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CPT code 17312: Mohs surgery, additional stage, specified sites2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Reports an additional Mohs surgery stage for a lesion on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia when microscopic examination shows tumor remains.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality505.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $405.83 for 17312 in the office and $157.74 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$405.83Office (non-facility)
$157.74Hospital or facility
+0.7%vs the national office rate ($402.81)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17312 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 17312 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 17312 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 17312 covers

A Mohs surgeon, commonly a dermatologist, removes and maps another thin layer of tissue after the initial stage. The tissue is processed and examined microscopically so the surgeon can identify whether tumor remains at the margins and whether another stage is needed. Code 17312 is for an additional stage at the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia; the first stage is reported separately with the appropriate primary Mohs code. Mohs is commonly performed in an office surgical setting.

Report 17312 for each additional stage after the first, rather than for each tissue block within a stage. The operative record should identify the lesion and site, the stage sequence, tissue mapping and microscopic findings, and the reason another layer was taken. A stage may include up to five tissue blocks; additional blocks are addressed with 17315. As an add-on code, 17312 is billed only with a primary procedure and is paid within that procedure's global period.

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 Houston, TX compares for 17312

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17312 runs from $357.39 in Arkansas to $535.17 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $405.83. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17312 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$405.83
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$418.26+$12.43
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$376.45−$29.38
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$398.69−$7.14
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$401.08−$4.75
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$398.38−$7.45
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$399.79−$6.04

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

Every other payment area

17312 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$387.25$150.15
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$455.54$159.98
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$460.46$166.15
Miami, FLFlorida$431.32$171.24
Chicago, ILIllinois$419.26$168.17
Manhattan, NYNew York$462.20$171.89
AlaskaAlaska$470.12$204.04
AlabamaAlabama$362.50$143.89

17312 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.

$357.39

$481.00

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

View every state and territory as a table
17312 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$470.121
AL$362.501
AR$357.391
AZ$392.421
CA$426.82–$535.1729
CO$419.881
CT$429.171
DC$460.461
DE$398.831
FL$395.85–$431.323
GA$374.23–$409.902
GU$437.121
HI$437.121
IA$372.011
ID$374.271
IL$384.29–$419.754
IN$376.401
KS$370.061
KY$370.331
LA$369.66–$387.542
MA$417.36–$461.152
MD$406.40–$460.463
ME$375.91–$396.192
MI$379.51–$400.432
MN$403.301
MO$363.30–$389.193
MS$360.431
MT$402.791
NC$379.791
ND$396.271
NE$374.071
NH$413.091
NJ$434.34–$455.822
NM$381.441
NV$401.261
NY$385.33–$472.875
OH$378.171
OK$369.941
OR$398.40–$433.262
PA$378.90–$418.532
PR$405.781
RI$413.051
SC$379.561
SD$395.501
TN$371.851
TX$376.45–$418.268
UT$384.641
VA$394.74–$460.462
VI$405.781
VT$394.531
WA$416.64–$470.702
WI$383.251
WV$370.331
WY$399.951

See 17312 in every payment locality

How the 17312 rate is calculated

Each of 17312’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 · 17312

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.22

3.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.51

8.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.33

0.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

12.0600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$402.81

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

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,647

Code
17312
Physician work
3.22
Practice expense
8.51
Malpractice
0.33

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 17312 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.22× 1.0083.2458
Practice expense8.51× 0.9938.4504
Malpractice0.33× 1.3760.4541
Total RVUs12.1503
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$405.83

Office: (3.22 × 1.008 + 8.51 × 0.993 + 0.33 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $405.83

Facility: (3.22 × 1.008 + 1.03 × 0.993 + 0.33 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $157.74

Open 17312 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17312

The CMS indicators that decide how 17312 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 17312

Mohs surgery, additional stage, specified sites

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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.

Codes related to 17312

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

Codes related to 17312
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Add-on codes
17311Mohs surgery, first stage, head/neck/hands/feet/genitaliaThe first Mohs stage at the specified sites is paired with additional-stage code 17312 when needed.$672.93
17315Mohs block, beyond first five blocksAdditional tissue blocks beyond five in a stage may be reported with the applicable Mohs stage code.$79.93
Used instead
17314Mohs stage, additional stage, trunk or limbReports an additional Mohs stage on the trunk, arms, or legs instead of the sites covered by 17312.$387.95

How 17312 has changed in Houston, TX

17312 · Office / nonfacility

$405.83

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.62 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $406.45 to $405.83 (0.2%).

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

    $406.45changed to$405.83

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.30 changed to 3.22
    • Practice expense RVU 8.70 changed to 8.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $420.28changed to$406.45

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.76 changed to 8.70

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $413.42changed to$420.28

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $427.28changed to$413.42

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.69 changed to 8.76
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $430.15changed to$427.28

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.49 changed to 8.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $430.53changed to$430.15

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.41 changed to 8.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $415.54changed to$430.53

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.69 changed to 8.41
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $410.28changed to$415.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.47 changed to 7.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.31
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $402.88changed to$410.28

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.27 changed to 7.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.49

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $399.95changed to$402.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.24 changed to 7.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $396.83changed to$399.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.20 changed to 7.24
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $396.55changed to$396.83

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $394.58changed to$396.55

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $386.46changed to$394.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.01 changed to 7.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.45
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $398.10changed to$386.46

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.94 changed to 7.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $398.10

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$405.83$157.74RVU26D
2026-07-01$405.83$157.74RVU26C
2026-04-01$405.83$157.74RVU26B
2026-01-01$405.83$157.74RVU26A
2025-10-01$406.45$189.08RVU25D
2025-07-01$406.45$189.08RVU25C
2025-04-01$406.45$189.08RVU25B
2025-01-01$406.45$189.08RVU25A
2024-10-01$420.28$192.91RVU24D
2024-07-01$420.28$192.91RVU24C
2024-04-01$420.28$192.91RVU24B
2024-03-09$420.28$192.91RVU24AR
2024-01-01$413.42$189.76RVU24A
2023-10-01$427.28$195.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$427.28$195.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$427.28$195.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$427.28$195.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$430.15$194.77RVU22D
2022-07-01$430.15$194.77RVU22C
2022-04-01$430.15$194.77RVU22B
2022-01-01$430.15$194.77RVU22A
2021-10-01$430.53$196.43RVU21D
2021-07-01$430.53$196.43RVU21C
2021-04-01$430.53$196.43RVU21B
2021-01-01$430.53$196.43RVU21A
2020-10-01$415.54$203.88RVU20D
2020-07-01$415.54$203.88RVU20C
2020-04-01$415.54$203.88RVU20B
2020-01-01$415.54$203.88RVU20A
2019-10-01$410.28$209.69RVU19D
2019-07-01$410.28$209.69RVU19C
2019-04-01$410.28$209.69RVU19B
2019-01-01$410.28$209.69RVU19A
2018-10-01$402.88$211.25RVU18D
2018-07-01$402.88$211.25RVU18C
2018-04-01$402.88$211.25RVU18B
2018-01-01$402.88$211.25RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$399.95$210.92RVU17D
2017-07-01$399.95$210.92RVU17C
2017-04-01$399.95$210.92RVU17B
2017-01-01$399.95$210.92RVU17A
2016-10-01$396.83$209.53RVU16D
2016-07-01$396.83$209.53RVU16C
2016-04-01$396.83$209.53RVU16B
2016-01-01$396.83$209.53RVU16A
2015-10-01$396.55$208.94RVU15D
2015-07-01$396.55$208.94RVU15C
2015-04-01$394.58$207.90RVU15B
2015-01-01$394.58$207.90RVU15A
2014-10-01$386.46$204.83RVU14D
2014-07-01$386.46$204.83RVU14C
2014-04-01$386.46$204.83RVU14B
2014-01-01$386.46$204.83RVU14A
2013-10-01$398.10$201.40RVU13D
2013-07-01$398.10$201.40RVU13C
2013-04-01$398.10$201.40RVU13B
2013-01-01$398.10$201.40RVU13AR

Price 17312 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

17312 billing questions

When should 17312 be used instead of 17311?

Use 17311 for the first Mohs stage on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Report 17312 for each additional stage at one of those sites.

Is 17312 billed per tissue block?

No. It represents an additional stage, which can include up to five tissue blocks. Code 17315 addresses additional blocks beyond that amount.

Can 17312 be reported by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be billed with the primary Mohs procedure for the lesion.

Which additional-stage code applies to a lesion on the trunk or an extremity?

Use 17314 for an additional stage on the trunk, arms, or legs. Code 17312 is for additional stages on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.

What documentation supports an additional-stage unit?

The operative record should show the lesion site, the additional stage performed, the tissue map and microscopic findings, and the reason the surgeon continued.

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 17312PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,647 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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