CPT code 17311: Mohs surgery, first stage, head/neck/hands/feet/genitalia2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
Report the first Mohs stage, including up to five tissue blocks, for tumors at specified sites or surgery directly involving specified deep structures.
In Virginia, Medicare pays $653.65 for 17311 in the office and $280.01 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $653.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Virginia · this page$653.65
- Los Angeles, CA · California$750.16+$96.51
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$759.41+$105.76
- Miami, FL · Florida$715.40+$61.75
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$696.18+$42.53
- Manhattan, NY · New York$763.62+$109.97
- Alaska · Alaska$788.15+$134.50
Other areas in Virginia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $811.64 | $310.66 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $746.28 | $297.00 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $710.50 | $293.91 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $737.72 | $295.66 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $734.93 | $294.39 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $751.32 | $296.72 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $858.10 | $322.15 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $857.43 | $321.48 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $876.89 | $328.79 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $874.15 | $326.05 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $723.19 | $290.26 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $757.84 | $296.02 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $737.44 | $294.24 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $765.45 | $298.68 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $810.67 | $309.70 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $704.05 | $287.46 |
| ColoradoColorado | $693.62 | $289.19 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $709.48 | $300.11 |
| DelawareDelaware | $660.69 | $285.15 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $688.73 | $303.68 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $657.34 | $293.96 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $678.71 | $292.52 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $622.71 | $283.66 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $719.72 | $287.54 |
| IowaIowa | $617.29 | $269.49 |
| IdahoIdaho | $621.01 | $271.32 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $651.38 | $301.69 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $639.38 | $292.34 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $695.67 | $305.30 |
| IndianaIndiana | $624.38 | $272.03 |
| KansasKansas | $614.50 | $270.89 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $615.92 | $278.01 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $643.43 | $285.75 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $614.99 | $278.60 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $759.51 | $305.67 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $689.85 | $289.60 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $707.42 | $299.57 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $672.76 | $288.10 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $623.95 | $274.25 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $655.74 | $279.06 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $664.95 | $298.15 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $630.82 | $283.79 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $666.05 | $274.93 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $639.40 | $282.49 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $645.68 | $283.83 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $605.06 | $277.41 |
| MississippiMississippi | $599.99 | $272.72 |
| MontanaMontana | $666.98 | $286.87 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $630.07 | $275.44 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $655.31 | $275.21 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $620.48 | $269.64 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $682.81 | $287.12 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $752.32 | $311.41 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $717.97 | $302.90 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $634.02 | $285.47 |
| NevadaNevada | $664.17 | $283.69 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $780.99 | $329.04 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $722.54 | $306.33 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $769.69 | $320.41 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $638.90 | $277.80 |
| OhioOhio | $628.44 | $281.40 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $614.98 | $275.55 |
| Portland, OROregon | $714.63 | $292.33 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $659.38 | $280.80 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $692.71 | $297.02 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $629.42 | $280.49 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $671.62 | $287.33 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $683.42 | $290.77 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $630.22 | $279.01 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $653.93 | $273.83 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $617.38 | $271.86 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $691.00 | $288.85 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $625.55 | $279.65 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $660.29 | $283.61 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $664.26 | $285.67 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $660.06 | $285.28 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $662.13 | $284.68 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $672.93 | $295.48 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $642.40 | $281.68 |
| UtahUtah | $638.29 | $281.00 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $671.62 | $287.33 |
| VermontVermont | $652.83 | $276.53 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $688.53 | $288.28 |
| King County, WAWashington | $774.58 | $308.20 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $634.68 | $270.54 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $617.18 | $286.87 |
| WyomingWyoming | $661.89 | $281.79 |
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $788.15 | 1 |
| AL | $602.81 | 1 |
| AR | $594.68 | 1 |
| AZ | $650.38 | 1 |
| CA | $704.05–$876.89 | 29 |
| CO | $693.62 | 1 |
| CT | $709.48 | 1 |
| DC | $759.41 | 1 |
| DE | $660.69 | 1 |
| FL | $657.34–$715.40 | 3 |
| GA | $622.71–$678.71 | 2 |
| GU | $719.72 | 1 |
| HI | $719.72 | 1 |
| IA | $617.29 | 1 |
| ID | $621.01 | 1 |
| IL | $639.38–$696.18 | 4 |
| IN | $624.38 | 1 |
| KS | $614.50 | 1 |
| KY | $615.92 | 1 |
| LA | $614.99–$643.43 | 2 |
| MA | $689.85–$759.51 | 2 |
| MD | $672.76–$759.41 | 3 |
| ME | $623.95–$655.74 | 2 |
| MI | $630.82–$664.95 | 2 |
| MN | $666.05 | 1 |
| MO | $605.06–$645.68 | 3 |
| MS | $599.99 | 1 |
| MT | $666.98 | 1 |
| NC | $630.07 | 1 |
| ND | $655.31 | 1 |
| NE | $620.48 | 1 |
| NH | $682.81 | 1 |
| NJ | $717.97–$752.32 | 2 |
| NM | $634.02 | 1 |
| NV | $664.17 | 1 |
| NY | $638.90–$780.99 | 5 |
| OH | $628.44 | 1 |
| OK | $614.98 | 1 |
| OR | $659.38–$714.63 | 2 |
| PA | $629.42–$692.71 | 2 |
| PR | $671.62 | 1 |
| RI | $683.42 | 1 |
| SC | $630.22 | 1 |
| SD | $653.93 | 1 |
| TN | $617.38 | 1 |
| TX | $625.55–$691.00 | 8 |
| UT | $638.29 | 1 |
| VA | $653.65–$759.41 | 2 |
| VI | $671.62 | 1 |
| VT | $652.83 | 1 |
| WA | $688.53–$774.58 | 2 |
| WI | $634.68 | 1 |
| WV | $617.18 | 1 |
| WY | $661.89 | 1 |
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
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 Virginia 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
106
- Locality
- Virginia
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.983
- Malpractice
- 0.706
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 6.05 | × 1.000 | 6.0500 |
| Practice expense | 13.33 | × 0.983 | 13.1034 |
| Malpractice | 0.59 | × 0.706 | 0.4165 |
| Total RVUs | 19.5699 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Virginia$653.65
Office: (6.05 × 1 + 13.33 × 0.983 + 0.59 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $653.65
Facility: (6.05 × 1 + 1.95 × 0.983 + 0.59 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $280.01
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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. |
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%).
How 17311 has changed in Virginia
17311 · Office / nonfacility
$653.65
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $4.20 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $649.45 to $653.65 (0.6%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$649.45changed to$653.65
- 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
- Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
- Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$668.67changed to$649.45
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 13.61 changed to 13.60
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$657.76changed to$668.67
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$680.19changed to$657.76
- 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
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
- Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
- Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$683.23changed to$680.19
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$685.80changed to$683.23
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$674.01changed to$685.80
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
- Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$674.96changed to$674.01
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
- Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$668.57changed to$674.96
- 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.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$663.60changed to$668.57
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
- Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$657.28changed to$663.60
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
- Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$657.05changed to$657.28
- 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.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$653.78changed to$657.05
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$641.58changed to$653.78
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$646.76changed to$641.58
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
- Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $646.76
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $653.65 | $280.01 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $653.65 | $280.01 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $653.65 | $280.01 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $653.65 | $280.01 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $649.45 | $336.26 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $649.45 | $336.26 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $649.45 | $336.26 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $649.45 | $336.26 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $668.67 | $343.42 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $668.67 | $343.42 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $668.67 | $343.42 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $668.67 | $343.42 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $657.76 | $337.81 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $680.19 | $351.08 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $680.19 | $351.08 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $680.19 | $351.08 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $680.19 | $351.08 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $683.23 | $355.08 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $683.23 | $355.08 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $683.23 | $355.08 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $683.23 | $355.08 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $685.80 | $358.75 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $685.80 | $358.75 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $685.80 | $358.75 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $685.80 | $358.75 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $674.01 | $372.52 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $674.01 | $372.52 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $674.01 | $372.52 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $674.01 | $372.52 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $674.96 | $385.00 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $674.96 | $385.00 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $674.96 | $385.00 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $674.96 | $385.00 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $668.57 | $387.09 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $668.57 | $387.09 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $668.57 | $387.09 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $668.57 | $387.09 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $663.60 | $386.10 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $663.60 | $386.10 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $663.60 | $386.10 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $663.60 | $386.10 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $657.28 | $382.41 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $657.28 | $382.41 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $657.28 | $382.41 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $657.28 | $382.41 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $657.05 | $380.12 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $657.05 | $380.12 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $653.78 | $378.23 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $653.78 | $378.23 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $641.58 | $374.78 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $641.58 | $374.78 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $641.58 | $374.78 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $641.58 | $374.78 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $646.76 | $368.53 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $646.76 | $368.53 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $646.76 | $368.53 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $646.76 | $368.53 | RVU13AR |
Where the Virginia rate applies
Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbs Valley
- Abingdon
- Accomac
- Adwolf
- Afton
- Alberta
- Aldie
- Allison Gap
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
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