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

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 Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $395.61 for 17286 in the office and $245.31 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$395.61Office (non-facility)
$245.31Hospital or facility
+12.4%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 Washington, DC area
  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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $395.61. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17286 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$395.61
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$387.77−$7.84
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$383.36−$12.25
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$373.92−$21.69
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$401.29+$5.68
  6. Alaska · Alaska$430.52+$34.91
  7. Alabama · Alabama$321.54−$74.07

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

Every other payment area

17286 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
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
Madera, 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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 17286 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.37× 1.0544.6060
Practice expense5.71× 1.1786.7264
Malpractice0.46× 1.1130.5120
Total RVUs11.8443
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$395.61

Office: (4.37 × 1.054 + 5.71 × 1.178 + 0.46 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $395.61

Facility: (4.37 × 1.054 + 1.89 × 1.178 + 0.46 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $245.31

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, Washington, DC area
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.$306.64
17283Lesion destruction, face or similar site, 2.1–3.0 cmSame facial-site group; for a lesion measuring 2.1 to 3.0 cm.$268.36
17276Skin lesion destruction, specified sites, over 4 cmSame size range, but for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia group.$315.07
17266Lesion destruction, trunk or extremity, over 4 cmSame size range, but for the trunk, arms, or legs group.$261.34
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.$579.79

How 17286 has changed in Washington, DC area

17286 · Office / nonfacility

$395.61

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.07 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $394.54 to $395.61 (0.3%).

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

    $394.54changed to$395.61

    • 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 1.057 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

    $402.86changed to$394.54

    • 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

    $396.29changed to$402.86

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $411.53changed to$396.29

    • 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 1.056 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

    $419.63changed to$411.53

    • 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 1.054 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

    $422.70changed to$419.63

    • 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

    $421.73changed to$422.70

    • 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 1.049 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

    $419.26changed to$421.73

    • 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 1.045 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

    $417.11changed to$419.26

    • 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

    $416.59changed to$417.11

    • 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 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $415.87changed to$416.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.02 changed to 5.03
    • 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

    $416.40changed to$415.87

    • 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

    $414.33changed to$416.40

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $408.42changed to$414.33

    • 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
    • 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

    $413.90changed to$408.42

    • 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
    • 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: $413.90

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$395.61$245.31RVU26D
2026-07-01$395.61$245.31RVU26C
2026-04-01$395.61$245.31RVU26B
2026-01-01$395.61$245.31RVU26A
2025-10-01$394.54$295.83RVU25D
2025-07-01$394.54$295.83RVU25C
2025-04-01$394.54$295.83RVU25B
2025-01-01$394.54$295.83RVU25A
2024-10-01$402.86$298.91RVU24D
2024-07-01$402.86$298.91RVU24C
2024-04-01$402.86$298.91RVU24B
2024-03-09$402.86$298.91RVU24AR
2024-01-01$396.29$294.03RVU24A
2023-10-01$411.53$303.33RVU23D
2023-07-01$411.53$303.33RVU23C
2023-04-01$411.53$303.33RVU23B
2023-01-01$411.53$303.33RVU23A
2022-10-01$419.63$306.71RVU22D
2022-07-01$419.63$306.71RVU22C
2022-04-01$419.63$306.71RVU22B
2022-01-01$419.63$306.71RVU22A
2021-10-01$422.70$310.56RVU21D
2021-07-01$422.70$310.56RVU21C
2021-04-01$422.70$310.56RVU21B
2021-01-01$422.70$310.56RVU21A
2020-10-01$421.73$319.49RVU20D
2020-07-01$421.73$319.49RVU20C
2020-04-01$421.73$319.49RVU20B
2020-01-01$421.73$319.49RVU20A
2019-10-01$419.26$324.16RVU19D
2019-07-01$419.26$324.16RVU19C
2019-04-01$419.26$324.16RVU19B
2019-01-01$419.26$324.16RVU19A
2018-10-01$417.11$325.58RVU18D
2018-07-01$417.11$325.58RVU18C
2018-04-01$417.11$325.58RVU18B
2018-01-01$417.11$325.58RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$416.59$327.07RVU17D
2017-07-01$416.59$327.07RVU17C
2017-04-01$416.59$327.07RVU17B
2017-01-01$416.59$327.07RVU17A
2016-10-01$415.87$326.13RVU16D
2016-07-01$415.87$326.13RVU16C
2016-04-01$415.87$326.13RVU16B
2016-01-01$415.87$326.13RVU16A
2015-10-01$416.40$327.64RVU15D
2015-07-01$416.40$327.64RVU15C
2015-04-01$414.33$326.01RVU15B
2015-01-01$414.33$326.01RVU15A
2014-10-01$408.42$321.44RVU14D
2014-07-01$408.42$321.44RVU14C
2014-04-01$408.42$321.44RVU14B
2014-01-01$408.42$321.44RVU14A
2013-10-01$413.90$321.38RVU13D
2013-07-01$413.90$321.38RVU13C
2013-04-01$413.90$321.38RVU13B
2013-01-01$413.90$321.38RVU13AR

Price 17286 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

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 Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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