CPT code 43217: Esophageal lesion removal, snare technique2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia

Flexible transoral esophagoscopy with snare excision is reported when a gastroenterologist removes an esophageal polyp, tumor, or other lesion using a snare.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality32 Medicare services in 2024

In Virginia, Medicare pays $458.77 for 43217 in the office and $138.64 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$458.77Office (non-facility)
$138.64Hospital or facility
−2.0%vs the national office rate ($467.95)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 43217 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 43217 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Virginia
  2. What 43217 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 43217 covers

A gastroenterologist advances a flexible endoscope through the mouth to examine the esophagus, then uses a snare loop to capture and remove a polyp, tumor, or other lesion. The service is performed in an endoscopy suite, hospital outpatient department, or ambulatory surgery center. The defining feature is snare removal of an esophageal lesion, rather than sampling it with biopsy forceps or treating it with another technique.

Report the code when the procedure record identifies the esophageal lesion and documents removal with a snare. The minor-procedure global period is 0 days, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for it, and 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 Virginia compares for 43217

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 43217 runs from $411.38 in Arkansas to $635.43 in San Benito County, CA. Virginia pays $458.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

43217 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$458.77
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$535.43+$76.66
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$539.28+$80.51
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$498.30+$39.53
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$483.39+$24.62
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$539.07+$80.30
  7. Alaska · Alaska$532.88+$74.11

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

Every other payment area

43217 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$417.76$132.80
ArkansasArkansas$411.38$131.64
ArizonaArizona$455.13$139.57
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$500.97$144.05
Chico, CACalifornia$500.05$143.13
El Centro, CACalifornia$500.10$143.18
Fresno, CACalifornia$500.05$143.13
Hanford, CACalifornia$500.05$143.13

43217 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.

$411.38

$567.74

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

View every state and territory as a table
43217 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$532.881
AL$417.761
AR$411.381
AZ$455.131
CA$500.05–$635.4329
CO$490.321
CT$500.111
DC$539.281
DE$462.991
FL$456.85–$498.303
GA$430.26–$476.102
GU$513.971
HI$513.971
IA$430.731
ID$433.331
IL$441.68–$486.224
IN$436.021
KS$427.771
KY$426.391
LA$425.35–$447.672
MA$486.81–$541.732
MD$472.44–$539.283
ME$434.82–$460.952
MI$437.33–$461.982
MN$471.531
MO$417.08–$450.363
MS$414.351
MT$467.931
NC$439.761
ND$461.991
NE$433.471
NH$481.731
NJ$506.31–$533.052
NM$439.521
NV$466.641
NY$446.63–$551.685
OH$436.121
OK$426.471
OR$463.50–$507.552
PA$437.32–$486.562
PR$471.831
RI$480.701
SC$438.571
SD$461.291
TN$429.931
TX$434.23–$488.268
UT$444.921
VA$458.77–$539.282
VI$471.831
VT$459.331
WA$486.17–$553.922
WI$445.611
WV$424.221
WY$465.341

See 43217 in every payment locality

How the 43217 rate is calculated

Each of 43217’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 · 43217

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.73

2.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.98

10.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.30

0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

14.0100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$467.95

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

The exact Virginia inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

5,154

Code
43217
Physician work
2.73
Practice expense
10.98
Malpractice
0.30

GPCI2026.csv

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 43217 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.73× 1.0002.7300
Practice expense10.98× 0.98310.7933
Malpractice0.30× 0.7060.2118
Total RVUs13.7351
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$458.77

Office: (2.73 × 1 + 10.98 × 0.983 + 0.3 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $458.77

Facility: (2.73 × 1 + 1.23 × 0.983 + 0.3 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $138.64

Open 43217 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 43217

The CMS indicators that decide how 43217 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 43217

Esophageal lesion removal, snare technique

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures3Endoscopy family rules apply.
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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

43217 without 51 · national office

$467.95

Esophageal lesion removal, snare technique

43217-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$233.98

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

How 43217 has changed in Virginia

43217 · Office / nonfacility

$458.77

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $66.89 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $391.88 to $458.77 (17.1%).

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

    $391.88changed to$458.77

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.80 changed to 2.73
    • Practice expense RVU 9.20 changed to 10.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $411.55changed to$391.88

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.46 changed to 9.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $404.83changed to$411.55

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $423.61changed to$404.83

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.54 changed to 9.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $445.69changed to$423.61

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.85 changed to 9.54
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $444.56changed to$445.69

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.72 changed to 9.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $408.75changed to$444.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.33 changed to 9.72
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $396.47changed to$408.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.94 changed to 8.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $384.27changed to$396.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.59 changed to 7.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.41

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $381.14changed to$384.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.57 changed to 7.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $446.24changed to$381.14

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.90 changed to 2.80
    • Practice expense RVU 9.36 changed to 7.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $452.22changed to$446.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 9.45 changed to 9.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.44

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $449.97changed to$452.22

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $445.58changed to$449.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.36 changed to 9.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $390.74changed to$445.58

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.42 changed to 9.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $390.74

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$458.77$138.64RVU26D
2026-07-01$458.77$138.64RVU26C
2026-04-01$458.77$138.64RVU26B
2026-01-01$458.77$138.64RVU26A
2025-10-01$391.88$150.30RVU25D
2025-07-01$391.88$150.30RVU25C
2025-04-01$391.88$150.30RVU25B
2025-01-01$391.88$150.30RVU25A
2024-10-01$411.55$154.09RVU24D
2024-07-01$411.55$154.09RVU24C
2024-04-01$411.55$154.09RVU24B
2024-03-09$411.55$154.09RVU24AR
2024-01-01$404.83$151.58RVU24A
2023-10-01$423.61$156.23RVU23D
2023-07-01$423.61$156.23RVU23C
2023-04-01$423.61$156.23RVU23B
2023-01-01$423.61$156.23RVU23A
2022-10-01$445.69$160.58RVU22D
2022-07-01$445.69$160.58RVU22C
2022-04-01$445.69$160.58RVU22B
2022-01-01$445.69$160.58RVU22A
2021-10-01$444.56$161.25RVU21D
2021-07-01$444.56$161.25RVU21C
2021-04-01$444.56$161.25RVU21B
2021-01-01$444.56$161.25RVU21A
2020-10-01$408.75$165.19RVU20D
2020-07-01$408.75$165.19RVU20C
2020-04-01$408.75$165.19RVU20B
2020-01-01$408.75$165.19RVU20A
2019-10-01$396.47$166.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$396.47$166.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$396.47$166.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$396.47$166.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$384.27$167.74RVU18D
2018-07-01$384.27$167.74RVU18C
2018-04-01$384.27$167.74RVU18B
2018-01-01$384.27$167.74RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$381.14$166.57RVU17D
2017-07-01$381.14$166.57RVU17C
2017-04-01$381.14$166.57RVU17B
2017-01-01$381.14$166.57RVU17A
2016-10-01$446.24$170.66RVU16D
2016-07-01$446.24$170.66RVU16C
2016-04-01$446.24$170.66RVU16B
2016-01-01$446.24$170.66RVU16A
2015-10-01$452.22$173.52RVU15D
2015-07-01$452.22$173.52RVU15C
2015-04-01$449.97$172.66RVU15B
2015-01-01$449.97$172.66RVU15A
2014-10-01$445.58$173.16RVU14D
2014-07-01$445.58$173.16RVU14C
2014-04-01$445.58$173.16RVU14B
2014-01-01$445.58$173.16RVU14A
2013-10-01$390.74$169.69RVU13D
2013-07-01$390.74$169.69RVU13C
2013-04-01$390.74$169.69RVU13B
2013-01-01$390.74$169.69RVU13AR

Price 43217 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

43217 billing questions

How is this different from 43216?

This code is for snare removal. Code 43216 describes lesion removal using hot biopsy forceps or bipolar cautery.

When should 43211 be considered instead?

Use 43211 when the esophageal lesion is removed by endoscopic mucosal resection. The documented removal technique distinguishes it from snare excision under this code.

Can modifier 50 be reported?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this service.

What happens if related endoscopies are performed in the same session?

CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. The procedure record should support each service reported.

Does this code include same-day postoperative care?

Yes. It has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

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 43217PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 5,154 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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