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

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 Vermont, Medicare pays $394.53 for 17312 in the office and $147.19 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$394.53Office (non-facility)
$147.19Hospital or facility
−2.1%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 Vermont
  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 Vermont 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. Vermont pays $394.53. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17312 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$394.53
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$455.54+$61.01
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$460.46+$65.93
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$431.32+$36.79
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$419.26+$24.73
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$462.20+$67.67
  7. Alaska · Alaska$470.12+$75.59

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

Every other payment area

17312 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$362.50$143.89
ArkansasArkansas$357.39$142.78
ArizonaArizona$392.42$150.32
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$427.84$154.01
Chico, CACalifornia$426.82$152.99
El Centro, CACalifornia$426.87$153.05
Fresno, CACalifornia$426.82$152.99
Hanford, CACalifornia$426.82$152.99

17312 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.

$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 Vermont 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

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 17312 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.22× 1.0003.2200
Practice expense8.51× 0.9908.4249
Malpractice0.33× 0.5060.1670
Total RVUs11.8119
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$394.53

Office: (3.22 × 1 + 8.51 × 0.99 + 0.33 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $394.53

Facility: (3.22 × 1 + 1.03 × 0.99 + 0.33 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $147.19

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.

How 17312 has changed in Vermont

17312 · Office / nonfacility

$394.53

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.48 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $392.05 to $394.53 (0.6%).

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

    $392.05changed to$394.53

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $405.44changed to$392.05

    • 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

    $398.82changed to$405.44

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $411.86changed to$398.82

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.69 changed to 8.76
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $414.60changed to$411.86

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $415.05changed to$414.60

    • 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

    $405.36changed to$415.05

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.69 changed to 8.41
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $402.69changed to$405.36

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $395.15changed to$402.69

    • 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

    $392.33changed to$395.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.24 changed to 7.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $389.19changed to$392.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.20 changed to 7.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $389.36changed to$389.19

    • 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

    $387.43changed to$389.36

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $380.36changed to$387.43

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$380.36

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$394.53$147.19RVU26D
2026-07-01$394.53$147.19RVU26C
2026-04-01$394.53$147.19RVU26B
2026-01-01$394.53$147.19RVU26A
2025-10-01$392.05$176.85RVU25D
2025-07-01$392.05$176.85RVU25C
2025-04-01$392.05$176.85RVU25B
2025-01-01$392.05$176.85RVU25A
2024-10-01$405.44$180.34RVU24D
2024-07-01$405.44$180.34RVU24C
2024-04-01$405.44$180.34RVU24B
2024-03-09$405.44$180.34RVU24AR
2024-01-01$398.82$177.40RVU24A
2023-10-01$411.86$184.15RVU23D
2023-07-01$411.86$184.15RVU23C
2023-04-01$411.86$184.15RVU23B
2023-01-01$411.86$184.15RVU23A
2022-10-01$414.60$185.63RVU22D
2022-07-01$414.60$185.63RVU22C
2022-04-01$414.60$185.63RVU22B
2022-01-01$414.60$185.63RVU22A
2021-10-01$415.05$187.32RVU21D
2021-07-01$415.05$187.32RVU21C
2021-04-01$415.05$187.32RVU21B
2021-01-01$415.05$187.32RVU21A
2020-10-01$405.36$196.18RVU20D
2020-07-01$405.36$196.18RVU20C
2020-04-01$405.36$196.18RVU20B
2020-01-01$405.36$196.18RVU20A
2019-10-01$402.69$201.50RVU19D
2019-07-01$402.69$201.50RVU19C
2019-04-01$402.69$201.50RVU19B
2019-01-01$402.69$201.50RVU19A
2018-10-01$395.15$202.95RVU18D
2018-07-01$395.15$202.95RVU18C
2018-04-01$395.15$202.95RVU18B
2018-01-01$395.15$202.95RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$392.33$203.12RVU17D
2017-07-01$392.33$203.12RVU17C
2017-04-01$392.33$203.12RVU17B
2017-01-01$392.33$203.12RVU17A
2016-10-01$389.19$202.26RVU16D
2016-07-01$389.19$202.26RVU16C
2016-04-01$389.19$202.26RVU16B
2016-01-01$389.19$202.26RVU16A
2015-10-01$389.36$202.12RVU15D
2015-07-01$389.36$202.12RVU15C
2015-04-01$387.43$201.12RVU15B
2015-01-01$387.43$201.12RVU15A
2014-10-01$380.36$198.37RVU14D
2014-07-01$380.36$198.37RVU14C
2014-04-01$380.36$198.37RVU14B
2014-01-01$380.36$198.37RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 17312 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

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 VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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