Billing code 17273: Lesion destructionMedicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $204.08 for 17273 nationally in the office and $114.57 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $182.66–$265.50.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 17273 covers

This code covers destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 2.1 to 3.0 cm on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. A dermatologist or other qualified clinician may use a destructive method such as electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser treatment, or chemical treatment, commonly in an office setting. The code is selected by the lesion’s site and diameter, not by the treatment method. It is for destruction rather than excision of the lesion.

Document the malignant diagnosis, exact anatomic site, measured lesion diameter, and method used. Report the code for each qualifying lesion. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code’s descriptor and anatomy. Assistant-at-surgery services are not 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.

Where 17273 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

17273 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 17273 rate is calculated

Each of 17273’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 17273

17273 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

17273 compared with similar codes

How to choose

17272Lesion destruction

Both cover destruction at the same anatomic sites; choose 17272 when the lesion measures 1.1 to 2.0 cm rather than 2.1 to 3.0 cm.

17274Lesion destruction

Both cover destruction at the same anatomic sites; choose 17274 when the lesion measures 3.1 to 4.0 cm.

17263Malignant lesion destruction

This code covers a lesion of the same size range on the trunk, arms, or legs. Code 17273 is for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.

17283Lesion destruction

This code covers a lesion of the same size range on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes; 17273 covers a different site group.

Codes related to 17273

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates