CPT code 17273: Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 2.1 to 3.0 cm on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality13.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $202.20 for 17273 in the office and $113.76 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$202.20Office (non-facility)
$113.76Hospital or facility
−0.9%vs the national office rate ($204.08)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17273 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 17273 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 17273 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 17273 covers

This code covers destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 2.1 to 3.0 cm on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. A dermatologist or other qualified clinician may use a destructive method such as electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser treatment, or chemical treatment, commonly in an office setting. The code is selected by the lesion’s site and diameter, not by the treatment method. It is for destruction rather than excision of the lesion.

Document the malignant diagnosis, exact anatomic site, measured lesion diameter, and method used. Report the code for each qualifying lesion. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code’s descriptor and anatomy. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid; 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 Delaware compares for 17273

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17273 runs from $182.66 in Arkansas to $265.50 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $202.20. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17273 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$202.20
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$228.24+$26.04
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$231.48+$29.28
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$219.58+$17.38
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$213.85+$11.65
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$233.26+$31.06
  7. Alaska · Alaska$243.70+$41.50

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

Every other payment area

17273 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$185.06$106.74
ArkansasArkansas$182.66$105.77
ArizonaArizona$199.12$112.38
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$215.15$117.04
Chico, CACalifornia$214.52$116.41
El Centro, CACalifornia$214.55$116.45
Fresno, CACalifornia$214.52$116.41
Hanford, CACalifornia$214.52$116.41

17273 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.

$182.66

$243.70

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

View every state and territory as a table
17273 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$243.701
AL$185.061
AR$182.661
AZ$199.121
CA$214.52–$265.5029
CO$211.691
CT$216.781
DC$231.481
DE$202.201
FL$201.77–$219.583
GA$191.44–$207.692
GU$218.931
HI$218.931
IA$189.091
ID$190.241
IL$196.62–$213.854
IN$191.231
KS$188.391
KY$189.201
LA$188.97–$197.382
MA$210.65–$231.162
MD$205.76–$231.483
ME$191.24–$200.452
MI$193.72–$204.152
MN$203.121
MO$186.11–$197.903
MS$184.421
MT$204.071
NC$193.031
ND$200.111
NE$190.001
NH$208.531
NJ$219.33–$229.482
NM$194.721
NV$203.091
NY$195.65–$238.555
OH$192.921
OK$188.791
OR$201.58–$217.782
PA$193.14–$211.892
PR$205.401
RI$208.911
SC$193.281
SD$199.641
TN$189.251
TX$192.00–$210.938
UT$195.661
VA$199.92–$231.482
VI$205.401
VT$199.491
WA$210.21–$235.552
WI$194.041
WV$190.071
WY$202.341

See 17273 in every payment locality

How the 17273 rate is calculated

Each of 17273’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 · 17273

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.05

2.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.86

3.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.1100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$204.08

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,637

Code
17273
Physician work
2.05
Practice expense
3.86
Malpractice
0.20

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 17273 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.05× 1.0052.0602
Practice expense3.86× 0.9883.8137
Malpractice0.20× 0.8990.1798
Total RVUs6.0537
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$202.20

Office: (2.05 × 1.005 + 3.86 × 0.988 + 0.2 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $202.20

Facility: (2.05 × 1.005 + 1.18 × 0.988 + 0.2 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $113.76

Open 17273 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17273

17273 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17273

Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

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 · 17273

Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

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

17273 without 51 · national office

$204.08

Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

17273-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$102.04

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 17273 has changed in Delaware

17273 · Office / nonfacility

$202.20

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.49 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $202.69 to $202.20 (0.2%).

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

    $202.69changed to$202.20

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.10 changed to 2.05
    • Practice expense RVU 3.98 changed to 3.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $209.24changed to$202.69

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.99 changed to 3.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $205.82changed to$209.24

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $213.45changed to$205.82

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 3.99
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $217.00changed to$213.45

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.88 changed to 3.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $217.37changed to$217.00

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.84 changed to 3.88

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $217.02changed to$217.37

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.61 changed to 3.84
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $218.31changed to$217.02

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $216.94changed to$218.31

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.52 changed to 3.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $216.72changed to$216.94

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.50 changed to 3.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $216.19changed to$216.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.50
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $216.19changed to$216.19

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $215.11changed to$216.19

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $211.31changed to$215.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.39 changed to 3.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $215.21changed to$211.31

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.83 changed to 3.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $215.21

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$202.20$113.76RVU26D
2026-07-01$202.20$113.76RVU26C
2026-04-01$202.20$113.76RVU26B
2026-01-01$202.20$113.76RVU26A
2025-10-01$202.69$133.71RVU25D
2025-07-01$202.69$133.71RVU25C
2025-04-01$202.69$133.71RVU25B
2025-01-01$202.69$133.71RVU25A
2024-10-01$209.24$136.26RVU24D
2024-07-01$209.24$136.26RVU24C
2024-04-01$209.24$136.26RVU24B
2024-03-09$209.24$136.26RVU24AR
2024-01-01$205.82$134.04RVU24A
2023-10-01$213.45$138.03RVU23D
2023-07-01$213.45$138.03RVU23C
2023-04-01$213.45$138.03RVU23B
2023-01-01$213.45$138.03RVU23A
2022-10-01$217.00$138.84RVU22D
2022-07-01$217.00$138.84RVU22C
2022-04-01$217.00$138.84RVU22B
2022-01-01$217.00$138.84RVU22A
2021-10-01$217.37$139.99RVU21D
2021-07-01$217.37$139.99RVU21C
2021-04-01$217.37$139.99RVU21B
2021-01-01$217.37$139.99RVU21A
2020-10-01$217.02$145.90RVU20D
2020-07-01$217.02$145.90RVU20C
2020-04-01$217.02$145.90RVU20B
2020-01-01$217.02$145.90RVU20A
2019-10-01$218.31$151.11RVU19D
2019-07-01$218.31$151.11RVU19C
2019-04-01$218.31$151.11RVU19B
2019-01-01$218.31$151.11RVU19A
2018-10-01$216.94$152.37RVU18D
2018-07-01$216.94$152.37RVU18C
2018-04-01$216.94$152.37RVU18B
2018-01-01$216.94$152.37RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$216.72$152.72RVU17D
2017-07-01$216.72$152.72RVU17C
2017-04-01$216.72$152.72RVU17B
2017-01-01$216.72$152.72RVU17A
2016-10-01$216.19$152.32RVU16D
2016-07-01$216.19$152.32RVU16C
2016-04-01$216.19$152.32RVU16B
2016-01-01$216.19$152.32RVU16A
2015-10-01$216.19$152.10RVU15D
2015-07-01$216.19$152.10RVU15C
2015-04-01$215.11$151.34RVU15B
2015-01-01$215.11$151.34RVU15A
2014-10-01$211.31$149.21RVU14D
2014-07-01$211.31$149.21RVU14C
2014-04-01$211.31$149.21RVU14B
2014-01-01$211.31$149.21RVU14A
2013-10-01$215.21$147.01RVU13D
2013-07-01$215.21$147.01RVU13C
2013-04-01$215.21$147.01RVU13B
2013-01-01$215.21$147.01RVU13AR

Price 17273 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

17273 billing questions

How is 17273 distinguished from 17272 or 17274?

Use 17273 for a lesion measuring 2.1 to 3.0 cm at the specified sites. The adjacent codes represent smaller and larger size ranges.

Which anatomic sites qualify?

The site group is scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Lesions on other anatomic groups use the code family assigned to those sites.

Does the destruction method change code selection?

No. The method may be electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser, or chemical treatment; selection depends on site and lesion diameter.

What should the record support?

Document the malignant diagnosis, site, lesion diameter, and destructive method. The measurement should support the 2.1-to-3.0-cm range.

Are related postoperative visits separately reported?

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

Can modifier 50 or an assistant surgeon be reported?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code’s descriptor and anatomy. CMS does not pay assistant-at-surgery services for this procedure.

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 17273PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,637 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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