CPT code 27618: Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, under 3 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA

Reports excision of a subcutaneous soft-tissue tumor under 3 cm in the leg or ankle, such as a small superficial lipoma.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality848 Medicare services in 2024

In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $543.50 for 27618 in the office and $302.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$543.50Office (non-facility)
$302.26Hospital or facility
+4.8%vs the national office rate ($518.38)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 27618 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 27618 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in El Centro, CA
  2. What 27618 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 27618 covers

This code describes excision of a soft-tissue tumor smaller than 3 cm that lies beneath the skin but remains subcutaneous in the leg or ankle area. An orthopedic surgeon or another surgeon may perform it in an operating room or an outpatient procedure setting. A small superficial lipoma is a typical example; the operative report should establish the mass’s location, size, and depth.

Choose this code when the surgeon removes the tumor, not when only a tissue sample is taken. Distinguish it from codes for larger subcutaneous tumors and for tumors beneath the fascia. 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 others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 El Centro, CA compares for 27618

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 27618 runs from $454.51 in Arkansas to $681.10 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $543.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

27618 in El Centro, CA vs other payment areas
  1. El Centro, CA · this page$543.50
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$545.53+$2.03
  3. Chico, CA · California$543.37−$0.13
  4. Fresno, CA · California$543.37−$0.13
  5. Hanford, CA · California$543.37−$0.13
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$581.42+$37.92
  7. Madera, CA · California$543.37−$0.13

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

Every other payment area

27618 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$543.37$302.13
Modesto, CACalifornia$543.37$302.13
Napa, CACalifornia$629.25$339.14
Oxnard, CACalifornia$578.31$318.14
Redding, CACalifornia$543.37$302.13
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$543.37$302.13
Riverside, CACalifornia$551.76$310.52
Sacramento, CACalifornia$570.17$314.18

27618 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.

$454.51

$612.24

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

View every state and territory as a table
27618 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$594.771
AL$461.651
AR$454.511
AZ$503.361
CA$543.37–$681.1029
CO$537.481
CT$554.411
DC$592.971
DE$512.031
FL$515.50–$573.123
GA$484.14–$529.822
GU$557.201
HI$557.201
IA$471.781
ID$475.581
IL$501.43–$554.844
IN$478.461
KS$470.571
KY$475.831
LA$475.50–$500.482
MA$534.42–$591.302
MD$521.90–$592.973
ME$479.46–$505.502
MI$490.13–$523.542
MN$510.581
MO$467.56–$500.993
MS$461.071
MT$518.331
NC$484.631
ND$502.911
NE$474.201
NH$530.021
NJ$559.50–$586.422
NM$493.461
NV$514.391
NY$492.47–$617.645
OH$486.971
OK$473.691
OR$509.19–$554.112
PA$487.15–$540.632
PR$521.991
RI$530.011
SC$486.861
SD$501.081
TN$473.251
TX$483.83–$536.758
UT$493.921
VA$504.54–$592.972
VI$521.991
VT$501.881
WA$533.09–$602.552
WI$485.091
WV$482.011
WY$511.611

See 27618 in every payment locality

How the 27618 rate is calculated

Each of 27618’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 · 27618

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.86

3.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.88

10.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.78

0.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

15.5200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$518.38

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

The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

2,976

Code
27618
Physician work
3.86
Practice expense
10.88
Malpractice
0.78

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office calculation for 27618 in El Centro, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.86× 1.0173.9256
Practice expense10.88× 1.09611.9245
Malpractice0.78× 0.5410.4220
Total RVUs16.2721
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, El Centro, CA$543.50

Office: (3.86 × 1.017 + 10.88 × 1.096 + 0.78 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $543.50

Facility: (3.86 × 1.017 + 4.29 × 1.096 + 0.78 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $302.26

Open 27618 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 27618

27618 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 27618

Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, under 3 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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
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.
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 · 27618

Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, under 3 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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

27618 without 50 · national office

$518.38

Soft-tissue excision, subcutaneous, under 3 cm

27618-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$777.57

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

How 27618 has changed in El Centro, CA

27618 · Office / nonfacility

$543.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $52.94 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $490.56 to $543.50 (10.8%).

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

    $490.56changed to$543.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.96 changed to 3.86
    • Practice expense RVU 9.80 changed to 10.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.78
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $510.82changed to$490.56

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.97 changed to 9.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.77

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $502.49changed to$510.82

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $517.57changed to$502.49

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 10.00 changed to 9.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.76
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $526.92changed to$517.57

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 10.03 changed to 10.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.74
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $521.25changed to$526.92

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.78 changed to 10.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.77
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $503.94changed to$521.25

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.83 changed to 9.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.74
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $490.96changed to$503.94

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.52 changed to 8.83
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $478.35changed to$490.96

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.21 changed to 8.52
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $477.99changed to$478.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.15 changed to 8.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.76
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$477.99

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$543.50$302.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$543.50$302.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$543.50$302.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$543.50$302.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$490.56$308.48RVU25D
2025-07-01$490.56$308.48RVU25C
2025-04-01$490.56$308.48RVU25B
2025-01-01$490.56$308.48RVU25A
2024-10-01$510.82$315.45RVU24D
2024-07-01$510.82$315.45RVU24C
2024-04-01$510.82$315.45RVU24B
2024-03-09$510.82$315.45RVU24AR
2024-01-01$502.49$310.30RVU24A
2023-10-01$517.57$316.84RVU23D
2023-07-01$517.57$316.84RVU23C
2023-04-01$517.57$316.84RVU23B
2023-01-01$517.57$316.84RVU23A
2022-10-01$526.92$318.32RVU22D
2022-07-01$526.92$318.32RVU22C
2022-04-01$526.92$318.32RVU22B
2022-01-01$526.92$318.32RVU22A
2021-10-01$521.25$316.49RVU21D
2021-07-01$521.25$316.49RVU21C
2021-04-01$521.25$316.49RVU21B
2021-01-01$521.25$316.49RVU21A
2020-10-01$503.94$319.75RVU20D
2020-07-01$503.94$319.75RVU20C
2020-04-01$503.94$319.75RVU20B
2020-01-01$503.94$319.75RVU20A
2019-10-01$490.96$320.26RVU19D
2019-07-01$490.96$320.26RVU19C
2019-04-01$490.96$320.26RVU19B
2019-01-01$490.96$320.26RVU19A
2018-10-01$478.35$322.15RVU18D
2018-07-01$478.35$322.15RVU18C
2018-04-01$478.35$322.15RVU18B
2018-01-01$478.35$322.15RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$477.99$322.70RVU17D
2017-07-01$477.99$322.70RVU17C
2017-04-01$477.99$322.70RVU17B
2017-01-01$477.99$322.70RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
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 27618 for an earlier date of service

Where the El Centro, CA rate applies

El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • El Centro
  • Bombay Beach
  • Brawley
  • Calexico
  • Calipatria
  • Desert Shores
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
  • Heber

Browse all communities in California

27618 billing questions

How does 27618 differ from 27619?

27618 is for a subcutaneous tumor under 3 cm. 27619 is for a deep soft-tissue tumor under 5 cm.

Is 27618 appropriate when the surgeon takes only a biopsy?

No. This code describes excision of the tumor, rather than sampling only part of it. Consider the applicable soft-tissue biopsy code when the surgeon obtains tissue for diagnosis without removing the entire mass.

What documentation supports 27618?

The operative report should identify the leg or ankle site, document that the tumor is subcutaneous, and record its size as under 3 cm. It should also describe removal of the tumor.

How is bilateral reporting handled?

CMS pays bilateral reporting with modifier 50 at 150%. The record should support a qualifying procedure on both sides.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

CMS restricts assistant-at-surgery payment for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 27618PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,976 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El Centro, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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