CPT code 17262: Lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1–2.0 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Massachusetts
Destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 1.1–2.0 cm on the trunk, arm, or leg, reported when a destructive treatment is performed.
Medicare pays $179.56–$197.63 for 17262 in the office in Massachusetts, from Rest of Massachusetts to Metropolitan Boston, MA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 17262 covers
The clinician treats a malignant skin lesion with a destructive technique, such as electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, or laser treatment, rather than removing it by excision. This size tier covers lesions measuring 1.1 through 2.0 cm on the trunk, arms, or legs. Dermatologists commonly perform the service in an office; it may also be furnished in an outpatient facility.
Choose the code for the lesion’s anatomic group and measured diameter, and document the diagnosis, exact site, size, and treatment method. A 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during that period. For multiple procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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.
Where 17262 pays more and less in Massachusetts
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Boston, MA | $197.63 | $101.52 |
| Rest of Massachusetts | $179.56 | $94.79 |
How the 17262 rate is calculated
Each of 17262’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 · 17262
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.59
1.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.45
3.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.2000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$173.68
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 17262
17262 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 17262
Lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1–2.0 cm
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 17262
Lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1–2.0 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.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
17262 without 51 · national office
$173.68
Lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1–2.0 cm
17262-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$86.84
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%).
17262 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 17261Malignant lesion destructionTrunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cm
- Both cover destructive treatment on the trunk, arms, or legs; 17261 is for the smaller size tier, while 17262 covers 1.1–2.0 cm.
- 17263Malignant lesion destructionTrunk, arms, or legs, 2.1–3.0 cm
- Both cover the same sites and treatment approach; 17263 is for lesions larger than the 1.1–2.0 cm range.
- 17272Lesion destructionScalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; 1.1–2 cm
- This code covers the 1.1–2.0 cm tier on the trunk, arms, or legs; 17272 is for that size tier in a different anatomic group.
- 11602Malignant lesion excisionTrunk or extremity, 1.1–2 cm
- Use 17262 when the malignant lesion is destroyed; 11602 is for excision of a lesion in the corresponding size and site group.
17262 billing questions
When should 17262 be selected instead of 17261 or 17263?
Use 17262 for a lesion measuring 1.1–2.0 cm on the trunk, arm, or leg. Code 17261 is the smaller size tier, and 17263 is the next larger tier.
Does the lesion’s location affect code selection?
Yes. Code 17262 is for the trunk, arms, or legs. Lesions on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia fall in a different anatomic group.
Can this code be used when the lesion is excised?
No. Code 17262 describes destructive treatment; use the applicable excision code when the lesion is cut out.
What documentation supports the size tier?
Record the lesion’s diagnosis, anatomic site, measured diameter, and destructive method. The documented diameter should support the 1.1–2.0 cm tier.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. The code has a 10-day global period for related postoperative visits.
Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be reported?
Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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
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