FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 17280: Lesion destruction, small facial or mucosal lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Destruction of a malignant lesion no larger than 0.5 cm on the face, ear, eyelid, nose, lip, or mucous membrane using a destructive technique.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality18K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $131.24 for 17280 in the office and $72.74 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$131.24Office (non-facility)
$72.74Hospital or facility
−5.1%vs the national office rate ($138.28)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17280 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 17280 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 17280 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 17280 covers

Code 17280 covers destruction of a malignant lesion measuring 0.5 cm or less on the face, ear, eyelid, nose, lip, or mucous membrane. The physician destroys the lesion rather than removing it by excision; techniques may include electrosurgery, cryotherapy, or laser treatment. Dermatologists and other physicians treating skin cancers commonly perform this service in an office or facility setting.

Select the code using the lesion’s anatomic site and greatest diameter before treatment, not the treatment field or resulting defect. Documentation should identify the site, measurement, malignant diagnosis, and technique. This minor procedure has a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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 New Mexico compares for 17280

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17280 runs from $123.01 in Arkansas to $182.57 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $131.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17280 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$131.24
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$155.86+$24.62
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$157.70+$26.46
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$148.28+$17.04
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$144.22+$12.98
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$158.49+$27.25
  7. Alaska · Alaska$162.50+$31.26

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

Every other payment area

17280 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$124.72$68.90
ArkansasArkansas$123.01$68.21
ArizonaArizona$134.77$72.95
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$146.54$76.62
Chico, CACalifornia$146.17$76.25
El Centro, CACalifornia$146.19$76.27
Fresno, CACalifornia$146.17$76.25
Hanford, CACalifornia$146.17$76.25

17280 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.

$123.01

$164.37

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

View every state and territory as a table
17280 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$162.501
AL$124.721
AR$123.011
AZ$134.771
CA$146.17–$182.5729
CO$143.931
CT$147.191
DC$157.701
DE$136.941
FL$136.14–$148.283
GA$128.84–$140.722
GU$149.541
HI$149.541
IA$127.831
ID$128.611
IL$132.31–$144.224
IN$129.321
KS$127.221
KY$127.451
LA$127.24–$133.252
MA$143.11–$157.812
MD$139.48–$157.703
ME$129.20–$135.952
MI$130.57–$137.722
MN$138.201
MO$125.13–$133.753
MS$124.091
MT$138.271
NC$130.501
ND$135.901
NE$128.511
NH$141.651
NJ$148.95–$156.182
NM$131.241
NV$137.701
NY$132.36–$162.125
OH$130.091
OK$127.271
OR$136.71–$148.382
PA$130.31–$143.642
PR$139.261
RI$141.721
SC$130.491
SD$135.621
TN$127.821
TX$129.49–$143.388
UT$132.201
VA$135.49–$157.702
VI$139.261
VT$135.351
WA$142.85–$160.992
WI$131.541
WV$127.621
WY$137.241

See 17280 in every payment locality

How the 17280 rate is calculated

Each of 17280’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 · 17280

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.83

2.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.1400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$138.28

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,640

Code
17280
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
2.83
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 17280 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense2.83× 0.9172.5951
Malpractice0.12× 1.2010.1441
Total RVUs3.9292
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$131.24

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 2.83 × 0.917 + 0.12 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $131.24

Facility: (1.19 × 1 + 0.92 × 0.917 + 0.12 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $72.74

Open 17280 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17280

17280 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17280

Lesion destruction, small facial or mucosal lesion

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 · 17280

Lesion destruction, small facial or mucosal lesion

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

17280 without 51 · national office

$138.28

Lesion destruction, small facial or mucosal lesion

17280-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$69.14

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 17280

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

Codes related to 17280
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Same family
17281Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cmSame facial and mucosal site group; the lesion measures 0.6 to 1.0 cm.$167.21
17282Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 1.1–2.0 cmSame facial and mucosal site group; the lesion measures 1.1 to 2.0 cm.$191.32
17270Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitaliaMalignant lesion destruction at the corresponding size level on a different site group.$139.71
17260Skin lesion destruction, trunk, arms, legs, 0.5 cm or lessMalignant lesion destruction for the trunk, arms, or legs rather than facial or mucosal sites.$92.19

How 17280 has changed in New Mexico

17280 · Office / nonfacility

$131.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.97 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $129.27 to $131.24 (1.5%).

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

    $129.27changed to$131.24

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 2.89 changed to 2.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $133.34changed to$129.27

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.89

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $131.16changed to$133.34

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $133.52changed to$131.16

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.86 changed to 2.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $133.79changed to$133.52

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.81 changed to 2.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $134.77changed to$133.79

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.78 changed to 2.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $134.35changed to$134.77

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.61 changed to 2.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $137.36changed to$134.35

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $139.20changed to$137.36

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.63 changed to 2.57

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $137.41changed to$139.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.60 changed to 2.63
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $136.06changed to$137.41

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.58 changed to 2.60
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $136.04changed to$136.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $135.37changed to$136.04

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $133.15changed to$135.37

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.52 changed to 2.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $136.43changed to$133.15

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.85 changed to 2.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $136.43

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$131.24$72.74RVU26D
2026-07-01$131.24$72.74RVU26C
2026-04-01$131.24$72.74RVU26B
2026-01-01$131.24$72.74RVU26A
2025-10-01$129.27$82.57RVU25D
2025-07-01$129.27$82.57RVU25C
2025-04-01$129.27$82.57RVU25B
2025-01-01$129.27$82.57RVU25A
2024-10-01$133.34$83.77RVU24D
2024-07-01$133.34$83.77RVU24C
2024-04-01$133.34$83.77RVU24B
2024-03-09$133.34$83.77RVU24AR
2024-01-01$131.16$82.40RVU24A
2023-10-01$133.52$83.39RVU23D
2023-07-01$133.52$83.39RVU23C
2023-04-01$133.52$83.39RVU23B
2023-01-01$133.52$83.39RVU23A
2022-10-01$133.79$82.94RVU22D
2022-07-01$133.79$82.94RVU22C
2022-04-01$133.79$82.94RVU22B
2022-01-01$133.79$82.94RVU22A
2021-10-01$134.77$84.13RVU21D
2021-07-01$134.77$84.13RVU21C
2021-04-01$134.77$84.13RVU21B
2021-01-01$134.77$84.13RVU21A
2020-10-01$134.35$86.51RVU20D
2020-07-01$134.35$86.51RVU20C
2020-04-01$134.35$86.51RVU20B
2020-01-01$134.35$86.51RVU20A
2019-10-01$137.36$91.22RVU19D
2019-07-01$137.36$91.22RVU19C
2019-04-01$137.36$91.22RVU19B
2019-01-01$137.36$91.22RVU19A
2018-10-01$139.20$92.12RVU18D
2018-07-01$139.20$92.12RVU18C
2018-04-01$139.20$92.12RVU18B
2018-01-01$139.20$92.12RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$137.41$91.84RVU17D
2017-07-01$137.41$91.84RVU17C
2017-04-01$137.41$91.84RVU17B
2017-01-01$137.41$91.84RVU17A
2016-10-01$136.06$90.65RVU16D
2016-07-01$136.06$90.65RVU16C
2016-04-01$136.06$90.65RVU16B
2016-01-01$136.06$90.65RVU16A
2015-10-01$136.04$90.47RVU15D
2015-07-01$136.04$90.47RVU15C
2015-04-01$135.37$90.02RVU15B
2015-01-01$135.37$90.02RVU15A
2014-10-01$133.15$89.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$133.15$89.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$133.15$89.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$133.15$89.08RVU14A
2013-10-01$136.43$88.75RVU13D
2013-07-01$136.43$88.75RVU13C
2013-04-01$136.43$88.75RVU13B
2013-01-01$136.43$88.75RVU13AR

Price 17280 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

17280 billing questions

When should 17280 be chosen instead of 17281?

Use 17280 for a qualifying facial or mucosal malignant lesion measuring 0.5 cm or less. Code 17281 covers the same site group when the lesion measures 0.6 to 1.0 cm.

How does 17280 differ from 17270?

The site determines the code. Code 17280 is for the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane; 17270 is for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia at the corresponding size level.

Does 17280 describe excision of a skin cancer?

No. It describes destruction of the malignant lesion. Choose an excision service when the lesion is removed by excision rather than destroyed.

What measurement should the record support?

Document the lesion’s greatest diameter before treatment and its precise site. The 0.5 cm threshold is based on the lesion, not the treatment area or post-treatment defect.

Can modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

Are related postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. If multiple procedures are performed in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and the others at 50%.

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 17280PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,640 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 17280 pays in New Mexico?

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

Fee sheets

Put 17280 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

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

Build my fee sheet