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

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 West Virginia, Medicare pays $150.44 for 17271 in the office and $86.88 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$150.44Office (non-facility)
$86.88Hospital or facility
−7.3%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 West Virginia
  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 West Virginia 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. West Virginia pays $150.44. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17271 in West Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. West Virginia · this page$150.44
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$182.32+$31.88
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$184.68+$34.24
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$174.38+$23.94
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$169.70+$19.26
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$185.84+$35.40
  7. Alaska · Alaska$192.10+$41.66

Other areas in West Virginia 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.

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 West Virginia 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

110

Locality
West Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.869
Malpractice
1.431
Office calculation for 17271 in West Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.50× 1.0001.5000
Practice expense3.21× 0.8692.7895
Malpractice0.15× 1.4310.2147
Total RVUs4.5041
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, West Virginia$150.44

Office: (1.5 × 1 + 3.21 × 0.869 + 0.15 × 1.431) × $33.4009 = $150.44

Facility: (1.5 × 1 + 1.02 × 0.869 + 0.15 × 1.431) × $33.4009 = $86.88

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

How 17271 has changed in West Virginia

17271 · Office / nonfacility

$150.44

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.44 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $149.00 to $150.44 (1.0%).

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

    $149.00changed to$150.44

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.862 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.333 changed to 1.431

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $153.63changed to$149.00

    • 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

    $151.12changed to$153.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $155.36changed to$151.12

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.860 changed to 0.862
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.266 changed to 1.333
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $155.00changed to$155.36

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.858 changed to 0.860
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.266

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $155.21changed to$155.00

    • 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

    $153.60changed to$155.21

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.857 changed to 0.858
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.198

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $155.65changed to$153.60

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.296 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $155.17changed to$155.65

    • 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

    $152.69changed to$155.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.87 changed to 2.90
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.847 changed to 0.857
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.289 changed to 1.296

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $150.54changed to$152.69

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.85 changed to 2.87
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.836 changed to 0.847
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.282 changed to 1.289

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $150.93changed to$150.54

    • 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

    $150.18changed to$150.93

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $147.92changed to$150.18

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.832 changed to 0.836
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.256 changed to 1.282

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $150.75changed to$147.92

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.15 changed to 2.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.828 changed to 0.832
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.229 changed to 1.256

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $150.75

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$150.44$86.88RVU26D
2026-07-01$150.44$86.88RVU26C
2026-04-01$150.44$86.88RVU26B
2026-01-01$150.44$86.88RVU26A
2025-10-01$149.00$98.26RVU25D
2025-07-01$149.00$98.26RVU25C
2025-04-01$149.00$98.26RVU25B
2025-01-01$149.00$98.26RVU25A
2024-10-01$153.63$99.97RVU24D
2024-07-01$153.63$99.97RVU24C
2024-04-01$153.63$99.97RVU24B
2024-03-09$153.63$99.97RVU24AR
2024-01-01$151.12$98.34RVU24A
2023-10-01$155.36$100.86RVU23D
2023-07-01$155.36$100.86RVU23C
2023-04-01$155.36$100.86RVU23B
2023-01-01$155.36$100.86RVU23A
2022-10-01$155.00$99.18RVU22D
2022-07-01$155.00$99.18RVU22C
2022-04-01$155.00$99.18RVU22B
2022-01-01$155.00$99.18RVU22A
2021-10-01$155.21$100.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$155.21$100.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$155.21$100.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$155.21$100.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$153.60$103.18RVU20D
2020-07-01$153.60$103.18RVU20C
2020-04-01$153.60$103.18RVU20B
2020-01-01$153.60$103.18RVU20A
2019-10-01$155.65$108.40RVU19D
2019-07-01$155.65$108.40RVU19C
2019-04-01$155.65$108.40RVU19B
2019-01-01$155.65$108.40RVU19A
2018-10-01$155.17$109.51RVU18D
2018-07-01$155.17$109.51RVU18C
2018-04-01$155.17$109.51RVU18B
2018-01-01$155.17$109.51RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$152.69$108.91RVU17D
2017-07-01$152.69$108.91RVU17C
2017-04-01$152.69$108.91RVU17B
2017-01-01$152.69$108.91RVU17A
2016-10-01$150.54$107.74RVU16D
2016-07-01$150.54$107.74RVU16C
2016-04-01$150.54$107.74RVU16B
2016-01-01$150.54$107.74RVU16A
2015-10-01$150.93$107.67RVU15D
2015-07-01$150.93$107.67RVU15C
2015-04-01$150.18$107.13RVU15B
2015-01-01$150.18$107.13RVU15A
2014-10-01$147.92$106.49RVU14D
2014-07-01$147.92$106.49RVU14C
2014-04-01$147.92$106.49RVU14B
2014-01-01$147.92$106.49RVU14A
2013-10-01$150.75$105.68RVU13D
2013-07-01$150.75$105.68RVU13C
2013-04-01$150.75$105.68RVU13B
2013-01-01$150.75$105.68RVU13AR

Price 17271 for an earlier date of service

Where the West Virginia rate applies

West Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 439 cities and communities in West Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Accoville
  • Addison (Webster Springs)
  • Adrian
  • Albright
  • Alderson
  • Alum Creek
  • Amherstdale
  • Anawalt

Browse all communities in West Virginia

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 West VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 110 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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