Use 17273 for a malignant lesion in the same anatomic group measuring 2.1-3.0 cm; 17274 is for 3.1-4.0 cm.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
17274 in Merced
Office / nonfacility
$250.65
Base rate per service
Facility setting
$140.83
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 17274: Malignant skin lesion destruction, 3.1-4 cm
Destruction of a 3.1-4.0 cm malignant skin lesion on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia, selected by site and diameter.
Code 17274 represents destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 3.1 through 4.0 cm at a site in the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia group. Dermatologists and other clinicians who treat skin cancers may perform the service in an office procedure room using a destructive technique such as curettage with electrosurgery, cryotherapy, laser, or chemical destruction. This code is used when the treatment plan is destruction rather than removal by excision.
Select the code by the documented lesion diameter and anatomic group, not by the method used. Documentation should identify the malignant diagnosis, treated site, lesion size, and technique; report separate lesions individually when appropriate. 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 paid at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this site-based descriptor. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.
CMS billing rules for 17274
- 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 RVU2.57 · 36%
- Practice expense (office) RVU4.34 · 61%
- Malpractice RVU0.25 · 3%
2.4K
Medicare services in 2024 · #2338 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.
17274 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Merced, from the same CMS release.
Use 17276 for a lesion in the same anatomic group measuring more than 4.0 cm.
This code covers a 3.1-4.0 cm malignant lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs, rather than the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.
Use 11624 when a 3.1-4.0 cm malignant lesion in the same anatomic group is excised; 17274 describes destruction.
The same code, a different location
How does Merced compare?
In Bakersfield, the office rate for 17274 is $251.43—$0.78 higher than the $250.65 rate in Merced. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.
17274 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
Merced · This locality
$250.65
$251.43
$0.78 higher than Merced
$250.65
The same base rate than Merced
$250.69
$0.04 higher than Merced
$250.65
The same base rate than Merced
$250.65
The same base rate than Merced
$15.74 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, 17274 ranges from $214.66 in Arkansas to $308.79 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 · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Modesto
California · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Napa
California · 17274
Office
$286.55
Facility
$154.48
$35.90 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 17274
Office
$264.79
Facility
$146.35
$14.14 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Redding
California · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of California
California · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 17274
Office
$253.38
Facility
$143.56
$2.73 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 17274
Office
$261.99
Facility
$145.46
$11.34 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Salinas
California · 17274
Office
$260.99
Facility
$144.85
$10.34 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 17274
Office
$266.31
Facility
$146.47
$15.66 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 17274
Office
$302.22
Facility
$160.94
$51.57 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 17274
Office
$301.94
Facility
$160.65
$51.29 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 17274
Office
$308.79
Facility
$164.30
$58.14 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 17274
Office
$307.63
Facility
$163.14
$56.98 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 17274
Office
$256.88
Facility
$142.75
$6.23 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 17274
Office
$268.24
Facility
$146.50
$17.59 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 17274
Office
$261.74
Facility
$144.91
$11.09 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 17274
Office
$270.90
Facility
$147.85
$20.25 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Stockton
California · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Vallejo
California · 17274
Office
$286.14
Facility
$154.07
$35.49 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Visalia
California · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Yuba City
California · 17274
Office
$250.65
Facility
$140.83
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Dc + Md/Va Suburbs
District of Columbia · 17274
Office
$270.53
Facility
$152.49
$19.88 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Miami
Florida · 17274
Office
$257.86
Facility
$153.55
$7.21 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Chicago
Illinois · 17274
Office
$251.29
Facility
$150.59
$0.64 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Manhattan
New York · 17274
Office
$273.02
Facility
$156.59
$22.37 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Alaska*
Alaska · 17274
Office
$287.74
Facility
$181.03
$37.09 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Alabama
Alabama · 17274
Office
$217.41
Facility
$129.73
$33.24 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 17274
Office
$214.66
Facility
$128.59
$35.99 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Arizona
Arizona · 17274
Office
$233.45
Facility
$136.36
$17.20 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Colorado
Colorado · 17274
Office
$247.63
Facility
$141.01
$3.02 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 17274
Office
$253.78
Facility
$145.86
$3.13 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Delaware
Delaware · 17274
Office
$237.00
Facility
$138.00
$13.65 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 17274
Office
$247.78
Facility
$146.28
$2.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 17274
Office
$236.97
Facility
$141.18
$13.68 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Atlanta
Georgia · 17274
Office
$243.41
Facility
$141.60
$7.24 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 17274
Office
$225.10
Facility
$135.72
$25.55 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 17274
Office
$255.49
Facility
$141.56
$4.84 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Iowa
Iowa · 17274
Office
$221.79
Facility
$130.11
$28.86 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Idaho
Idaho · 17274
Office
$223.15
Facility
$130.97
$27.50 lower than Merced for the office setting.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 17274
Office
$236.02
Facility
$143.83
$14.63 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 17274
Office
$231.24
Facility
$139.76
$19.41 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 17274
Office
$250.11
Facility
$147.20
$0.54 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Indiana
Indiana · 17274
Office
$224.28
Facility
$131.39
$26.37 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Kansas
Kansas · 17274
Office
$221.09
Facility
$130.51
$29.56 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 17274
Office
$222.35
Facility
$133.27
$28.30 lower than Merced for the office setting.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 17274
Office
$231.73
Facility
$137.44
$18.92 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 17274
Office
$222.13
Facility
$133.45
$28.52 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 17274
Office
$269.87
Facility
$150.23
$19.22 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 17274
Office
$246.51
Facility
$141.00
$4.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 17274
Office
$253.08
Facility
$145.57
$2.43 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 17274
Office
$241.06
Facility
$139.66
$9.59 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 17274
Office
$224.40
Facility
$132.21
$26.25 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Southern Maine
Maine · 17274
Office
$234.76
Facility
$135.46
$15.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Detroit
Michigan · 17274
Office
$239.81
Facility
$143.11
$10.84 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 17274
Office
$227.62
Facility
$136.13
$23.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 17274
Office
$237.48
Facility
$134.37
$13.17 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 17274
Office
$230.12
Facility
$136.03
$20.53 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 17274
Office
$232.21
Facility
$136.82
$18.44 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 17274
Office
$218.93
Facility
$132.55
$31.72 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 17274
Office
$216.82
Facility
$130.55
$33.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Montana**
Montana · 17274
Office
$239.13
Facility
$138.93
$11.52 lower than Merced for the office setting.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 17274
Office
$226.42
Facility
$132.93
$24.23 lower than Merced for the office setting.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 17274
Office
$234.19
Facility
$133.99
$16.46 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 17274
Office
$222.79
Facility
$130.31
$27.86 lower than Merced for the office setting.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 17274
Office
$244.05
Facility
$139.74
$6.60 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 17274
Office
$268.32
Facility
$152.08
$17.67 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 17274
Office
$256.73
Facility
$147.31
$6.08 higher than Merced for the office setting.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 17274
Office
$228.80
Facility
$136.91
$21.85 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nevada**
Nevada · 17274
Office
$237.90
Facility
$137.60
$12.75 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 17274
Office
$279.20
Facility
$160.06
$28.55 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 17274
Office
$258.54
Facility
$148.82
$7.89 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Queens
New York · 17274
Office
$274.72
Facility
$156.28
$24.07 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of New York
New York · 17274
Office
$229.42
Facility
$134.23
$21.23 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Ohio
Ohio · 17274
Office
$226.61
Facility
$135.12
$24.04 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 17274
Office
$221.78
Facility
$132.30
$28.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Portland
Oregon · 17274
Office
$254.48
Facility
$143.15
$3.83 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 17274
Office
$236.09
Facility
$136.29
$14.56 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 17274
Office
$248.25
Facility
$143.94
$2.40 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 17274
Office
$226.80
Facility
$134.82
$23.85 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 17274
Office
$240.62
Facility
$139.31
$10.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 17274
Office
$244.66
Facility
$141.15
$5.99 lower than Merced for the office setting.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 17274
Office
$226.88
Facility
$134.29
$23.77 lower than Merced for the office setting.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 17274
Office
$233.61
Facility
$133.40
$17.04 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 17274
Office
$222.09
Facility
$131.01
$28.56 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Austin
Texas · 17274
Office
$246.78
Facility
$140.76
$3.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Beaumont
Texas · 17274
Office
$225.51
Facility
$134.33
$25.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Brazoria
Texas · 17274
Office
$236.70
Facility
$137.39
$13.95 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Dallas
Texas · 17274
Office
$238.16
Facility
$138.36
$12.49 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Fort Worth
Texas · 17274
Office
$236.82
Facility
$138.02
$13.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Galveston
Texas · 17274
Office
$237.39
Facility
$137.88
$13.26 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Houston
Texas · 17274
Office
$241.96
Facility
$142.46
$8.69 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 17274
Office
$230.95
Facility
$135.86
$19.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Utah
Utah · 17274
Office
$229.60
Facility
$135.41
$21.05 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Virginia
Virginia · 17274
Office
$234.23
Facility
$135.73
$16.42 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 17274
Office
$240.62
Facility
$139.31
$10.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Vermont
Vermont · 17274
Office
$233.58
Facility
$134.38
$17.07 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 17274
Office
$245.95
Facility
$140.44
$4.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 17274
Office
$274.82
Facility
$151.87
$24.17 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 17274
Office
$227.28
Facility
$131.29
$23.37 lower than Merced for the office setting.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 17274
Office
$223.76
Facility
$136.68
$26.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Wyoming**
Wyoming · 17274
Office
$236.98
Facility
$136.78
$13.67 lower than Merced for the office setting.
See how rates vary across the country
17274 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.
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.
$214.66
$287.74
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $287.74 | 1 |
| AL | $217.41 | 1 |
| AR | $214.66 | 1 |
| AZ | $233.45 | 1 |
| CA | $250.65–$308.79 | 29 |
| CO | $247.63 | 1 |
| CT | $253.78 | 1 |
| DC | $270.53 | 1 |
| DE | $237.00 | 1 |
| FL | $236.97–$257.86 | 3 |
| GA | $225.10–$243.41 | 2 |
| GU | $255.49 | 1 |
| HI | $255.49 | 1 |
| IA | $221.79 | 1 |
| ID | $223.15 | 1 |
| IL | $231.24–$251.29 | 4 |
| IN | $224.28 | 1 |
| KS | $221.09 | 1 |
| KY | $222.35 | 1 |
| LA | $222.13–$231.73 | 2 |
| MA | $246.51–$269.87 | 2 |
| MD | $241.06–$270.53 | 3 |
| ME | $224.40–$234.76 | 2 |
| MI | $227.62–$239.81 | 2 |
| MN | $237.48 | 1 |
| MO | $218.93–$232.21 | 3 |
| MS | $216.82 | 1 |
| MT | $239.13 | 1 |
| NC | $226.42 | 1 |
| ND | $234.19 | 1 |
| NE | $222.79 | 1 |
| NH | $244.05 | 1 |
| NJ | $256.73–$268.32 | 2 |
| NM | $228.80 | 1 |
| NV | $237.90 | 1 |
| NY | $229.42–$279.20 | 5 |
| OH | $226.61 | 1 |
| OK | $221.78 | 1 |
| OR | $236.09–$254.48 | 2 |
| PA | $226.80–$248.25 | 2 |
| PR | $240.62 | 1 |
| RI | $244.66 | 1 |
| SC | $226.88 | 1 |
| SD | $233.61 | 1 |
| TN | $222.09 | 1 |
| TX | $225.51–$246.78 | 8 |
| UT | $229.60 | 1 |
| VA | $234.23–$270.53 | 2 |
| VI | $240.62 | 1 |
| VT | $233.58 | 1 |
| WA | $245.95–$274.82 | 2 |
| WI | $227.28 | 1 |
| WV | $223.76 | 1 |
| WY | $236.98 | 1 |
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.
Why are the office and facility amounts different?
For 17274 in Merced, the physician’s office rate is $250.65 and the facility-setting rate is $140.83: a difference of $109.82.
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.
Use this rate
What is a percentage of Medicare worth?
Turn a percentage into dollars for 17274 in Merced. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$275.72
$250.65 × 110% = $275.72
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.
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 17274 in Merced.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,638
- Code
- 17274
- Physician work
- 2.57
- Practice expense
- 4.34
- Malpractice
- 0.25
GPCI2026.csv
15
- Locality
- Merced
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.57 | × 1.017 | 2.6137 |
| Practice expense | 4.34 | × 1.096 | 4.7566 |
| Malpractice | 0.25 | × 0.536 | 0.1340 |
| Total RVUs | 7.5043 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office / nonfacility rate, Merced$250.65
Open 17274 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Office / nonfacility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 2.57 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 4.34 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.25 | 0.536 |
(2.57 × 1.017 + 4.34 × 1.096 + 0.25 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $250.65
Facility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 2.57 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 1.34 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.25 | 0.536 |
(2.57 × 1.017 + 1.34 × 1.096 + 0.25 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $140.83
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
17274 · Office / nonfacility
$250.65
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $248.99 to $250.65 (0.7%).
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
$248.99changed to$250.65
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.64 changed to 2.57
- Practice expense RVU 4.45 changed to 4.34
- Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.25
- 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
Earliest loaded release: $248.99
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
17274 billing questions
How is 17274 distinguished from the other destruction codes?
The lesion must measure 3.1 through 4.0 cm and be on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Codes for other anatomic groups or size ranges differ.
Is the code selected by the destruction method?
No. Select it by lesion diameter and anatomic group; the code covers destruction by any method.
Can a related postoperative visit be billed separately?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included.
Should modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this site-based descriptor.
How are other procedures performed in the same session paid?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are paid at 50% under the standard multiple procedure reduction.
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.
