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CPT code 17286: Lesion destruction, facial site, over 4 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Reports destruction of a malignant lesion over 4 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips using a destructive treatment method.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality944 Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $372.88 for 17286 in the office and $235.46 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$372.88Office (non-facility)
$235.46Hospital or facility
+5.9%vs the national office rate ($352.05)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17286 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 17286 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 17286 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 17286 covers

This service treats a malignant skin lesion in the face, ear, eyelid, nose, or lip region by destroying the lesion rather than removing it as an excision specimen. Methods may include electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser treatment, or chemical destruction. Dermatologists and other qualified physicians commonly perform it in an office procedure room; it may also be performed in a facility. A biopsy may establish the diagnosis before treatment, since destruction itself does not provide an intact specimen for pathologic examination.

Select the code by the specified anatomic group and the lesion diameter; this code is for a lesion over 4.0 cm. Document the malignant diagnosis, treated site, size, and method. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is not appropriate for this service. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for it, 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 Connecticut compares for 17286

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17286 runs from $317.70 in Arkansas to $445.27 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $372.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17286 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$372.88
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$387.77+$14.89
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$395.61+$22.73
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$383.36+$10.48
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$373.92+$1.04
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$401.29+$28.41
  7. Alaska · Alaska$430.52+$57.64

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

Every other payment area

17286 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$321.54$209.89
ArkansasArkansas$317.70$208.10
ArizonaArizona$343.92$220.28
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$367.12$227.28
Chico, CACalifornia$365.71$225.87
El Centro, CACalifornia$365.78$225.94
Fresno, CACalifornia$365.71$225.87
Hanford, CACalifornia$365.71$225.87

17286 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.

$317.70

$430.52

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

View every state and territory as a table
17286 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$430.521
AL$321.541
AR$317.701
AZ$343.921
CA$365.71–$445.2729
CO$362.641
CT$372.881
DC$395.611
DE$348.931
FL$351.38–$383.363
GA$334.40–$358.622
GU$371.711
HI$371.711
IA$326.571
ID$328.691
IL$344.10–$373.924
IN$330.231
KS$326.121
KY$329.571
LA$329.47–$342.882
MA$361.37–$393.342
MD$354.53–$395.613
ME$330.98–$344.662
MI$337.43–$355.912
MN$346.761
MO$325.33–$342.923
MS$321.531
MT$352.011
NC$333.721
ND$342.921
NE$327.801
NH$357.941
NJ$376.92–$392.802
NM$339.301
NV$349.671
NY$337.95–$410.605
OH$335.581
OK$328.211
OR$346.72–$371.622
PA$335.56–$365.462
PR$353.911
RI$359.451
SC$335.251
SD$341.841
TN$327.581
TX$333.79–$361.658
UT$339.041
VA$344.29–$395.612
VI$353.911
VT$342.551
WA$360.38–$399.832
WI$333.401
WV$333.681
WY$348.051

See 17286 in every payment locality

How the 17286 rate is calculated

Each of 17286’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 · 17286

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.37

4.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.71

5.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.46

0.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

10.5400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$352.05

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,645

Code
17286
Physician work
4.37
Practice expense
5.71
Malpractice
0.46

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 17286 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.37× 1.0204.4574
Practice expense5.71× 1.0776.1497
Malpractice0.46× 1.2100.5566
Total RVUs11.1637
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$372.88

Office: (4.37 × 1.02 + 5.71 × 1.077 + 0.46 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $372.88

Facility: (4.37 × 1.02 + 1.89 × 1.077 + 0.46 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $235.46

Open 17286 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17286

17286 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 17286

Lesion destruction, facial site, 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 · 17286

Lesion destruction, facial site, 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

17286 without 51 · national office

$352.05

Lesion destruction, facial site, over 4 cm

17286-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$176.03

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 17286

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

Codes related to 17286
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Same family
17284Malignant lesion destruction, face and related sites, 3.1–4 cmSame facial-site group; for a lesion measuring 3.1 to 4.0 cm.$288.34
17283Lesion destruction, face or similar site, 2.1–3.0 cmSame facial-site group; for a lesion measuring 2.1 to 3.0 cm.$251.89
17276Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 cmSame size range, but for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia group.$296.21
17266Lesion destruction, trunk or extremity, over 4 cmSame size range, but for the trunk, arms, or legs group.$244.80
Used instead
11646Malignant lesion excision, face and related sites, over 4 cmExcision may be selected instead when the malignant facial lesion is removed with margins rather than destroyed.$547.67

How 17286 has changed in Connecticut

17286 · Office / nonfacility

$372.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.64 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $371.24 to $372.88 (0.4%).

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

    $371.24changed to$372.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.48 changed to 4.37
    • Practice expense RVU 5.77 changed to 5.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.46
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $379.02changed to$371.24

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $372.84changed to$379.02

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $383.67changed to$372.84

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.47
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $388.24changed to$383.67

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.54 changed to 5.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.46
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $391.01changed to$388.24

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.52 changed to 5.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.43

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $395.00changed to$391.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.23 changed to 5.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.44
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $398.13changed to$395.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.11 changed to 5.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.47
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $396.19changed to$398.13

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.05 changed to 5.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.63

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $396.03changed to$396.19

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.03 changed to 5.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.65
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $395.29changed to$396.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.02 changed to 5.03
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $395.75changed to$395.29

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.04 changed to 5.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.67

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $393.79changed to$395.75

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $389.72changed to$393.79

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.93 changed to 5.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.63
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $395.72changed to$389.72

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.60 changed to 4.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.64
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $395.72

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$372.88$235.46RVU26D
2026-07-01$372.88$235.46RVU26C
2026-04-01$372.88$235.46RVU26B
2026-01-01$372.88$235.46RVU26A
2025-10-01$371.24$280.90RVU25D
2025-07-01$371.24$280.90RVU25C
2025-04-01$371.24$280.90RVU25B
2025-01-01$371.24$280.90RVU25A
2024-10-01$379.02$283.87RVU24D
2024-07-01$379.02$283.87RVU24C
2024-04-01$379.02$283.87RVU24B
2024-03-09$379.02$283.87RVU24AR
2024-01-01$372.84$279.24RVU24A
2023-10-01$383.67$285.45RVU23D
2023-07-01$383.67$285.45RVU23C
2023-04-01$383.67$285.45RVU23B
2023-01-01$383.67$285.45RVU23A
2022-10-01$388.24$286.47RVU22D
2022-07-01$388.24$286.47RVU22C
2022-04-01$388.24$286.47RVU22B
2022-01-01$388.24$286.47RVU22A
2021-10-01$391.01$289.95RVU21D
2021-07-01$391.01$289.95RVU21C
2021-04-01$391.01$289.95RVU21B
2021-01-01$391.01$289.95RVU21A
2020-10-01$395.00$301.81RVU20D
2020-07-01$395.00$301.81RVU20C
2020-04-01$395.00$301.81RVU20B
2020-01-01$395.00$301.81RVU20A
2019-10-01$398.13$310.36RVU19D
2019-07-01$398.13$310.36RVU19C
2019-04-01$398.13$310.36RVU19B
2019-01-01$398.13$310.36RVU19A
2018-10-01$396.19$311.72RVU18D
2018-07-01$396.19$311.72RVU18C
2018-04-01$396.19$311.72RVU18B
2018-01-01$396.19$311.72RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$396.03$313.05RVU17D
2017-07-01$396.03$313.05RVU17C
2017-04-01$396.03$313.05RVU17B
2017-01-01$396.03$313.05RVU17A
2016-10-01$395.29$311.81RVU16D
2016-07-01$395.29$311.81RVU16C
2016-04-01$395.29$311.81RVU16B
2016-01-01$395.29$311.81RVU16A
2015-10-01$395.75$313.18RVU15D
2015-07-01$395.75$313.18RVU15C
2015-04-01$393.79$311.62RVU15B
2015-01-01$393.79$311.62RVU15A
2014-10-01$389.72$308.97RVU14D
2014-07-01$389.72$308.97RVU14C
2014-04-01$389.72$308.97RVU14B
2014-01-01$389.72$308.97RVU14A
2013-10-01$395.72$309.99RVU13D
2013-07-01$395.72$309.99RVU13C
2013-04-01$395.72$309.99RVU13B
2013-01-01$395.72$309.99RVU13AR

Price 17286 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

17286 billing questions

How is this code distinguished from 17284?

Both codes concern destruction of a malignant lesion in the face, ear, eyelid, nose, or lip group. Use 17286 when the lesion diameter is over 4.0 cm; 17284 is for the 3.1-to-4.0 cm range.

When would 17276 be more appropriate?

17276 is for a malignant lesion over 4.0 cm in its separate anatomic group, including the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Choose by the treated site, not size alone.

Can destruction and a biopsy be reported together?

A separately performed diagnostic biopsy may be reported when it is distinct from the destruction and the documentation supports it. Destruction does not itself provide a specimen for histologic examination.

Should modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. Modifier 50 is not appropriate for this service. Document each treated site and lesion so the reported service reflects the actual treatment.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

CMS applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction: the highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures performed in that session are paid at 50%.

Are postoperative visits included?

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

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 17286PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,645 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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