CPT code 17315: Mohs block, beyond first five blocks2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports each Mohs tissue block beyond the first five in a stage when additional mapped specimens are needed for microscopic margin assessment.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $75.07 for 17315 in the office and $38.61 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $75.07. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$75.07
- Los Angeles, CA · California$88.40+$13.33
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$89.58+$14.51
- Miami, FL · Florida$84.72+$9.65
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$82.63+$7.56
- Manhattan, NY · New York$90.19+$15.12
- Alaska · Alaska$95.45+$20.38
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $72.09 | $37.90 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $71.20 | $37.63 |
| ArizonaArizona | $77.32 | $39.45 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $83.43 | $40.60 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $83.22 | $40.39 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| 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 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $86.66 | $41.36 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $88.43 | $41.70 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $100.45 | $45.35 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $100.37 | $45.27 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $102.60 | $46.25 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $102.28 | $45.93 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $85.29 | $40.78 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $89.08 | $41.60 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $86.91 | $41.34 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $89.97 | $41.98 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $95.09 | $43.58 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $83.21 | $40.38 |
| ColoradoColorado | $82.09 | $40.51 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $83.95 | $41.86 |
| DelawareDelaware | $78.48 | $39.87 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $81.68 | $42.09 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $78.21 | $40.85 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $80.49 | $40.79 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $74.38 | $39.52 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $84.81 | $40.38 |
| IowaIowa | $73.63 | $37.88 |
| IdahoIdaho | $74.05 | $38.10 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $77.66 | $41.70 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $76.26 | $40.58 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $82.47 | $42.34 |
| IndianaIndiana | $74.42 | $38.20 |
| KansasKansas | $73.35 | $38.02 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $73.59 | $38.84 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $76.62 | $39.85 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $73.49 | $38.91 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $89.46 | $42.80 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $81.71 | $40.56 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $83.70 | $41.77 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $79.83 | $40.29 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $74.40 | $38.45 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $77.86 | $39.13 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $79.07 | $41.36 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $75.25 | $39.57 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $78.92 | $38.71 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $76.15 | $39.46 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $76.84 | $39.64 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $72.42 | $38.73 |
| MississippiMississippi | $71.82 | $38.17 |
| MontanaMontana | $79.16 | $40.08 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $77.77 | $38.69 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $73.98 | $37.91 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $80.85 | $40.17 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $88.86 | $43.53 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $84.98 | $42.30 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $75.61 | $39.77 |
| NevadaNevada | $78.82 | $39.70 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $92.13 | $45.67 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $85.53 | $42.74 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $90.83 | $44.63 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $76.04 | $38.92 |
| OhioOhio | $74.97 | $39.29 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $73.46 | $38.56 |
| Portland, OROregon | $84.39 | $40.97 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $78.27 | $39.35 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $82.11 | $41.43 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $75.06 | $39.19 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $79.66 | $40.15 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $81.05 | $40.68 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $75.13 | $39.02 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $77.61 | $38.53 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $73.67 | $38.15 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $81.76 | $40.41 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $74.64 | $39.07 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $78.44 | $39.71 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $78.89 | $39.97 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $78.44 | $39.90 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $78.65 | $39.84 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $79.93 | $41.12 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $76.46 | $39.38 |
| UtahUtah | $76.02 | $39.28 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $77.65 | $39.23 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $79.66 | $40.15 |
| VermontVermont | $77.52 | $38.83 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $81.54 | $40.39 |
| King County, WAWashington | $91.15 | $43.20 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $75.51 | $38.07 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $73.82 | $39.86 |
| WyomingWyoming | $78.55 | $39.47 |
17315 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.
$71.20
$95.45
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 | $95.45 | 1 |
| AL | $72.09 | 1 |
| AR | $71.20 | 1 |
| AZ | $77.32 | 1 |
| CA | $83.21–$102.60 | 29 |
| CO | $82.09 | 1 |
| CT | $83.95 | 1 |
| DC | $89.58 | 1 |
| DE | $78.48 | 1 |
| FL | $78.21–$84.72 | 3 |
| GA | $74.38–$80.49 | 2 |
| GU | $84.81 | 1 |
| HI | $84.81 | 1 |
| IA | $73.63 | 1 |
| ID | $74.05 | 1 |
| IL | $76.26–$82.63 | 4 |
| IN | $74.42 | 1 |
| KS | $73.35 | 1 |
| KY | $73.59 | 1 |
| LA | $73.49–$76.62 | 2 |
| MA | $81.71–$89.46 | 2 |
| MD | $79.83–$89.58 | 3 |
| ME | $74.40–$77.86 | 2 |
| MI | $75.25–$79.07 | 2 |
| MN | $78.92 | 1 |
| MO | $72.42–$76.84 | 3 |
| MS | $71.82 | 1 |
| MT | $79.16 | 1 |
| NC | $75.07 | 1 |
| ND | $77.77 | 1 |
| NE | $73.98 | 1 |
| NH | $80.85 | 1 |
| NJ | $84.98–$88.86 | 2 |
| NM | $75.61 | 1 |
| NV | $78.82 | 1 |
| NY | $76.04–$92.13 | 5 |
| OH | $74.97 | 1 |
| OK | $73.46 | 1 |
| OR | $78.27–$84.39 | 2 |
| PA | $75.06–$82.11 | 2 |
| PR | $79.66 | 1 |
| RI | $81.05 | 1 |
| SC | $75.13 | 1 |
| SD | $77.61 | 1 |
| TN | $73.67 | 1 |
| TX | $74.64–$81.76 | 8 |
| UT | $76.02 | 1 |
| VA | $77.65–$89.58 | 2 |
| VI | $79.66 | 1 |
| VT | $77.52 | 1 |
| WA | $81.54–$91.15 | 2 |
| WI | $75.51 | 1 |
| WV | $73.82 | 1 |
| WY | $78.55 | 1 |
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
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 North Carolina 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
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.85 | × 1.000 | 0.8500 |
| Practice expense | 1.45 | × 0.933 | 1.3529 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 0.639 | 0.0447 |
| Total RVUs | 2.2476 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$75.07
Office: (0.85 × 1 + 1.45 × 0.933 + 0.07 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $75.07
Facility: (0.85 × 1 + 0.28 × 0.933 + 0.07 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $38.61
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| 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. |
How 17315 has changed in North Carolina
17315 · Office / nonfacility
$75.07
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.18 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $73.89 to $75.07 (1.6%).
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
$73.89changed to$75.07
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$75.34changed to$73.89
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$74.11changed to$75.34
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$75.66changed to$74.11
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$74.73changed to$75.66
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$75.02changed to$74.73
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.31
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$76.15changed to$75.02
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.30
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$76.89changed to$76.15
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.09
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$77.47changed to$76.89
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.28 changed to 1.26
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$77.41changed to$77.47
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$76.68changed to$77.41
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.28
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$76.74changed to$76.68
- 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.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$76.36changed to$76.74
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$74.98changed to$76.36
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 1.23 changed to 1.27
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$74.46changed to$74.98
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.23
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $74.46
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $75.07 | $38.61 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $75.07 | $38.61 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $75.07 | $38.61 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $75.07 | $38.61 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $73.89 | $45.74 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $73.89 | $45.74 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $73.89 | $45.74 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $73.89 | $45.74 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $75.34 | $46.98 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $75.34 | $46.98 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $75.34 | $46.98 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $75.34 | $46.98 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $74.11 | $46.21 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $75.66 | $48.33 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $75.66 | $48.33 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $75.66 | $48.33 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $75.66 | $48.33 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $74.73 | $48.72 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $74.73 | $48.72 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $74.73 | $48.72 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $74.73 | $48.72 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $75.02 | $49.12 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $75.02 | $49.12 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $75.02 | $49.12 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $75.02 | $49.12 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $76.15 | $50.97 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $76.15 | $50.97 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $76.15 | $50.97 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $76.15 | $50.97 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $76.89 | $52.06 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $76.89 | $52.06 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $76.89 | $52.06 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $76.89 | $52.06 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $77.47 | $52.34 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $77.47 | $52.34 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $77.47 | $52.34 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $77.47 | $52.34 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $77.41 | $52.68 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $77.41 | $52.68 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $77.41 | $52.68 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $77.41 | $52.68 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $76.68 | $52.37 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $76.68 | $52.37 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $76.68 | $52.37 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $76.68 | $52.37 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $76.74 | $52.01 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $76.74 | $52.01 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $76.36 | $51.75 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $76.36 | $51.75 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $74.98 | $51.02 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $74.98 | $51.02 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $74.98 | $51.02 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $74.98 | $51.02 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $74.46 | $50.18 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $74.46 | $50.18 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $74.46 | $50.18 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $74.46 | $50.18 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
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
Fee sheets · Coming soon
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