FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 17274: Lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm, scalp/neck/hands/feet/genitalia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Destruction of a 3.1-4.0 cm malignant skin lesion on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia, selected by site and diameter.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $270.53 for 17274 in the office and $152.49 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$270.53Office (non-facility)
$152.49Hospital or facility
+13.1%vs the national office rate ($239.15)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17274 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 17274 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 17274 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 17274 covers

Code 17274 represents destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 3.1 through 4.0 cm at a site in the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia group. Dermatologists and other clinicians who treat skin cancers may perform the service in an office procedure room using a destructive technique such as curettage with electrosurgery, cryotherapy, laser, or chemical destruction. This code is used when the treatment plan is destruction rather than removal by excision.

Select the code by the documented lesion diameter and anatomic group, not by the method used. Documentation should identify the malignant diagnosis, treated site, lesion size, and technique; report separate lesions individually when appropriate. 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 paid at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this site-based descriptor. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Washington, DC area compares for 17274

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17274 runs from $214.66 in Arkansas to $308.79 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $270.53. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17274 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$270.53
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$266.39−$4.14
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$257.86−$12.67
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$251.29−$19.24
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$273.02+$2.49
  6. Alaska · Alaska$287.74+$17.21
  7. Alabama · Alabama$217.41−$53.12

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

17274 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$214.66$128.59
ArizonaArizona$233.45$136.36
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$251.43$141.61
Chico, CACalifornia$250.65$140.83
El Centro, CACalifornia$250.69$140.87
Fresno, CACalifornia$250.65$140.83
Hanford, CACalifornia$250.65$140.83
Madera, CACalifornia$250.65$140.83

17274 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.

$214.66

$287.74

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

View every state and territory as a table
17274 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$287.741
AL$217.411
AR$214.661
AZ$233.451
CA$250.65–$308.7929
CO$247.631
CT$253.781
DC$270.531
DE$237.001
FL$236.97–$257.863
GA$225.10–$243.412
GU$255.491
HI$255.491
IA$221.791
ID$223.151
IL$231.24–$251.294
IN$224.281
KS$221.091
KY$222.351
LA$222.13–$231.732
MA$246.51–$269.872
MD$241.06–$270.533
ME$224.40–$234.762
MI$227.62–$239.812
MN$237.481
MO$218.93–$232.213
MS$216.821
MT$239.131
NC$226.421
ND$234.191
NE$222.791
NH$244.051
NJ$256.73–$268.322
NM$228.801
NV$237.901
NY$229.42–$279.205
OH$226.611
OK$221.781
OR$236.09–$254.482
PA$226.80–$248.252
PR$240.621
RI$244.661
SC$226.881
SD$233.611
TN$222.091
TX$225.51–$246.788
UT$229.601
VA$234.23–$270.532
VI$240.621
VT$233.581
WA$245.95–$274.822
WI$227.281
WV$223.761
WY$236.981

See 17274 in every payment locality

How the 17274 rate is calculated

Each of 17274’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 · 17274

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.57

2.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.34

4.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.25

0.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.1600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$239.15

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,638

Code
17274
Physician work
2.57
Practice expense
4.34
Malpractice
0.25

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 17274 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.57× 1.0542.7088
Practice expense4.34× 1.1785.1125
Malpractice0.25× 1.1130.2782
Total RVUs8.0996
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$270.53

Office: (2.57 × 1.054 + 4.34 × 1.178 + 0.25 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $270.53

Facility: (2.57 × 1.054 + 1.34 × 1.178 + 0.25 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $152.49

Open 17274 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17274

17274 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17274

Lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm, 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 · 17274

Lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm, 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

17274 without 51 · national office

$239.15

Lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm, scalp/neck/hands/feet/genitalia

17274-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$119.58

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 17274

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

Codes related to 17274
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
17273Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaSame anatomic group, for a malignant lesion measuring 2.1-3.0 cm.$231.48
17276Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 cmSame anatomic group, for a malignant lesion measuring more than 4.0 cm.$315.07
17264Skin lesion destruction, trunk, arms, or legs; 3.1–4.0 cmSame size range, but for the trunk, arms, or legs.$229.60
17284Malignant lesion destruction, face and related sites, 3.1–4 cmSame size range, but for the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.$306.64
Used instead
11624Skin excision, 3.1–4 cm excised diameterExcision of a similarly sized malignant lesion in the same anatomic group, when excision is performed.$384.10

How 17274 has changed in Washington, DC area

17274 · Office / nonfacility

$270.53

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.89 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $272.42 to $270.53 (0.7%).

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

    $272.42changed to$270.53

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.64 changed to 2.57
    • Practice expense RVU 4.45 changed to 4.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.25
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $280.35changed to$272.42

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.46 changed to 4.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $275.78changed to$280.35

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $287.98changed to$275.78

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.43 changed to 4.46
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $293.12changed to$287.98

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.34 changed to 4.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $293.83changed to$293.12

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.30 changed to 4.34

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $291.27changed to$293.83

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.07 changed to 4.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $289.97changed to$291.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.99 changed to 4.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $288.76changed to$289.97

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.98 changed to 3.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $287.88changed to$288.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 3.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.37
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $286.32changed to$287.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.93 changed to 3.96
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $285.08changed to$286.32

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.92 changed to 3.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.38

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $283.66changed to$285.08

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $279.76changed to$283.66

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.84 changed to 3.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $284.94changed to$279.76

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.33 changed to 3.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $284.94

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$270.53$152.49RVU26D
2026-07-01$270.53$152.49RVU26C
2026-04-01$270.53$152.49RVU26B
2026-01-01$270.53$152.49RVU26A
2025-10-01$272.42$183.74RVU25D
2025-07-01$272.42$183.74RVU25C
2025-04-01$272.42$183.74RVU25B
2025-01-01$272.42$183.74RVU25A
2024-10-01$280.35$186.31RVU24D
2024-07-01$280.35$186.31RVU24C
2024-04-01$280.35$186.31RVU24B
2024-03-09$280.35$186.31RVU24AR
2024-01-01$275.78$183.27RVU24A
2023-10-01$287.98$190.48RVU23D
2023-07-01$287.98$190.48RVU23C
2023-04-01$287.98$190.48RVU23B
2023-01-01$287.98$190.48RVU23A
2022-10-01$293.12$191.75RVU22D
2022-07-01$293.12$191.75RVU22C
2022-04-01$293.12$191.75RVU22B
2022-01-01$293.12$191.75RVU22A
2021-10-01$293.83$192.91RVU21D
2021-07-01$293.83$192.91RVU21C
2021-04-01$293.83$192.91RVU21B
2021-01-01$293.83$192.91RVU21A
2020-10-01$291.27$199.18RVU20D
2020-07-01$291.27$199.18RVU20C
2020-04-01$291.27$199.18RVU20B
2020-01-01$291.27$199.18RVU20A
2019-10-01$289.97$204.42RVU19D
2019-07-01$289.97$204.42RVU19C
2019-04-01$289.97$204.42RVU19B
2019-01-01$289.97$204.42RVU19A
2018-10-01$288.76$205.91RVU18D
2018-07-01$288.76$205.91RVU18C
2018-04-01$288.76$205.91RVU18B
2018-01-01$288.76$205.91RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$287.88$206.15RVU17D
2017-07-01$287.88$206.15RVU17C
2017-04-01$287.88$206.15RVU17B
2017-01-01$287.88$206.15RVU17A
2016-10-01$286.32$205.20RVU16D
2016-07-01$286.32$205.20RVU16C
2016-04-01$286.32$205.20RVU16B
2016-01-01$286.32$205.20RVU16A
2015-10-01$285.08$204.11RVU15D
2015-07-01$285.08$204.11RVU15C
2015-04-01$283.66$203.09RVU15B
2015-01-01$283.66$203.09RVU15A
2014-10-01$279.76$200.53RVU14D
2014-07-01$279.76$200.53RVU14C
2014-04-01$279.76$200.53RVU14B
2014-01-01$279.76$200.53RVU14A
2013-10-01$284.94$199.75RVU13D
2013-07-01$284.94$199.75RVU13C
2013-04-01$284.94$199.75RVU13B
2013-01-01$284.94$199.75RVU13AR

Price 17274 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

17274 billing questions

How is 17274 distinguished from the other destruction codes?

The lesion must measure 3.1 through 4.0 cm and be on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Codes for other anatomic groups or size ranges differ.

Is the code selected by the destruction method?

No. Select it by lesion diameter and anatomic group; the code covers destruction by any method.

Can a related postoperative visit be billed separately?

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

Should modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this site-based descriptor.

How are other procedures performed in the same session paid?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are paid at 50% under the standard multiple procedure reduction.

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 17274PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,638 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 17274 pays in Washington, DC area?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets

Put 17274 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Build my fee sheet