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CPT code 17315: Mohs block, beyond first five blocks2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Reports each Mohs tissue block beyond the first five in a stage when additional mapped specimens are needed for microscopic margin assessment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality18.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $88.40 for 17315 in the office and $42.17 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$88.40Office (non-facility)
$42.17Hospital or facility
+11.7%vs the national office rate ($79.16)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17315 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 17315 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 17315 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 17315 covers

During Mohs micrographic surgery, the operating physician removes and maps tumor-bearing skin, then examines prepared tissue microscopically to assess margins. Code 17315 captures tissue blocks beyond the five-block allowance for a stage. It is reported when a stage requires more than five mapped specimens for microscopic margin assessment, commonly during staged excision of a cutaneous cancer. Mohs surgeons most often perform this work in office-based dermatologic surgery.

Report 17315 for each excess block with the appropriate Mohs stage code: 17311 or 17312 for head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or specified complex sites; 17313 or 17314 for trunk, arms, or legs. The operative and pathology records should support the site, stages, mapping, and block count. An additional block is distinct from an additional stage, which is reported with the applicable stage code. CMS classifies 17315 as an add-on: bill it only with a primary procedure, and payment falls 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 Los Angeles, CA compares for 17315

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17315 runs from $71.20 in Arkansas to $102.60 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $88.40. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

17315 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$88.40
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$83.43−$4.97
  3. Chico, CA · California$83.21−$5.19
  4. El Centro, CA · California$83.22−$5.18
  5. Fresno, CA · California$83.21−$5.19
  6. Hanford, CA · California$83.21−$5.19
  7. Madera, CA · California$83.21−$5.19

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

Every other payment area

17315 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$83.21$40.38
Modesto, CACalifornia$83.21$40.38
Napa, CACalifornia$95.20$43.69
Oxnard, CACalifornia$87.89$41.70
Redding, CACalifornia$83.21$40.38
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$83.21$40.38
Riverside, CACalifornia$83.98$41.15
Sacramento, CACalifornia$86.99$41.54

17315 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.

$71.20

$95.45

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

View every state and territory as a table
17315 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$95.451
AL$72.091
AR$71.201
AZ$77.321
CA$83.21–$102.6029
CO$82.091
CT$83.951
DC$89.581
DE$78.481
FL$78.21–$84.723
GA$74.38–$80.492
GU$84.811
HI$84.811
IA$73.631
ID$74.051
IL$76.26–$82.634
IN$74.421
KS$73.351
KY$73.591
LA$73.49–$76.622
MA$81.71–$89.462
MD$79.83–$89.583
ME$74.40–$77.862
MI$75.25–$79.072
MN$78.921
MO$72.42–$76.843
MS$71.821
MT$79.161
NC$75.071
ND$77.771
NE$73.981
NH$80.851
NJ$84.98–$88.862
NM$75.611
NV$78.821
NY$76.04–$92.135
OH$74.971
OK$73.461
OR$78.27–$84.392
PA$75.06–$82.112
PR$79.661
RI$81.051
SC$75.131
SD$77.611
TN$73.671
TX$74.64–$81.768
UT$76.021
VA$77.65–$89.582
VI$79.661
VT$77.521
WA$81.54–$91.152
WI$75.511
WV$73.821
WY$78.551

See 17315 in every payment locality

How the 17315 rate is calculated

Each of 17315’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 · 17315

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.85

0.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.45

1.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.07

0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.3700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$79.16

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,650

Code
17315
Physician work
0.85
Practice expense
1.45
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 17315 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.85× 1.0410.8848
Practice expense1.45× 1.1831.7153
Malpractice0.07× 0.6640.0465
Total RVUs2.6467
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$88.40

Office: (0.85 × 1.041 + 1.45 × 1.183 + 0.07 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $88.40

Facility: (0.85 × 1.041 + 0.28 × 1.183 + 0.07 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $42.17

Open 17315 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 17315

The CMS indicators that decide how 17315 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 17315

Mohs block, beyond first five blocks

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 17315

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

Codes related to 17315
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Primary code
17311Mohs surgery, first stage, head/neck/hands/feet/genitaliaPrimary Mohs stage code for specified head, neck, hand, foot, genital, or complex sites.$750.16
17312Mohs surgery, additional stage, specified sitesAdditional-stage code for specified head, neck, hand, foot, genital, or complex sites.$455.54
17313Mohs surgery, first stage, trunk or extremityPrimary Mohs stage code for trunk, arms, or legs.$705.98
17314Mohs stage, additional stage, trunk or limbAdditional-stage code for trunk, arms, or legs.$436.82

How 17315 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

17315 · Office / nonfacility

$88.40

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.52 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $87.88 to $88.40 (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

    $87.88changed to$88.40

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.87 changed to 0.85
    • Practice expense RVU 1.47 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $89.48changed to$87.88

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.44 changed to 1.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $88.02changed to$89.48

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $89.08changed to$88.02

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.39 changed to 1.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $87.18changed to$89.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $87.49changed to$87.18

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $88.70changed to$87.49

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.30
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $89.49changed to$88.70

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $90.24changed to$89.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.28 changed to 1.26

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $90.13changed to$90.24

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $89.22changed to$90.13

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $89.30changed to$89.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.27 changed to 1.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $88.86changed to$89.30

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $86.55changed to$88.86

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.23 changed to 1.27
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $85.68changed to$86.55

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.23
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$85.68

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$88.40$42.17RVU26D
2026-07-01$88.40$42.17RVU26C
2026-04-01$88.40$42.17RVU26B
2026-01-01$88.40$42.17RVU26A
2025-10-01$87.88$51.58RVU25D
2025-07-01$87.88$51.58RVU25C
2025-04-01$87.88$51.58RVU25B
2025-01-01$87.88$51.58RVU25A
2024-10-01$89.48$52.91RVU24D
2024-07-01$89.48$52.91RVU24C
2024-04-01$89.48$52.91RVU24B
2024-03-09$89.48$52.91RVU24AR
2024-01-01$88.02$52.05RVU24A
2023-10-01$89.08$54.14RVU23D
2023-07-01$89.08$54.14RVU23C
2023-04-01$89.08$54.14RVU23B
2023-01-01$89.08$54.14RVU23A
2022-10-01$87.18$54.24RVU22D
2022-07-01$87.18$54.24RVU22C
2022-04-01$87.18$54.24RVU22B
2022-01-01$87.18$54.24RVU22A
2021-10-01$87.49$54.69RVU21D
2021-07-01$87.49$54.69RVU21C
2021-04-01$87.49$54.69RVU21B
2021-01-01$87.49$54.69RVU21A
2020-10-01$88.70$56.87RVU20D
2020-07-01$88.70$56.87RVU20C
2020-04-01$88.70$56.87RVU20B
2020-01-01$88.70$56.87RVU20A
2019-10-01$89.49$58.11RVU19D
2019-07-01$89.49$58.11RVU19C
2019-04-01$89.49$58.11RVU19B
2019-01-01$89.49$58.11RVU19A
2018-10-01$90.24$58.47RVU18D
2018-07-01$90.24$58.47RVU18C
2018-04-01$90.24$58.47RVU18B
2018-01-01$90.24$58.47RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$90.13$59.08RVU17D
2017-07-01$90.13$59.08RVU17C
2017-04-01$90.13$59.08RVU17B
2017-01-01$90.13$59.08RVU17A
2016-10-01$89.22$58.87RVU16D
2016-07-01$89.22$58.87RVU16C
2016-04-01$89.22$58.87RVU16B
2016-01-01$89.22$58.87RVU16A
2015-10-01$89.30$58.43RVU15D
2015-07-01$89.30$58.43RVU15C
2015-04-01$88.86$58.14RVU15B
2015-01-01$88.86$58.14RVU15A
2014-10-01$86.55$56.68RVU14D
2014-07-01$86.55$56.68RVU14C
2014-04-01$86.55$56.68RVU14B
2014-01-01$86.55$56.68RVU14A
2013-10-01$85.68$55.45RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 17315 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

17315 billing questions

Does 17315 represent another Mohs stage?

No. It reports each tissue block beyond the first five in a stage; an additional stage is reported with 17312 or 17314, as appropriate.

How many units should be reported?

Report one unit for each tissue block beyond five in a stage. Count the blocks for each stage separately.

Can 17315 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the applicable primary Mohs procedure.

Which Mohs stage code accompanies 17315?

Use 17311 or 17312 for the applicable head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or specified complex sites, and 17313 or 17314 for trunk, arms, or legs.

What documentation supports 17315?

The operative and pathology records should identify the Mohs site and stages, describe the tissue mapping, and support the number of blocks, including those beyond five in a stage.

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 17315PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,650 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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