CPT code 96921: Excimer laser, 250–500 square centimeters2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vallejo, CA
Targeted excimer laser treatment for psoriasis is reported when the total skin area treated in a session measures 250–500 square centimeters.
In Vallejo, CA, Medicare pays $186.38 for 96921 in the office and $52.99 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 96921 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 96921 covers
This service uses an excimer laser to deliver targeted ultraviolet light to psoriasis plaques, limiting exposure of surrounding uninvolved skin. Dermatologists and other qualified practitioners typically perform the treatment in an office setting. The treated area may include plaques on one or more body sites; the code level is based on the total area treated, not the number of plaques or body regions.
Select 96921 when the session’s total treated area is 250–500 square centimeters. Document the psoriasis diagnosis, sites treated, area measurement, and treatment performed. This code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this area-based service. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 Vallejo, CA compares for 96921
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 96921 runs from $130.79 in Arkansas to $202.40 in San Benito County, CA. Vallejo, CA pays $186.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Vallejo, CA · this page$186.38
- Bakersfield, CA · California$159.26−$27.12
- Chico, CA · California$159.10−$27.28
- El Centro, CA · California$159.11−$27.27
- Fresno, CA · California$159.10−$27.28
- Hanford, CA · California$159.10−$27.28
- Los Angeles, CA · California$170.18−$16.20
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $186.44 | $53.05 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $169.62 | $50.00 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $159.55 | $48.63 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $167.51 | $49.81 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $166.90 | $49.60 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $171.21 | $50.17 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $198.10 | $55.40 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $198.06 | $55.36 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $202.40 | $56.46 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $202.21 | $56.28 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $164.14 | $48.87 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $173.17 | $50.21 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $167.63 | $49.63 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $174.96 | $50.68 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $159.10 | $48.18 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $170.57 | $51.35 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $154.82 | $49.46 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $150.49 | $48.78 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $169.62 | $52.02 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $169.68 | $61.90 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $132.73 | $44.18 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $130.79 | $43.85 |
| ArizonaArizona | $144.14 | $46.07 |
| ColoradoColorado | $155.53 | $47.85 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $157.86 | $48.86 |
| DelawareDelaware | $146.57 | $46.58 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $150.57 | $48.05 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $143.48 | $46.73 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $150.20 | $47.37 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $135.56 | $45.29 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $163.47 | $48.40 |
| IowaIowa | $137.20 | $44.59 |
| IdahoIdaho | $137.88 | $44.77 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $139.94 | $46.83 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $138.52 | $46.12 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $152.37 | $48.43 |
| IndianaIndiana | $138.72 | $44.90 |
| KansasKansas | $136.05 | $44.56 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $134.84 | $44.87 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $141.23 | $46.00 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $134.43 | $44.86 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $171.77 | $50.93 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $154.38 | $47.81 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $157.31 | $48.72 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $149.56 | $47.14 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $138.08 | $44.97 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $146.42 | $46.12 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $144.78 | $47.12 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $137.94 | $45.54 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $150.43 | $46.29 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $140.78 | $45.75 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $142.34 | $45.99 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $131.75 | $44.51 |
| MississippiMississippi | $131.32 | $44.18 |
| MontanaMontana | $147.96 | $46.76 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $139.63 | $45.20 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $147.17 | $45.97 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $138.11 | $44.70 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $152.61 | $47.25 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $168.67 | $51.27 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $160.06 | $49.54 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $138.50 | $45.70 |
| NevadaNevada | $147.86 | $46.55 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $173.15 | $52.82 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $160.71 | $49.89 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $171.77 | $52.15 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $141.71 | $45.56 |
| OhioOhio | $137.78 | $45.38 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $135.12 | $44.75 |
| Portland, OROregon | $161.11 | $48.67 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $147.10 | $46.30 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $153.56 | $48.21 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $138.28 | $45.37 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $149.24 | $46.92 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $152.25 | $47.70 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $138.86 | $45.34 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $147.08 | $45.87 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $136.68 | $44.68 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $154.67 | $47.60 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $137.32 | $45.22 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $146.85 | $46.56 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $147.57 | $46.77 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $146.42 | $46.63 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $147.15 | $46.65 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $147.88 | $47.39 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $141.86 | $45.81 |
| UtahUtah | $140.80 | $45.66 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $145.58 | $46.10 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $149.24 | $46.92 |
| VermontVermont | $146.13 | $45.94 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $154.24 | $47.67 |
| King County, WAWashington | $175.80 | $51.63 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $142.12 | $45.16 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $133.18 | $45.24 |
| WyomingWyoming | $147.62 | $46.41 |
96921 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.
$130.79
$180.75
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 | $169.68 | 1 |
| AL | $132.73 | 1 |
| AR | $130.79 | 1 |
| AZ | $144.14 | 1 |
| CA | $159.10–$202.40 | 29 |
| CO | $155.53 | 1 |
| CT | $157.86 | 1 |
| DC | $170.57 | 1 |
| DE | $146.57 | 1 |
| FL | $143.48–$154.82 | 3 |
| GA | $135.56–$150.20 | 2 |
| GU | $163.47 | 1 |
| HI | $163.47 | 1 |
| IA | $137.20 | 1 |
| ID | $137.88 | 1 |
| IL | $138.52–$152.37 | 4 |
| IN | $138.72 | 1 |
| KS | $136.05 | 1 |
| KY | $134.84 | 1 |
| LA | $134.43–$141.23 | 2 |
| MA | $154.38–$171.77 | 2 |
| MD | $149.56–$170.57 | 3 |
| ME | $138.08–$146.42 | 2 |
| MI | $137.94–$144.78 | 2 |
| MN | $150.43 | 1 |
| MO | $131.75–$142.34 | 3 |
| MS | $131.32 | 1 |
| MT | $147.96 | 1 |
| NC | $139.63 | 1 |
| ND | $147.17 | 1 |
| NE | $138.11 | 1 |
| NH | $152.61 | 1 |
| NJ | $160.06–$168.67 | 2 |
| NM | $138.50 | 1 |
| NV | $147.86 | 1 |
| NY | $141.71–$173.15 | 5 |
| OH | $137.78 | 1 |
| OK | $135.12 | 1 |
| OR | $147.10–$161.11 | 2 |
| PA | $138.28–$153.56 | 2 |
| PR | $149.24 | 1 |
| RI | $152.25 | 1 |
| SC | $138.86 | 1 |
| SD | $147.08 | 1 |
| TN | $136.68 | 1 |
| TX | $137.32–$154.67 | 8 |
| UT | $140.80 | 1 |
| VA | $145.58–$170.57 | 2 |
| VI | $149.24 | 1 |
| VT | $146.13 | 1 |
| WA | $154.24–$175.80 | 2 |
| WI | $142.12 | 1 |
| WV | $133.18 | 1 |
| WY | $147.62 | 1 |
How the 96921 rate is calculated
Each of 96921’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 · 96921
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.88
0.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.51
3.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.4300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$147.97
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Vallejo, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,831
- Code
- 96921
- Physician work
- 0.88
- Practice expense
- 3.51
- Malpractice
- 0.04
GPCI2026.csv
33
- Locality
- Vallejo, CA
- Physician work
- 1.063
- Practice expense
- 1.318
- Malpractice
- 0.459
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.88 | × 1.063 | 0.9354 |
| Practice expense | 3.51 | × 1.318 | 4.6262 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | × 0.459 | 0.0184 |
| Total RVUs | 5.5800 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Vallejo, CA$186.38
Office: (0.88 × 1.063 + 3.51 × 1.318 + 0.04 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $186.38
Facility: (0.88 × 1.063 + 0.48 × 1.318 + 0.04 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $52.99
Payment rules and modifiers for 96921
The CMS indicators that decide how 96921 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 96921
Excimer laser, 250–500 square centimeters
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| 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. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
96921 without 51 · national office
$147.97
Excimer laser, 250–500 square centimeters
96921-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$73.99
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%).
How 96921 has changed in Vallejo, CA
96921 · Office / nonfacility
$186.38
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.27 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $183.11 to $186.38 (1.8%).
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
$183.11changed to$186.38
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.90 changed to 0.88
- Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.51
- Work GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.063
- Practice expense GPCI 1.310 changed to 1.318
- Malpractice GPCI 0.470 changed to 0.459
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$210.68changed to$183.11
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Work RVU 1.30 changed to 0.90
- Practice expense RVU 3.76 changed to 3.58
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.04
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$207.24changed to$210.68
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$208.90changed to$207.24
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.77 changed to 3.76
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.058
- Practice expense GPCI 1.265 changed to 1.310
- Malpractice GPCI 0.487 changed to 0.470
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$206.16changed to$208.90
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.75 changed to 3.77
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Work GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.051
- Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.265
- Malpractice GPCI 0.504 changed to 0.487
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$212.13changed to$206.16
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.75
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$215.42changed to$212.13
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 3.70 changed to 3.85
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.044
- Practice expense GPCI 1.238 changed to 1.220
- Malpractice GPCI 0.496 changed to 0.504
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$218.97changed to$215.42
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 3.72 changed to 3.70
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.05
- Work GPCI 1.055 changed to 1.049
- Practice expense GPCI 1.256 changed to 1.238
- Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.496
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$220.09changed to$218.97
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 3.75 changed to 3.72
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$209.71changed to$220.09
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 3.49 changed to 3.75
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.055
- Practice expense GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.256
- Malpractice GPCI 0.477 changed to 0.458
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$209.71
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
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.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $186.38 | $52.99 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $186.38 | $52.99 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $186.38 | $52.99 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $186.38 | $52.99 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $183.11 | $64.88 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $183.11 | $64.88 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $183.11 | $64.88 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $183.11 | $64.88 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $210.68 | $80.30 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $210.68 | $80.30 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $210.68 | $80.30 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $210.68 | $80.30 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $207.24 | $78.99 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $208.90 | $79.87 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $208.90 | $79.87 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $208.90 | $79.87 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $208.90 | $79.87 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $206.16 | $79.08 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $206.16 | $79.08 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $206.16 | $79.08 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $206.16 | $79.08 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $212.13 | $79.74 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $212.13 | $79.74 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $212.13 | $79.74 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $212.13 | $79.74 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $215.42 | $84.07 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $215.42 | $84.07 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $215.42 | $84.07 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $215.42 | $84.07 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $218.97 | $85.44 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $218.97 | $85.44 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $218.97 | $85.44 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $218.97 | $85.44 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $220.09 | $85.80 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $220.09 | $85.80 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $220.09 | $85.80 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $220.09 | $85.80 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $209.71 | $87.00 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $209.71 | $87.00 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $209.71 | $87.00 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $209.71 | $87.00 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Vallejo, CA rate applies
Vallejo, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 11 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Vallejo
- Allendale
- Benicia
- Dixon
- Elmira
- Fairfield
- Green Valley
- Hartley
96921 billing questions
How is 96921 distinguished from 96920 and 96922?
Choose the level by the total skin area treated during the session: 96921 covers 250–500 square centimeters. The neighboring codes cover smaller and larger treatment areas.
Should separate plaques be reported as separate units?
Select the code using the total treated area across the session, rather than counting plaques or body sites as units. Document how the treated area was determined.
Can modifier 50 be used when plaques are treated on both sides of the body?
No. The code is selected by total treated area, and CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this service.
What same-day care is included in the global period?
The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. CMS applies the multiple procedure reduction when other procedures are performed in the same session.
What documentation supports reporting 96921?
Record the psoriasis diagnosis, body sites treated, total area treated in square centimeters, and the excimer laser treatment performed.
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
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