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

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 Wisconsin, Medicare pays $137.30 for 17261 in the office and $70.42 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$137.30Office (non-facility)
$70.42Hospital or facility
−4.8%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 Wisconsin
  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 Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin pays $137.30. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17261 in Wisconsin vs other payment areas
  1. Wisconsin · this page$137.30
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$162.97+$25.67
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$164.79+$27.49
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$154.54+$17.24
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$150.26+$12.96
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$165.47+$28.17
  7. Alaska · Alaska$168.90+$31.60

Other areas in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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

111

Locality
Wisconsin
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.958
Malpractice
0.308
Office calculation for 17261 in Wisconsin
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense3.01× 0.9582.8836
Malpractice0.12× 0.3080.0370
Total RVUs4.1105
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Wisconsin$137.30

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 3.01 × 0.958 + 0.12 × 0.308) × $33.4009 = $137.30

Facility: (1.19 × 1 + 0.92 × 0.958 + 0.12 × 0.308) × $33.4009 = $70.42

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, Wisconsin
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.$92.38
17262Lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1–2.0 cmSame site group; used for a lesion in the next larger size tier.$165.15
17270Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaMalignant lesion destruction for a different site group and a smaller lesion size.$139.85
17271Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cmSame size tier for malignant lesions on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.$154.36
Used instead
17250Granulation cautery, chemical treatmentChemical cautery of granulation tissue, rather than destruction of a malignant skin lesion.$85.56

How 17261 has changed in Wisconsin

17261 · Office / nonfacility

$137.30

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $137.13 to $137.30 (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

    $137.13changed to$137.30

    • 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 0.957 changed to 0.958
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.331 changed to 0.308

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $141.75changed to$137.13

    • 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

    $139.44changed to$141.75

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $142.42changed to$139.44

    • 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 0.950 changed to 0.957
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.314 changed to 0.331

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $142.77changed to$142.42

    • 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 0.942 changed to 0.950
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.296 changed to 0.314

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $142.52changed to$142.77

    • 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

    $141.20changed to$142.52

    • 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 0.949 changed to 0.942
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.322 changed to 0.296

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $139.90changed to$141.20

    • 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 0.957 changed to 0.949
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.322

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $139.53changed to$139.90

    • 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

    $138.18changed to$139.53

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.956 changed to 0.957
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.347

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $138.28changed to$138.18

    • 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 0.955 changed to 0.956
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.566 changed to 0.457

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $138.72changed to$138.28

    • 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

    $138.03changed to$138.72

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $135.98changed to$138.03

    • 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 0.958 changed to 0.955
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.557 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $140.88changed to$135.98

    • 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 0.960 changed to 0.958
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.557

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$140.88

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$137.30$70.42RVU26D
2026-07-01$137.30$70.42RVU26C
2026-04-01$137.30$70.42RVU26B
2026-01-01$137.30$70.42RVU26A
2025-10-01$137.13$81.41RVU25D
2025-07-01$137.13$81.41RVU25C
2025-04-01$137.13$81.41RVU25B
2025-01-01$137.13$81.41RVU25A
2024-10-01$141.75$82.50RVU24D
2024-07-01$141.75$82.50RVU24C
2024-04-01$141.75$82.50RVU24B
2024-03-09$141.75$82.50RVU24AR
2024-01-01$139.44$81.15RVU24A
2023-10-01$142.42$82.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$142.42$82.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$142.42$82.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$142.42$82.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$142.77$81.81RVU22D
2022-07-01$142.77$81.81RVU22C
2022-04-01$142.77$81.81RVU22B
2022-01-01$142.77$81.81RVU22A
2021-10-01$142.52$82.37RVU21D
2021-07-01$142.52$82.37RVU21C
2021-04-01$142.52$82.37RVU21B
2021-01-01$142.52$82.37RVU21A
2020-10-01$141.20$85.04RVU20D
2020-07-01$141.20$85.04RVU20C
2020-04-01$141.20$85.04RVU20B
2020-01-01$141.20$85.04RVU20A
2019-10-01$139.90$87.14RVU19D
2019-07-01$139.90$87.14RVU19C
2019-04-01$139.90$87.14RVU19B
2019-01-01$139.90$87.14RVU19A
2018-10-01$139.53$88.54RVU18D
2018-07-01$139.53$88.54RVU18C
2018-04-01$139.53$88.54RVU18B
2018-01-01$139.53$88.54RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$138.18$89.12RVU17D
2017-07-01$138.18$89.12RVU17C
2017-04-01$138.18$89.12RVU17B
2017-01-01$138.18$89.12RVU17A
2016-10-01$138.28$89.04RVU16D
2016-07-01$138.28$89.04RVU16C
2016-04-01$138.28$89.04RVU16B
2016-01-01$138.28$89.04RVU16A
2015-10-01$138.72$89.30RVU15D
2015-07-01$138.72$89.30RVU15C
2015-04-01$138.03$88.86RVU15B
2015-01-01$138.03$88.86RVU15A
2014-10-01$135.98$88.28RVU14D
2014-07-01$135.98$88.28RVU14C
2014-04-01$135.98$88.28RVU14B
2014-01-01$135.98$88.28RVU14A
2013-10-01$140.88$88.63RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 17261 for an earlier date of service

Where the Wisconsin rate applies

Wisconsin is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 807 cities and communities in Wisconsin. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbotsford
  • Abrams
  • Adams
  • Adell
  • Albany
  • Algoma
  • Allens Grove
  • Allenton

Browse all communities in Wisconsin

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 WisconsinGPCI2026.csv, line 111 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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