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CPT code 21011: Facial tumor excision, subcutaneous, under 2 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Removal of a subcutaneous soft-tissue tumor under 2 cm from the face or scalp, reported when the surgical work is limited to that tissue plane.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $452.22 for 21011 in the office and $281.46 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$452.22Office (non-facility)
$281.46Hospital or facility
+14.4%vs the national office rate ($395.13)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 21011 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 21011 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 21011 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 21011 covers

This service removes a small soft-tissue tumor located beneath the skin of the face or scalp, such as a subcutaneous lipoma. The surgeon works in the superficial tissue plane rather than beneath the deep fascia. Plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons may perform it in an office or outpatient surgical setting when the mass can be excised without a deeper or radical resection.

Select this code when the tumor is subcutaneous and measures less than 2 cm; use the documented site, tissue depth, and tumor size to distinguish it from larger or deeper masses. The operative report should identify the face or scalp location, depth, size, and extent of removal. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are reduced to 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons and team surgery 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 Washington, DC area compares for 21011

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 21011 runs from $347.08 in Arkansas to $521.36 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $452.22. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

21011 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$452.22
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$444.40−$7.82
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$433.68−$18.54
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$420.14−$32.08
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$457.09+$4.87
  6. Alaska · Alaska$454.14+$1.92
  7. Alabama · Alabama$352.46−$99.76

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

21011 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$347.08$222.56
ArizonaArizona$383.91$243.44
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$416.93$258.06
Chico, CACalifornia$415.45$256.57
El Centro, CACalifornia$415.54$256.66
Fresno, CACalifornia$415.45$256.57
Hanford, CACalifornia$415.45$256.57
Madera, CACalifornia$415.45$256.57

21011 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.

$347.08

$468.41

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

View every state and territory as a table
21011 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$454.141
AL$352.461
AR$347.081
AZ$383.911
CA$415.45–$521.3629
CO$410.341
CT$422.351
DC$452.221
DE$390.471
FL$391.72–$433.683
GA$368.30–$403.462
GU$426.031
HI$426.031
IA$360.671
ID$363.411
IL$380.75–$420.144
IN$365.601
KS$359.481
KY$362.561
LA$362.20–$381.032
MA$407.93–$451.482
MD$398.02–$452.223
ME$366.05–$386.082
MI$373.07–$397.482
MN$390.791
MO$356.05–$381.733
MS$351.611
MT$395.101
NC$369.991
ND$384.621
NE$362.571
NH$404.401
NJ$426.50–$447.262
NM$375.461
NV$392.461
NY$375.88–$469.455
OH$370.921
OK$361.241
OR$388.76–$423.232
PA$371.21–$411.782
PR$397.951
RI$404.311
SC$371.201
SD$383.381
TN$361.471
TX$368.68–$409.548
UT$376.531
VA$385.17–$452.222
VI$397.951
VT$383.591
WA$407.00–$460.312
WI$371.131
WV$366.101
WY$390.531

See 21011 in every payment locality

How the 21011 rate is calculated

Each of 21011’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 · 21011

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.92

2.92 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.38

8.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.53

0.53 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.8300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$395.13

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,837

Code
21011
Physician work
2.92
Practice expense
8.38
Malpractice
0.53

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 21011 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.92× 1.0543.0777
Practice expense8.38× 1.1789.8716
Malpractice0.53× 1.1130.5899
Total RVUs13.5392
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$452.22

Office: (2.92 × 1.054 + 8.38 × 1.178 + 0.53 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $452.22

Facility: (2.92 × 1.054 + 4.04 × 1.178 + 0.53 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $281.46

Open 21011 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 21011

21011 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 21011

Facial tumor excision, subcutaneous, under 2 cm

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)2Paid.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.69/0.21Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 21011

Facial tumor excision, subcutaneous, under 2 cm

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

21011 without 51 · national office

$395.13

Facial tumor excision, subcutaneous, under 2 cm

21011-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$197.57

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 21011

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

Codes related to 21011
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
21012Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, 2 cm or largerSubcutaneous face or scalp tumor excision for a tumor measuring 2 cm or larger.No office rate
21013Tumor excision, deep, under 2 cmFace or scalp soft-tissue tumor excision beneath the deep fascia, under 2 cm.$642.14
21014Tumor excision, deep, 2 cm or largerFace or scalp soft-tissue tumor excision beneath the deep fascia, 2 cm or larger.No office rate
Used instead
21015Tumor resection, subfascial, under 2 cmRadical resection of a face or scalp soft-tissue tumor under 2 cm.No office rate
11440Lesion excision, face, 0.5 cm or lessExcision of a small benign skin lesion on the face when the work is limited to skin.$162.76

How 21011 has changed in Washington, DC area

21011 · Office / nonfacility

$452.22

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $29.99 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $422.23 to $452.22 (7.1%).

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

    $422.23changed to$452.22

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.99 changed to 2.92
    • Practice expense RVU 7.78 changed to 8.38
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $434.53changed to$422.23

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.80 changed to 7.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.53

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $427.43changed to$434.53

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $447.10changed to$427.43

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.75 changed to 7.80
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $460.46changed to$447.10

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.65 changed to 7.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.51
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $455.59changed to$460.46

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.48 changed to 7.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.54

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $438.55changed to$455.59

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.85 changed to 7.48
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $423.31changed to$438.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 6.60 changed to 6.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.53 changed to 0.51
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $413.76changed to$423.31

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 6.38 changed to 6.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.53

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $413.89changed to$413.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.39 changed to 6.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.55 changed to 0.54
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $413.84changed to$413.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.40 changed to 6.39
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $414.85changed to$413.84

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.41 changed to 6.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.53 changed to 0.55

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $412.79changed to$414.85

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $403.16changed to$412.79

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.32 changed to 6.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.53
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $412.59changed to$403.16

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.08 changed to 6.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $412.59

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$452.22$281.46RVU26D
2026-07-01$452.22$281.46RVU26C
2026-04-01$452.22$281.46RVU26B
2026-01-01$452.22$281.46RVU26A
2025-10-01$422.23$295.76RVU25D
2025-07-01$422.23$295.76RVU25C
2025-04-01$422.23$295.76RVU25B
2025-01-01$422.23$295.76RVU25A
2024-10-01$434.53$300.01RVU24D
2024-07-01$434.53$300.01RVU24C
2024-04-01$434.53$300.01RVU24B
2024-03-09$434.53$300.01RVU24AR
2024-01-01$427.43$295.12RVU24A
2023-10-01$447.10$305.58RVU23D
2023-07-01$447.10$305.58RVU23C
2023-04-01$447.10$305.58RVU23B
2023-01-01$447.10$305.58RVU23A
2022-10-01$460.46$309.90RVU22D
2022-07-01$460.46$309.90RVU22C
2022-04-01$460.46$309.90RVU22B
2022-01-01$460.46$309.90RVU22A
2021-10-01$455.59$307.66RVU21D
2021-07-01$455.59$307.66RVU21C
2021-04-01$455.59$307.66RVU21B
2021-01-01$455.59$307.66RVU21A
2020-10-01$438.55$307.67RVU20D
2020-07-01$438.55$307.67RVU20C
2020-04-01$438.55$307.67RVU20B
2020-01-01$438.55$307.67RVU20A
2019-10-01$423.31$304.75RVU19D
2019-07-01$423.31$304.75RVU19C
2019-04-01$423.31$304.75RVU19B
2019-01-01$423.31$304.75RVU19A
2018-10-01$413.76$306.18RVU18D
2018-07-01$413.76$306.18RVU18C
2018-04-01$413.76$306.18RVU18B
2018-01-01$413.76$306.18RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$413.89$306.64RVU17D
2017-07-01$413.89$306.64RVU17C
2017-04-01$413.89$306.64RVU17B
2017-01-01$413.89$306.64RVU17A
2016-10-01$413.84$306.41RVU16D
2016-07-01$413.84$306.41RVU16C
2016-04-01$413.84$306.41RVU16B
2016-01-01$413.84$306.41RVU16A
2015-10-01$414.85$306.17RVU15D
2015-07-01$414.85$306.17RVU15C
2015-04-01$412.79$304.64RVU15B
2015-01-01$412.79$304.64RVU15A
2014-10-01$403.16$297.67RVU14D
2014-07-01$403.16$297.67RVU14C
2014-04-01$403.16$297.67RVU14B
2014-01-01$403.16$297.67RVU14A
2013-10-01$412.59$299.69RVU13D
2013-07-01$412.59$299.69RVU13C
2013-04-01$412.59$299.69RVU13B
2013-01-01$412.59$299.69RVU13AR

Price 21011 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

21011 billing questions

When is 21012 used instead?

Use 21012 for a subcutaneous soft-tissue tumor of the face or scalp measuring 2 cm or larger. Code 21011 is for tumors under 2 cm.

How does 21011 differ from 21013?

21011 describes a tumor in the subcutaneous tissue. 21013 is for a tumor beneath the deep fascia that measures under 2 cm.

What should the operative note document?

Document the face or scalp site, the subcutaneous depth, tumor size, and the extent of excision. These details support selection over a larger-size, deeper, or more extensive resection code.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for bilateral excisions?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 should not be used.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. CMS applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction when other procedures are performed in the same session.

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 21011PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,837 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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