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CPT code 17276: Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports destructive treatment of a malignant skin lesion over 4.0 cm on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genital area.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $315.07 for 17276 in the office and $183.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$315.07Office (non-facility)
$183.65Hospital or facility
+12.8%vs the national office rate ($279.23)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17276 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 17276 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 17276 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 17276 covers

Code 17276 represents destructive treatment of a malignant skin lesion in the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genital area when the lesion is over 4.0 cm. Destruction may use an accepted technique such as electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser, or chemical treatment; this code is not for surgical removal by excision. Dermatologists and other physicians treating skin cancer commonly perform the service in an office procedure room, with occasional facility use. Documentation should identify the malignant diagnosis, exact site, lesion diameter, and treatment performed.

Select the code by the anatomic group and documented lesion size. Code 17274 covers the same sites for lesions measuring 3.1 through 4.0 cm; codes for other site groups are not interchangeable. Medicare assigns a 10-day minor-procedure global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures subject to the reduction are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare 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 17276

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17276 runs from $250.88 in Arkansas to $357.21 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $315.07. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17276 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$315.07
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$309.40−$5.67
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$303.24−$11.83
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$295.49−$19.58
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$318.91+$3.84
  6. Alaska · Alaska$337.60+$22.53
  7. Alabama · Alabama$254.05−$61.02

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

Every other payment area

17276 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$250.88$155.05
ArizonaArizona$272.57$164.47
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$292.35$170.09
Chico, CACalifornia$291.31$169.04
El Centro, CACalifornia$291.37$169.10
Fresno, CACalifornia$291.31$169.04
Hanford, CACalifornia$291.31$169.04
Madera, CACalifornia$291.31$169.04

17276 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.

$250.88

$337.60

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

View every state and territory as a table
17276 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$337.601
AL$254.051
AR$250.881
AZ$272.571
CA$291.31–$357.2129
CO$288.381
CT$296.211
DC$315.071
DE$276.671
FL$277.82–$303.243
GA$263.92–$284.422
GU$296.641
HI$296.641
IA$258.611
ID$260.291
IL$271.53–$295.494
IN$261.571
KS$258.051
KY$260.281
LA$260.13–$271.222
MA$287.21–$313.752
MD$281.30–$315.073
ME$261.98–$273.582
MI$266.60–$281.352
MN$275.931
MO$256.58–$271.483
MS$253.751
MT$279.211
NC$264.281
ND$272.491
NE$259.691
NH$284.451
NJ$299.47–$312.592
NM$268.071
NV$277.501
NY$267.76–$326.365
OH$265.231
OK$259.371
OR$275.21–$296.002
PA$265.32–$289.972
PR$280.841
RI$285.361
SC$265.221
SD$271.691
TN$259.231
TX$263.85–$287.548
UT$268.351
VA$273.14–$315.072
VI$280.841
VT$272.001
WA$286.48–$319.222
WI$264.571
WV$262.901
WY$276.281

See 17276 in every payment locality

How the 17276 rate is calculated

Each of 17276’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 · 17276

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.17

3.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.85

4.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.34

0.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.3600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$279.23

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

1,639

Code
17276
Physician work
3.17
Practice expense
4.85
Malpractice
0.34

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 17276 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.17× 1.0543.3412
Practice expense4.85× 1.1785.7133
Malpractice0.34× 1.1130.3784
Total RVUs9.4329
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$315.07

Office: (3.17 × 1.054 + 4.85 × 1.178 + 0.34 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $315.07

Facility: (3.17 × 1.054 + 1.51 × 1.178 + 0.34 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $183.65

Open 17276 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17276

17276 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17276

Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 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 · 17276

Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 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

17276 without 51 · national office

$279.23

Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 cm

17276-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$139.62

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 17276

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

Codes related to 17276
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
17274Lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm, scalp/neck/hands/feet/genitaliaSame anatomic group; for malignant lesions measuring 3.1 through 4.0 cm.$270.53
17273Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaSame anatomic group; for malignant lesions measuring 2.1 through 3.0 cm.$231.48
17272Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; 1.1–2 cmSame anatomic group; for malignant lesions measuring 1.1 through 2.0 cm.$208.29
Used instead
17266Lesion destruction, trunk or extremity, over 4 cmFor a lesion over 4.0 cm in the trunk, arms, or legs site group.$261.34
17286Lesion destruction, facial site, over 4 cmFor a lesion over 4.0 cm in the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips site group.$395.61

How 17276 has changed in Washington, DC area

17276 · Office / nonfacility

$315.07

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.26 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $314.81 to $315.07 (0.1%).

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

    $314.81changed to$315.07

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.25 changed to 3.17
    • Practice expense RVU 4.93 changed to 4.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.34
    • 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

    $324.37changed to$314.81

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.95 changed to 4.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $319.07changed to$324.37

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $333.31changed to$319.07

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.92 changed to 4.95
    • 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

    $339.92changed to$333.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.83 changed to 4.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35
    • 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

    $339.67changed to$339.92

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.78 changed to 4.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $336.06changed to$339.67

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.51 changed to 4.78
    • 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

    $334.36changed to$336.06

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.41 changed to 4.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.31
    • 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

    $333.15changed to$334.36

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.38 changed to 4.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $331.32changed to$333.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.36 changed to 4.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $330.63changed to$331.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.34 changed to 4.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45
    • 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

    $328.65changed to$330.63

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.32 changed to 4.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.46

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $327.02changed to$328.65

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $324.24changed to$327.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.23 changed to 4.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.41
    • 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

    $328.87changed to$324.24

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.77 changed to 4.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.46
    • 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: $328.87

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$315.07$183.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$315.07$183.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$315.07$183.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$315.07$183.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$314.81$220.34RVU25D
2025-07-01$314.81$220.34RVU25C
2025-04-01$314.81$220.34RVU25B
2025-01-01$314.81$220.34RVU25A
2024-10-01$324.37$224.38RVU24D
2024-07-01$324.37$224.38RVU24C
2024-04-01$324.37$224.38RVU24B
2024-03-09$324.37$224.38RVU24AR
2024-01-01$319.07$220.72RVU24A
2023-10-01$333.31$229.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$333.31$229.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$333.31$229.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$333.31$229.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$339.92$230.84RVU22D
2022-07-01$339.92$230.84RVU22C
2022-04-01$339.92$230.84RVU22B
2022-01-01$339.92$230.84RVU22A
2021-10-01$339.67$231.85RVU21D
2021-07-01$339.67$231.85RVU21C
2021-04-01$339.67$231.85RVU21B
2021-01-01$339.67$231.85RVU21A
2020-10-01$336.06$238.68RVU20D
2020-07-01$336.06$238.68RVU20C
2020-04-01$336.06$238.68RVU20B
2020-01-01$336.06$238.68RVU20A
2019-10-01$334.36$243.60RVU19D
2019-07-01$334.36$243.60RVU19C
2019-04-01$334.36$243.60RVU19B
2019-01-01$334.36$243.60RVU19A
2018-10-01$333.15$245.96RVU18D
2018-07-01$333.15$245.96RVU18C
2018-04-01$333.15$245.96RVU18B
2018-01-01$333.15$245.96RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$331.32$245.69RVU17D
2017-07-01$331.32$245.69RVU17C
2017-04-01$331.32$245.69RVU17B
2017-01-01$331.32$245.69RVU17A
2016-10-01$330.63$246.06RVU16D
2016-07-01$330.63$246.06RVU16C
2016-04-01$330.63$246.06RVU16B
2016-01-01$330.63$246.06RVU16A
2015-10-01$328.65$244.22RVU15D
2015-07-01$328.65$244.22RVU15C
2015-04-01$327.02$243.00RVU15B
2015-01-01$327.02$243.00RVU15A
2014-10-01$324.24$242.00RVU14D
2014-07-01$324.24$242.00RVU14C
2014-04-01$324.24$242.00RVU14B
2014-01-01$324.24$242.00RVU14A
2013-10-01$328.87$240.01RVU13D
2013-07-01$328.87$240.01RVU13C
2013-04-01$328.87$240.01RVU13B
2013-01-01$328.87$240.01RVU13AR

Price 17276 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

17276 billing questions

Which lesion size belongs to 17276?

Use 17276 for a malignant lesion over 4.0 cm at the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genital area. A lesion measuring 3.1 through 4.0 cm at those sites falls in 17274.

Does the site affect code selection?

Yes. The size range alone is not enough: 17276 is for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genital area. A lesion over 4.0 cm in another anatomic group requires that group's code.

Is excision reported with 17276?

No. This code describes destruction of a malignant skin lesion, not its surgical removal by excision. The operative documentation should support the destructive treatment performed.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. Medicare includes related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period in the procedure payment.

How does Medicare handle another procedure performed in the same session?

Under the standard multiple-procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures subject to the reduction are paid at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for 17276.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.

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 17276PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,639 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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