CPT code 17311: Mohs surgery, first stage, head/neck/hands/feet/genitalia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Dakota

Report the first Mohs stage, including up to five tissue blocks, for tumors at specified sites or surgery directly involving specified deep structures.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality934.9K Medicare services in 2024

In South Dakota, Medicare pays $653.93 for 17311 in the office and $273.83 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$653.93Office (non-facility)
$273.83Hospital or facility
−2.0%vs the national office rate ($667.02)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17311 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 17311 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Dakota
  2. What 17311 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 17311 covers

Mohs micrographic surgery removes a skin cancer, usually basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, in mapped stages. The Mohs surgeon excises the tumor, maps and color-codes the tissue, oversees frozen-section processing, and personally examines slides for peripheral and deep margins. Code 17311 covers the first stage and up to five tissue blocks for a tumor on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. It also covers tumors at other sites when surgery directly involves muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. Mohs-trained dermatologic surgeons usually perform this work in an office.

Report one unit per distinct tumor’s first stage. Document the tumor site, biopsy diagnosis, stage maps, block count, and surgeon’s slide interpretation. Report additional stages with 17312 and each block beyond five in a stage with 17315; report qualifying defect repairs separately. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces other procedures subject to the multiple-procedure rule to 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for 17311; assistant-at-surgery payment is prohibited, and co-surgeon and team-surgery arrangements 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 South Dakota compares for 17311

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17311 runs from $594.68 in Arkansas to $876.89 in San Benito County, CA. South Dakota pays $653.93. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17311 in South Dakota vs other payment areas
  1. South Dakota · this page$653.93
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$750.16+$96.23
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$759.41+$105.48
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$715.40+$61.47
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$696.18+$42.25
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$763.62+$109.69
  7. Alaska · Alaska$788.15+$134.22

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

Every other payment area

17311 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$602.81$270.22
ArkansasArkansas$594.68$268.17
ArizonaArizona$650.38$282.06
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$705.89$289.30
Chico, CACalifornia$704.05$287.46
El Centro, CACalifornia$704.15$287.56
Fresno, CACalifornia$704.05$287.46
Hanford, CACalifornia$704.05$287.46

17311 rates by state

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

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.

$594.68

$790.47

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

View every state and territory as a table
17311 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$788.151
AL$602.811
AR$594.681
AZ$650.381
CA$704.05–$876.8929
CO$693.621
CT$709.481
DC$759.411
DE$660.691
FL$657.34–$715.403
GA$622.71–$678.712
GU$719.721
HI$719.721
IA$617.291
ID$621.011
IL$639.38–$696.184
IN$624.381
KS$614.501
KY$615.921
LA$614.99–$643.432
MA$689.85–$759.512
MD$672.76–$759.413
ME$623.95–$655.742
MI$630.82–$664.952
MN$666.051
MO$605.06–$645.683
MS$599.991
MT$666.981
NC$630.071
ND$655.311
NE$620.481
NH$682.811
NJ$717.97–$752.322
NM$634.021
NV$664.171
NY$638.90–$780.995
OH$628.441
OK$614.981
OR$659.38–$714.632
PA$629.42–$692.712
PR$671.621
RI$683.421
SC$630.221
SD$653.931
TN$617.381
TX$625.55–$691.008
UT$638.291
VA$653.65–$759.412
VI$671.621
VT$652.831
WA$688.53–$774.582
WI$634.681
WV$617.181
WY$661.891

See 17311 in every payment locality

How the 17311 rate is calculated

Each of 17311’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 · 17311

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work6.05

6.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense13.33

13.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.59

0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

19.9700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$667.02

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

The exact South Dakota inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,646

Code
17311
Physician work
6.05
Practice expense
13.33
Malpractice
0.59

GPCI2026.csv

94

Locality
South Dakota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.336
Office calculation for 17311 in South Dakota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work6.05× 1.0006.0500
Practice expense13.33× 1.00013.3300
Malpractice0.59× 0.3360.1982
Total RVUs19.5782
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Dakota$653.93

Office: (6.05 × 1 + 13.33 × 1 + 0.59 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $653.93

Facility: (6.05 × 1 + 1.95 × 1 + 0.59 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $273.83

Open 17311 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17311

The CMS indicators that decide how 17311 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 17311

Mohs surgery, first stage, head/neck/hands/feet/genitalia

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

17311 without 51 · national office

$667.02

Mohs surgery, first stage, head/neck/hands/feet/genitalia

17311-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$333.51

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

How 17311 has changed in South Dakota

17311 · Office / nonfacility

$653.93

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.56 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $648.37 to $653.93 (0.9%).

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

    $648.37changed to$653.93

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 6.20 changed to 6.05
    • Practice expense RVU 13.60 changed to 13.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.59
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.382 changed to 0.336

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $667.56changed to$648.37

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 13.61 changed to 13.60

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $656.67changed to$667.56

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $674.58changed to$656.67

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 13.47 changed to 13.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.64
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $674.07changed to$674.58

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 13.07 changed to 13.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.65
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $676.74changed to$674.07

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 12.99 changed to 13.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.60

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $666.93changed to$676.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 12.07 changed to 12.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.57 changed to 0.59
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $663.54changed to$666.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 11.85 changed to 12.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.93 changed to 0.57
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $657.28changed to$663.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 11.70 changed to 11.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.92 changed to 0.93

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $654.16changed to$657.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 11.66 changed to 11.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.93 changed to 0.92
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $650.06changed to$654.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 11.58 changed to 11.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.94 changed to 0.93
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $651.33changed to$650.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 11.59 changed to 11.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.84 changed to 0.94

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $648.09changed to$651.33

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $638.91changed to$648.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 11.29 changed to 11.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.83 changed to 0.84
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $647.66changed to$638.91

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 12.46 changed to 11.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.87 changed to 0.83
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $647.66

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$653.93$273.83RVU26D
2026-07-01$653.93$273.83RVU26C
2026-04-01$653.93$273.83RVU26B
2026-01-01$653.93$273.83RVU26A
2025-10-01$648.37$330.08RVU25D
2025-07-01$648.37$330.08RVU25C
2025-04-01$648.37$330.08RVU25B
2025-01-01$648.37$330.08RVU25A
2024-10-01$667.56$337.02RVU24D
2024-07-01$667.56$337.02RVU24C
2024-04-01$667.56$337.02RVU24B
2024-03-09$667.56$337.02RVU24AR
2024-01-01$656.67$331.52RVU24A
2023-10-01$674.58$342.15RVU23D
2023-07-01$674.58$342.15RVU23C
2023-04-01$674.58$342.15RVU23B
2023-01-01$674.58$342.15RVU23A
2022-10-01$674.07$344.27RVU22D
2022-07-01$674.07$344.27RVU22C
2022-04-01$674.07$344.27RVU22B
2022-01-01$674.07$344.27RVU22A
2021-10-01$676.74$348.05RVU21D
2021-07-01$676.74$348.05RVU21C
2021-04-01$676.74$348.05RVU21B
2021-01-01$676.74$348.05RVU21A
2020-10-01$666.93$362.69RVU20D
2020-07-01$666.93$362.69RVU20C
2020-04-01$666.93$362.69RVU20B
2020-01-01$666.93$362.69RVU20A
2019-10-01$663.54$369.46RVU19D
2019-07-01$663.54$369.46RVU19C
2019-04-01$663.54$369.46RVU19B
2019-01-01$663.54$369.46RVU19A
2018-10-01$657.28$371.80RVU18D
2018-07-01$657.28$371.80RVU18C
2018-04-01$657.28$371.80RVU18B
2018-01-01$657.28$371.80RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$654.16$372.43RVU17D
2017-07-01$654.16$372.43RVU17C
2017-04-01$654.16$372.43RVU17B
2017-01-01$654.16$372.43RVU17A
2016-10-01$650.06$370.43RVU16D
2016-07-01$650.06$370.43RVU16C
2016-04-01$650.06$370.43RVU16B
2016-01-01$650.06$370.43RVU16A
2015-10-01$651.33$369.61RVU15D
2015-07-01$651.33$369.61RVU15C
2015-04-01$648.09$367.77RVU15B
2015-01-01$648.09$367.77RVU15A
2014-10-01$638.91$366.66RVU14D
2014-07-01$638.91$366.66RVU14C
2014-04-01$638.91$366.66RVU14B
2014-01-01$638.91$366.66RVU14A
2013-10-01$647.66$362.88RVU13D
2013-07-01$647.66$362.88RVU13C
2013-04-01$647.66$362.88RVU13B
2013-01-01$647.66$362.88RVU13AR

Price 17311 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Dakota rate applies

South Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in South Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Agar
  • Agency Village
  • Akaska
  • Albee
  • Alcester
  • Alexandria
  • Allen

Browse all communities in South Dakota

17311 billing questions

When should 17311 be chosen over 17313?

Use 17311 when the tumor is on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia, or when surgery at any site directly involves muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. Use 17313 for trunk, arm, or leg tumors without that deep-structure involvement.

How are two separate tumors treated by Mohs on the same day reported?

Report the appropriate first-stage code once for each distinct tumor. Use modifier 59 when needed to identify a separate lesion, or XS when the lesions are on separate anatomical structures; the lower-valued procedure is subject to CMS’s multiple-procedure reduction.

Can the Mohs surgeon bill 88305 or 88331 for the frozen sections?

No. The Mohs code includes the surgeon’s pathology work on the Mohs sections. Pathology may be separately reportable for a distinct diagnostic specimen, such as a same-day biopsy needed to establish the diagnosis before Mohs surgery.

Is repair of the Mohs defect included?

No. A qualifying layered or complex closure, adjacent tissue transfer, flap, or graft may be reported separately. A separately reported repair may be subject to CMS’s multiple-procedure reduction.

What if the first stage requires more than five tissue blocks?

Report add-on code 17315 for each block beyond five in the stage. The first five blocks are included in 17311.

Can an E/M be billed on the day of Mohs surgery?

Yes, when the E/M is significant and separately identifiable from the routine same-day preoperative and postoperative care included in 17311. Append modifier 25 to the E/M code.

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 17311PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,646 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South DakotaGPCI2026.csv, line 94 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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