CPT code 17281: Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Reports destruction by any method of a malignant lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.
Medicare pays $173.22–$187.25 for 17281 in the office in Oregon, from Rest of Oregon to Portland, OR. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
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 in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $187.25 | $103.01 |
| Rest of Oregon | $173.22 | $97.70 |
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.
How the rate is built · 17281
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.73
1.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.35
3.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.17
0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.2500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$175.35
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 17281
17281 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 17281
Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cm
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 17281
Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 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.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
17281 without 51 · national office
$175.35
Lesion destruction, face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cm
17281-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$87.68
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%).
17281 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
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.
17281 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 17280?
Both cover destruction of a malignant lesion at the same group of sites. Use 17280 for a lesion measuring 0.5 cm or less; this code is for 0.6–1.0 cm.
When should 17271 be used instead?
17271 covers a 0.6–1.0 cm malignant lesion on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. This code applies to the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.
Can the destruction method change the code?
No. The code selection turns on the lesion’s size and site; the procedure note should identify the method used.
Are related postoperative visits separately reported?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure.
Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be reported?
Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
How are other procedures performed in the same session paid?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full; other procedures are subject to 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
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