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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

17271 in Merced

Office / nonfacility

$171.15

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$90.98

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Dermatology procedure

About 17271: Malignant Lesion Destruction, 0.6–1 cm

Reports destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 0.6–1 cm on the scalp, neck, hand, foot, or genitalia using a destructive method.

Code 17271 covers destructive treatment of a malignant cutaneous lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm at the scalp, neck, hand, foot, or genitalia. Dermatologists and other qualified physicians may use methods such as electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, laser, or chemical destruction in an office or facility setting. The service is destruction rather than surgical excision with specimen removal; basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are common examples when destructive treatment is clinically appropriate.

Choose the code by the documented lesion diameter and anatomic group, not by the treatment method. Record the lesion’s location, measurement, malignant diagnosis, and technique. For multiple procedures in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days. Modifier 50 is inappropriate because the service is defined by lesion site and size, rather than as bilateral treatment. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

CMS billing rules for 17271

Global period
Minor procedure with a 10-day global period: related postoperative visits for 10 days are included.
Multiple procedures
Standard multiple procedure reduction: the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50% when performed in the same session.
Bilateral procedures
Bilateral adjustment does not apply; the descriptor or anatomy makes modifier 50 inappropriate.
Assistant at surgery
Statutory restriction: assistant at surgery is not paid.
Co-surgeons
Co-surgeons not permitted.
Team surgery
Team surgery not permitted.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU1.50 · 31%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU3.21 · 66%
  • Malpractice RVU0.15 · 3%

42K

Medicare services in 2024 · #851 by national volume

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.

17271 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Merced, from the same CMS release.

17270

Lesion destruction

Scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia

$155.11

Both codes cover the same anatomic group, but 17270 is for lesions measuring 0.5 cm or less. Use 17271 when the lesion measures 0.6–1.0 cm.

17272

Lesion destruction

Scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; 1.1–2 cm

$192.94

Use 17272 for a lesion measuring 1.1–2.0 cm in this anatomic group; 17271 covers 0.6–1.0 cm.

17261

Malignant lesion destruction

Trunk, arms, or legs; 0.6–1.0 cm

$152.76

The size range is the same, but 17261 is for lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs. Use 17271 for the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.

17281

Lesion destruction

Face and related sites, 0.6–1.0 cm

$184.44

The size range is the same, but 17281 is for lesions on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips. Use 17271 for its specified anatomic group.

The same code, a different location

How does Merced compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 17271 is $171.61—$0.46 higher than the $171.15 rate in Merced. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

17271 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Merced · This locality

    $171.15

  2. Bakersfield

    $171.61

    $0.46 higher than Merced

  3. Chico

    $171.15

    The same base rate than Merced

  4. El Centro

    $171.17

    $0.02 higher than Merced

  5. Fresno

    $171.15

    The same base rate than Merced

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $171.15

    The same base rate than Merced

  7. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $182.32

    $11.17 higher than Merced

Other payment areas listed in California appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 17271 ranges from $144.78 in Arkansas to $212.90 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Madera

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 17271

    Office

    $197.11

    Facility

    $100.71

    $25.96 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 17271

    Office

    $181.36

    Facility

    $94.89

    $10.21 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 17271

    Office

    $172.79

    Facility

    $92.62

    $1.64 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 17271

    Office

    $179.28

    Facility

    $94.21

    $8.13 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 17271

    Office

    $178.60

    Facility

    $93.83

    $7.45 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 17271

    Office

    $182.55

    Facility

    $95.07

    $11.40 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 17271

    Office

    $208.34

    Facility

    $105.20

    $37.19 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 17271

    Office

    $208.17

    Facility

    $105.03

    $37.02 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 17271

    Office

    $212.90

    Facility

    $107.43

    $41.75 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 17271

    Office

    $212.21

    Facility

    $106.73

    $41.06 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 17271

    Office

    $175.76

    Facility

    $92.44

    $4.61 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 17271

    Office

    $184.11

    Facility

    $95.23

    $12.96 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 17271

    Office

    $179.20

    Facility

    $93.91

    $8.05 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 17271

    Office

    $185.95

    Facility

    $96.13

    $14.80 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 17271

    Office

    $196.87

    Facility

    $100.46

    $25.72 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 17271

    Office

    $171.15

    Facility

    $90.98

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 17271

    Office

    $184.68

    Facility

    $98.52

    $13.53 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 17271

    Office

    $174.38

    Facility

    $98.24

    $3.23 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 17271

    Office

    $169.70

    Facility

    $96.19

    $1.45 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 17271

    Office

    $185.84

    Facility

    $100.84

    $14.69 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 17271

    Office

    $192.10

    Facility

    $114.20

    $20.95 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 17271

    Office

    $146.75

    Facility

    $82.75

    $24.40 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 17271

    Office

    $144.78

    Facility

    $81.95

    $26.37 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 17271

    Office

    $158.28

    Facility

    $87.40

    $12.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 17271

    Office

    $168.69

    Facility

    $90.86

    $2.46 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 17271

    Office

    $172.64

    Facility

    $93.86

    $1.49 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 17271

    Office

    $160.79

    Facility

    $88.52

    $10.36 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 17271

    Office

    $167.77

    Facility

    $93.67

    $3.38 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 17271

    Office

    $160.13

    Facility

    $90.20

    $11.02 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 17271

    Office

    $165.20

    Facility

    $90.88

    $5.95 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 17271

    Office

    $151.71

    Facility

    $86.46

    $19.44 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 17271

    Office

    $174.91

    Facility

    $91.74

    $3.76 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 17271

    Office

    $150.19

    Facility

    $83.26

    $20.96 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 17271

    Office

    $151.11

    Facility

    $83.81

    $20.04 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 17271

    Office

    $158.83

    Facility

    $91.54

    $12.32 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 17271

    Office

    $155.82

    Facility

    $89.04

    $15.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 17271

    Office

    $169.44

    Facility

    $94.32

    $1.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 17271

    Office

    $151.93

    Facility

    $84.12

    $19.22 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 17271

    Office

    $149.55

    Facility

    $83.42

    $21.60 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 17271

    Office

    $150.00

    Facility

    $84.97

    $21.15 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 17271

    Office

    $156.68

    Facility

    $87.85

    $14.47 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 17271

    Office

    $149.79

    Facility

    $85.05

    $21.36 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 17271

    Office

    $184.63

    Facility

    $97.29

    $13.48 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 17271

    Office

    $167.80

    Facility

    $90.77

    $3.35 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 17271

    Office

    $172.14

    Facility

    $93.66

    $0.99 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 17271

    Office

    $163.71

    Facility

    $89.68

    $7.44 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 17271

    Office

    $151.86

    Facility

    $84.56

    $19.29 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 17271

    Office

    $159.51

    Facility

    $87.03

    $11.64 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 17271

    Office

    $162.01

    Facility

    $91.42

    $9.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 17271

    Office

    $153.65

    Facility

    $86.86

    $17.50 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 17271

    Office

    $161.91

    Facility

    $86.64

    $9.24 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 17271

    Office

    $155.67

    Facility

    $86.99

    $15.48 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 17271

    Office

    $157.19

    Facility

    $87.56

    $13.96 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 17271

    Office

    $147.40

    Facility

    $84.35

    $23.75 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 17271

    Office

    $146.12

    Facility

    $83.14

    $25.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 17271

    Office

    $162.32

    Facility

    $89.17

    $8.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 17271

    Office

    $153.34

    Facility

    $85.09

    $17.81 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 17271

    Office

    $159.35

    Facility

    $86.20

    $11.80 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 17271

    Office

    $150.96

    Facility

    $83.44

    $20.19 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 17271

    Office

    $166.10

    Facility

    $89.95

    $5.05 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 17271

    Office

    $182.98

    Facility

    $98.13

    $11.83 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 17271

    Office

    $174.68

    Facility

    $94.80

    $3.53 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 17271

    Office

    $154.44

    Facility

    $87.36

    $16.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 17271

    Office

    $161.60

    Facility

    $88.38

    $9.55 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 17271

    Office

    $190.09

    Facility

    $103.12

    $18.94 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 17271

    Office

    $175.82

    Facility

    $95.72

    $4.67 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 17271

    Office

    $187.26

    Facility

    $100.80

    $16.11 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 17271

    Office

    $155.48

    Facility

    $85.99

    $15.67 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 17271

    Office

    $153.04

    Facility

    $86.26

    $18.11 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 17271

    Office

    $149.74

    Facility

    $84.42

    $21.41 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 17271

    Office

    $173.75

    Facility

    $92.48

    $2.60 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 17271

    Office

    $160.41

    Facility

    $87.56

    $10.74 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 17271

    Office

    $168.59

    Facility

    $92.45

    $2.56 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 17271

    Office

    $153.26

    Facility

    $86.11

    $17.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 17271

    Office

    $163.43

    Facility

    $89.48

    $7.72 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 17271

    Office

    $166.28

    Facility

    $90.72

    $4.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 17271

    Office

    $153.43

    Facility

    $85.84

    $17.72 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 17271

    Office

    $159.00

    Facility

    $85.85

    $12.15 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 17271

    Office

    $150.25

    Facility

    $83.76

    $20.90 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $168.08

    Facility

    $90.69

    $3.07 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $152.32

    Facility

    $85.76

    $18.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $160.66

    Facility

    $88.17

    $10.49 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $161.64

    Facility

    $88.78

    $9.51 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $160.63

    Facility

    $88.51

    $10.52 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $161.12

    Facility

    $88.48

    $10.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $163.86

    Facility

    $91.23

    $7.29 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 17271

    Office

    $156.37

    Facility

    $86.96

    $14.78 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 17271

    Office

    $155.38

    Facility

    $86.63

    $15.77 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 17271

    Office

    $159.03

    Facility

    $87.13

    $12.12 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 17271

    Office

    $163.43

    Facility

    $89.48

    $7.72 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 17271

    Office

    $158.78

    Facility

    $86.36

    $12.37 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 17271

    Office

    $167.46

    Facility

    $90.44

    $3.69 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 17271

    Office

    $188.25

    Facility

    $98.50

    $17.10 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 17271

    Office

    $154.36

    Facility

    $84.28

    $16.79 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 17271

    Office

    $150.44

    Facility

    $86.88

    $20.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 17271

    Office

    $161.03

    Facility

    $87.88

    $10.12 lower than Merced for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

17271 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

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.

$144.78

$192.10

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$192.101
AL$146.751
AR$144.781
AZ$158.281
CA$171.15–$212.9029
CO$168.691
CT$172.641
DC$184.681
DE$160.791
FL$160.13–$174.383
GA$151.71–$165.202
GU$174.911
HI$174.911
IA$150.191
ID$151.111
IL$155.82–$169.704
IN$151.931
KS$149.551
KY$150.001
LA$149.79–$156.682
MA$167.80–$184.632
MD$163.71–$184.683
ME$151.86–$159.512
MI$153.65–$162.012
MN$161.911
MO$147.40–$157.193
MS$146.121
MT$162.321
NC$153.341
ND$159.351
NE$150.961
NH$166.101
NJ$174.68–$182.982
NM$154.441
NV$161.601
NY$155.48–$190.095
OH$153.041
OK$149.741
OR$160.41–$173.752
PA$153.26–$168.592
PR$163.431
RI$166.281
SC$153.431
SD$159.001
TN$150.251
TX$152.32–$168.088
UT$155.381
VA$159.03–$184.682
VI$163.431
VT$158.781
WA$167.46–$188.252
WI$154.361
WV$150.441
WY$161.031

Explore 17271 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Merced is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in California →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 17271 in Merced, the physician’s office rate is $171.15 and the facility-setting rate is $90.98: a difference of $80.17.

The calculation uses a different practice-expense RVU for each setting. Both amounts here are physician fee-schedule amounts. The facility figure does not include a hospital’s separate charges, so this comparison does not tell you the total cost of receiving care in each setting.

See the inputs behind this difference →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 17271 in Merced. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$188.27

$171.15 × 110% = $188.27

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

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How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 17271 in Merced.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,635

Code
17271
Physician work
1.50
Practice expense
3.21
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 17271 in Merced
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.50× 1.0171.5255
Practice expense3.21× 1.0963.5182
Malpractice0.15× 0.5360.0804
Total RVUs5.1241
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Merced$171.15

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 17271 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.51.017
Practice expense3.211.096
Malpractice0.150.536

(1.5 × 1.017 + 3.21 × 1.096 + 0.15 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $171.15

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.51.017
Practice expense1.021.096
Malpractice0.150.536

(1.5 × 1.017 + 1.02 × 1.096 + 0.15 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $90.98

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

17271 · Office / nonfacility

$171.15

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $170.43 to $171.15 (0.4%).

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

    $170.43changed to$171.15

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.54 changed to 1.50
    • Practice expense RVU 3.31 changed to 3.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $170.43

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$171.15$90.98RVU26D
2026-07-01$171.15$90.98RVU26C
2026-04-01$171.15$90.98RVU26B
2026-01-01$171.15$90.98RVU26A
2025-10-01$170.43$106.09RVU25D
2025-07-01$170.43$106.09RVU25C
2025-04-01$170.43$106.09RVU25B
2025-01-01$170.43$106.09RVU25A

17271 billing questions

When should I choose 17271 over 17270 or 17272?

Use 17271 for a lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm in its specified anatomic group. Code 17270 is for a smaller lesion, and 17272 is for a larger one.

How does the site affect code selection?

Code 17271 is for lesions on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. A lesion of the same diameter on the trunk, arms, or legs belongs to a different anatomic group.

How should multiple lesions treated in one session be reported?

Select a code for each treated lesion based on its site and diameter. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%.

Should I append modifier 50 for lesions on both sides?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service; code selection is based on each lesion’s site and diameter.

Are related postoperative visits included?

Yes. The code has a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.

Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.

RVUs for 17271PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,635 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MercedGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet