Billing code 17283: Lesion destructionMedicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 2.1–3.0 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes.
Medicare pays $234.43–$252.46 for 17283 in the office in Oregon, from Rest Of Oregon to Portland. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 9 sections
What 17283 covers
This service destroys a malignant skin lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes, with the lesion measuring 2.1–3.0 cm. A dermatologist or other qualified clinician may use an appropriate destructive method, such as cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or laser treatment, in an office or facility setting. The code is for malignant lesions, not benign growths or precancerous lesions treated with destruction.
Select the code using both the anatomic group and the documented lesion size; codes for other body sites have separate size series. The record should support the malignant diagnosis, treated site, lesion measurement, and destructive service performed. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, 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.
Where 17283 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | $252.46 | $145.22 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $234.43 | $138.29 |
How the 17283 rate is calculated
Each of 17283’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 · 17283
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.62Practice expense 4.24Malpractice 0.25
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 17283
17283 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 17283
Lesion destruction
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 17283
Lesion destruction
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
17283 without 51 · national office
$237.48
Lesion destruction
17283-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$118.74
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%).
17283 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
17283 vs 17282 vs 17284 vs 17263 vs 17273: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 17282Lesion destruction
- Use 17282 for a malignant lesion in the same anatomic group measuring 1.1–2.0 cm. This code applies when the lesion measures 2.1–3.0 cm.
- 17284Malignant lesion destruction
- Use 17284 for a lesion in the same anatomic group measuring 3.1–4.0 cm; this code ends at 3.0 cm.
- 17263Malignant lesion destruction
- This code is selected for the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes. Code 17263 is for a 2.1–3.0 cm malignant lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs.
- 17273Lesion destruction
- This code covers the face and related sites. Code 17273 covers the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia for a lesion in the corresponding size range.
17283 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 17282?
Both cover malignant lesions in the same anatomic group. Use 17283 for a lesion measuring 2.1–3.0 cm; 17282 covers the smaller 1.1–2.0 cm range.
When should a code from the 17260 series be used instead?
The 17260 series is for malignant lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs. This code is for lesions on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes.
Are related postoperative visits billed separately?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure.
Can modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?
No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.
How are other procedures performed in the same session paid?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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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