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CPT code 17271: Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Rhode Island

Reports destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 0.6–1 cm on the scalp, neck, hand, foot, or genitalia using a destructive method.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality42K Medicare services in 2024

In Rhode Island, Medicare pays $166.28 for 17271 in the office and $90.72 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$166.28Office (non-facility)
$90.72Hospital or facility
+2.4%vs the national office rate ($162.33)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17271 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 17271 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Rhode Island
  2. What 17271 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 17271 covers

Code 17271 covers destructive treatment of a malignant cutaneous lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm at the scalp, neck, hand, foot, or genitalia. Dermatologists and other qualified physicians may use methods such as electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, laser, or chemical destruction in an office or facility setting. The service is destruction rather than surgical excision with specimen removal; basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are common examples when destructive treatment is clinically appropriate.

Choose the code by the documented lesion diameter and anatomic group, not by the treatment method. Record the lesion’s location, measurement, malignant diagnosis, and technique. For multiple procedures in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days. Modifier 50 is inappropriate because the service is defined by lesion site and size, rather than as bilateral treatment. 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.

How Rhode Island compares for 17271

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17271 runs from $144.78 in Arkansas to $212.90 in San Benito County, CA. Rhode Island pays $166.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17271 in Rhode Island vs other payment areas
  1. Rhode Island · this page$166.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$182.32+$16.04
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$184.68+$18.40
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$174.38+$8.10
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$169.70+$3.42
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$185.84+$19.56
  7. Alaska · Alaska$192.10+$25.82

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

Every other payment area

17271 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$146.75$82.75
ArkansasArkansas$144.78$81.95
ArizonaArizona$158.28$87.40
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$171.61$91.44
Chico, CACalifornia$171.15$90.98
El Centro, CACalifornia$171.17$91.00
Fresno, CACalifornia$171.15$90.98
Hanford, CACalifornia$171.15$90.98

17271 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.

$144.78

$192.10

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

View every state and territory as a table
17271 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$192.101
AL$146.751
AR$144.781
AZ$158.281
CA$171.15–$212.9029
CO$168.691
CT$172.641
DC$184.681
DE$160.791
FL$160.13–$174.383
GA$151.71–$165.202
GU$174.911
HI$174.911
IA$150.191
ID$151.111
IL$155.82–$169.704
IN$151.931
KS$149.551
KY$150.001
LA$149.79–$156.682
MA$167.80–$184.632
MD$163.71–$184.683
ME$151.86–$159.512
MI$153.65–$162.012
MN$161.911
MO$147.40–$157.193
MS$146.121
MT$162.321
NC$153.341
ND$159.351
NE$150.961
NH$166.101
NJ$174.68–$182.982
NM$154.441
NV$161.601
NY$155.48–$190.095
OH$153.041
OK$149.741
OR$160.41–$173.752
PA$153.26–$168.592
PR$163.431
RI$166.281
SC$153.431
SD$159.001
TN$150.251
TX$152.32–$168.088
UT$155.381
VA$159.03–$184.682
VI$163.431
VT$158.781
WA$167.46–$188.252
WI$154.361
WV$150.441
WY$161.031

See 17271 in every payment locality

How the 17271 rate is calculated

Each of 17271’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 · 17271

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.50

1.50 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.21

3.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.8600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$162.33

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

The exact Rhode Island inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,635

Code
17271
Physician work
1.50
Practice expense
3.21
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

92

Locality
Rhode Island
Physician work
1.019
Practice expense
1.033
Malpractice
0.892
Office calculation for 17271 in Rhode Island
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.50× 1.0191.5285
Practice expense3.21× 1.0333.3159
Malpractice0.15× 0.8920.1338
Total RVUs4.9782
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Rhode Island$166.28

Office: (1.5 × 1.019 + 3.21 × 1.033 + 0.15 × 0.892) × $33.4009 = $166.28

Facility: (1.5 × 1.019 + 1.02 × 1.033 + 0.15 × 0.892) × $33.4009 = $90.72

Open 17271 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17271

17271 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17271

Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 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 · 17271

Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 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

17271 without 51 · national office

$162.33

Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm

17271-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$81.17

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 17271

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

Codes related to 17271
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Rhode Island
Same family
17270Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaSame anatomic group; used for a smaller lesion.$150.57
17272Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; 1.1–2 cmSame anatomic group; used for a larger lesion.$187.75
17261Malignant lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cmSame size range for lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs.$147.93
17281Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cmSame size range for lesions on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips.$179.53

How 17271 has changed in Rhode Island

17271 · Office / nonfacility

$166.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.42 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $166.70 to $166.28 (0.3%).

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

    $166.70changed to$166.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.54 changed to 1.50
    • Practice expense RVU 3.31 changed to 3.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.849 changed to 0.892

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $171.89changed to$166.70

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.31

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $169.09changed to$171.89

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $175.05changed to$169.09

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.29 changed to 3.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.025
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.915 changed to 0.849

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $176.31changed to$175.05

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.23 changed to 3.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 0.915

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $176.28changed to$176.31

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.18 changed to 3.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $174.37changed to$176.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 3.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $175.04changed to$174.37

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.049
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.999 changed to 0.990

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $174.47changed to$175.04

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.91

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $171.95changed to$174.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.87 changed to 2.90
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.879 changed to 0.999

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $169.78changed to$171.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.85 changed to 2.87
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.025
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.052
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.759 changed to 0.879

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $170.50changed to$169.78

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.86 changed to 2.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $169.65changed to$170.50

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $168.80changed to$169.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.78 changed to 2.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.973 changed to 0.759

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$168.80

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$166.28$90.72RVU26D
2026-07-01$166.28$90.72RVU26C
2026-04-01$166.28$90.72RVU26B
2026-01-01$166.28$90.72RVU26A
2025-10-01$166.70$105.53RVU25D
2025-07-01$166.70$105.53RVU25C
2025-04-01$166.70$105.53RVU25B
2025-01-01$166.70$105.53RVU25A
2024-10-01$171.89$107.22RVU24D
2024-07-01$171.89$107.22RVU24C
2024-04-01$171.89$107.22RVU24B
2024-03-09$171.89$107.22RVU24AR
2024-01-01$169.09$105.47RVU24A
2023-10-01$175.05$108.89RVU23D
2023-07-01$175.05$108.89RVU23C
2023-04-01$175.05$108.89RVU23B
2023-01-01$175.05$108.89RVU23A
2022-10-01$176.31$108.13RVU22D
2022-07-01$176.31$108.13RVU22C
2022-04-01$176.31$108.13RVU22B
2022-01-01$176.31$108.13RVU22A
2021-10-01$176.28$109.37RVU21D
2021-07-01$176.28$109.37RVU21C
2021-04-01$176.28$109.37RVU21B
2021-01-01$176.28$109.37RVU21A
2020-10-01$174.37$112.66RVU20D
2020-07-01$174.37$112.66RVU20C
2020-04-01$174.37$112.66RVU20B
2020-01-01$174.37$112.66RVU20A
2019-10-01$175.04$117.14RVU19D
2019-07-01$175.04$117.14RVU19C
2019-04-01$175.04$117.14RVU19B
2019-01-01$175.04$117.14RVU19A
2018-10-01$174.47$118.52RVU18D
2018-07-01$174.47$118.52RVU18C
2018-04-01$174.47$118.52RVU18B
2018-01-01$174.47$118.52RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$171.95$117.58RVU17D
2017-07-01$171.95$117.58RVU17C
2017-04-01$171.95$117.58RVU17B
2017-01-01$171.95$117.58RVU17A
2016-10-01$169.78$115.87RVU16D
2016-07-01$169.78$115.87RVU16C
2016-04-01$169.78$115.87RVU16B
2016-01-01$169.78$115.87RVU16A
2015-10-01$170.50$116.01RVU15D
2015-07-01$170.50$116.01RVU15C
2015-04-01$169.65$115.44RVU15B
2015-01-01$169.65$115.44RVU15A
2014-10-01$168.80$116.37RVU14D
2014-07-01$168.80$116.37RVU14C
2014-04-01$168.80$116.37RVU14B
2014-01-01$168.80$116.37RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 17271 for an earlier date of service

Where the Rhode Island rate applies

Rhode Island is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 36 cities and communities in Rhode Island. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ashaway
  • Bradford
  • Carolina
  • Central Falls
  • Charlestown
  • Chepachet
  • Clayville
  • Cranston

Browse all communities in Rhode Island

17271 billing questions

When should I choose 17271 over 17270 or 17272?

Use 17271 for a lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm in its specified anatomic group. Code 17270 is for a smaller lesion, and 17272 is for a larger one.

How does the site affect code selection?

Code 17271 is for lesions on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. A lesion of the same diameter on the trunk, arms, or legs belongs to a different anatomic group.

How should multiple lesions treated in one session be reported?

Select a code for each treated lesion based on its site and diameter. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%.

Should I append modifier 50 for lesions on both sides?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service; code selection is based on each lesion’s site and diameter.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. The code has a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period.

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 17271PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,635 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Rhode IslandGPCI2026.csv, line 92 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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