billing questions

How is this code distinguished from 17260 and 17262?

Use this code for a trunk, arm, or leg lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm. Code 17260 is for a smaller lesion, while 17262 is for a larger one.

Can this code be used for a lesion on the face or hand?

No. This code is for the trunk, arms, or legs; a lesion on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia belongs to the corresponding site-specific code group.

How should multiple lesions treated at the same session be reported?

Report each treated lesion separately and document its site and size. 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.

Are related postoperative visits separately reportable?

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

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be used?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and 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 17261PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,629 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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