CPT code 17281: Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $175.35 for 17281 nationally in the office and $99.53 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $156.82–$228.53.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 17281 covers

This code describes destruction of a malignant skin lesion by a method such as electrodesiccation, cryosurgery, laser treatment, or chemical treatment. It applies to a lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane when its diameter falls in the 0.6–1.0 cm range. Dermatologists commonly perform the service in an office; surgeons may also perform it in office or facility settings. The diagnosis and treated site should support malignant-lesion treatment rather than destruction of a benign or premalignant lesion.

Choose the code by the lesion’s anatomic site and documented diameter, not by the destruction method. Record the site, size, malignant diagnosis, and method in the procedure note; report each treated lesion according to applicable CPT instructions. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. For multiple procedures 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. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and 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.

Where 17281 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

17281 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 17281 rate is calculated

Each of 17281’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 17281

17281 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

17281 compared with similar codes

How to choose

17280Lesion destructionSmall facial or mucosal lesion

The site group and destruction approach are the same, but 17280 is for a lesion measuring 0.5 cm or less.

17282Lesion destructionFace and related sites, 1.1–2.0 cm

The site group and destruction approach are the same, but 17282 is for a lesion measuring 1.1–2.0 cm.

17271Lesion destructionScalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm

The size range is the same, but 17271 applies to the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia rather than the face and related sites.

11641Malignant lesion excisionFace, 0.6–1.0 cm

11641 describes excision of a malignant lesion at the face and related sites in the corresponding size range; this code describes destruction instead.

Codes related to 17281

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates