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

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 Houston, TX, Medicare pays $206.24 for 17273 in the office and $117.35 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$206.24Office (non-facility)
$117.35Hospital or facility
+1.1%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 Houston, TX
  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 Houston, TX 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. Houston, TX pays $206.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17273 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$206.24
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$210.93+$4.69
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$192.00−$14.24
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$202.00−$4.24
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$203.23−$3.01
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$202.03−$4.21
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$202.58−$3.66

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

Every other payment area

17273 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$196.86$111.91
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$228.24$122.34
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$231.48$126.03
Miami, FLFlorida$219.58$126.40
Chicago, ILIllinois$213.85$123.89
Manhattan, NYNew York$233.26$129.25
AlaskaAlaska$243.70$148.36
AlabamaAlabama$185.06$106.74

17273 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.

$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 Houston, TX 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

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 17273 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.05× 1.0082.0664
Practice expense3.86× 0.9933.8330
Malpractice0.20× 1.3760.2752
Total RVUs6.1746
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$206.24

Office: (2.05 × 1.008 + 3.86 × 0.993 + 0.2 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $206.24

Facility: (2.05 × 1.008 + 1.18 × 0.993 + 0.2 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $117.35

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

Codes related to 17273

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

Codes related to 17273
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Same family
17272Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; 1.1–2 cmSame site group, for a malignant lesion measuring 1.1 to 2.0 cm.$185.28
17274Lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm, scalp/neck/hands/feet/genitaliaSame site group, for a malignant lesion measuring 3.1 to 4.0 cm.$241.96
17270Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaSame site group, for a malignant lesion measuring 0.5 cm or less.$148.27
17263Malignant lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs, 2.1–3.0 cmSame size range, but for the trunk, arms, or legs.$190.26
17283Lesion destruction, face or similar site, 2.1–3.0 cmSame size range, but for the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes.$240.33

How 17273 has changed in Houston, TX

17273 · Office / nonfacility

$206.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.33 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $207.57 to $206.24 (0.6%).

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

    $207.57changed to$206.24

    • 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 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $214.42changed to$207.57

    • 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

    $210.92changed to$214.42

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $217.40changed to$210.92

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 3.99
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $219.71changed to$217.40

    • 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 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $220.09changed to$219.71

    • 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

    $217.61changed to$220.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.61 changed to 3.84
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $216.42changed to$217.61

    • 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 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $215.12changed to$216.42

    • 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

    $213.80changed to$215.12

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $212.22changed to$213.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.50
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $212.30changed to$212.22

    • 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

    $211.25changed to$212.30

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $207.96changed to$211.25

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $212.08changed to$207.96

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $212.08

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$206.24$117.35RVU26D
2026-07-01$206.24$117.35RVU26C
2026-04-01$206.24$117.35RVU26B
2026-01-01$206.24$117.35RVU26A
2025-10-01$207.57$137.82RVU25D
2025-07-01$207.57$137.82RVU25C
2025-04-01$207.57$137.82RVU25B
2025-01-01$207.57$137.82RVU25A
2024-10-01$214.42$140.63RVU24D
2024-07-01$214.42$140.63RVU24C
2024-04-01$214.42$140.63RVU24B
2024-03-09$214.42$140.63RVU24AR
2024-01-01$210.92$138.34RVU24A
2023-10-01$217.40$141.31RVU23D
2023-07-01$217.40$141.31RVU23C
2023-04-01$217.40$141.31RVU23B
2023-01-01$217.40$141.31RVU23A
2022-10-01$219.71$141.01RVU22D
2022-07-01$219.71$141.01RVU22C
2022-04-01$219.71$141.01RVU22B
2022-01-01$219.71$141.01RVU22A
2021-10-01$220.09$142.18RVU21D
2021-07-01$220.09$142.18RVU21C
2021-04-01$220.09$142.18RVU21B
2021-01-01$220.09$142.18RVU21A
2020-10-01$217.61$146.56RVU20D
2020-07-01$217.61$146.56RVU20C
2020-04-01$217.61$146.56RVU20B
2020-01-01$217.61$146.56RVU20A
2019-10-01$216.42$149.68RVU19D
2019-07-01$216.42$149.68RVU19C
2019-04-01$216.42$149.68RVU19B
2019-01-01$216.42$149.68RVU19A
2018-10-01$215.12$151.00RVU18D
2018-07-01$215.12$151.00RVU18C
2018-04-01$215.12$151.00RVU18B
2018-01-01$215.12$151.00RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$213.80$150.79RVU17D
2017-07-01$213.80$150.79RVU17C
2017-04-01$213.80$150.79RVU17B
2017-01-01$213.80$150.79RVU17A
2016-10-01$212.22$149.91RVU16D
2016-07-01$212.22$149.91RVU16C
2016-04-01$212.22$149.91RVU16B
2016-01-01$212.22$149.91RVU16A
2015-10-01$212.30$149.76RVU15D
2015-07-01$212.30$149.76RVU15C
2015-04-01$211.25$149.02RVU15B
2015-01-01$211.25$149.02RVU15A
2014-10-01$207.96$147.90RVU14D
2014-07-01$207.96$147.90RVU14C
2014-04-01$207.96$147.90RVU14B
2014-01-01$207.96$147.90RVU14A
2013-10-01$212.08$146.63RVU13D
2013-07-01$212.08$146.63RVU13C
2013-04-01$212.08$146.63RVU13B
2013-01-01$212.08$146.63RVU13AR

Price 17273 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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