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CPT code 13121: Complex repair, scalp, arm, or leg, 2.6–7.5 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia

Reports complex closure of a 2.6–7.5 cm wound on the scalp, arm, or leg when the repair requires work beyond routine layered closure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality217.6K Medicare services in 2024

In Virginia, Medicare pays $408.89 for 13121 in the office and $209.92 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$408.89Office (non-facility)
$209.92Hospital or facility
−2.1%vs the national office rate ($417.85)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 13121 nationwide

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

We’ll open 13121 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Virginia
  2. What 13121 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 13121 covers

This code covers a complex repair of a wound on the scalp, arm, or leg, with a repaired length from 2.6 through 7.5 cm. The repair involves more than routine layered closure, such as extensive undermining or other substantial measures needed to close a complicated wound. Surgeons, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and emergency physicians may perform these repairs in office, outpatient, or hospital settings, including after trauma or removal of a lesion.

Choose the code by the wound’s anatomic group, repair complexity, and length; documentation should identify the site, final repaired length, and work supporting complex rather than intermediate closure. Related postoperative visits are included in the 10-day global period. When multiple procedures occur 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; assistant-at-surgery services are not paid, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Virginia compares for 13121

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 13121 runs from $372.24 in Arkansas to $545.97 in San Benito County, CA. Virginia pays $408.89. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

13121 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$408.89
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$468.19+$59.30
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$475.11+$66.22
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$451.50+$42.61
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$439.15+$30.26
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$479.00+$70.11
  7. Alaska · Alaska$494.12+$85.23

Other areas in Virginia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

13121 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$377.36$200.25
ArkansasArkansas$372.24$198.37
ArizonaArizona$407.27$211.13
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$440.77$218.93
Chico, CACalifornia$439.44$217.60
El Centro, CACalifornia$439.51$217.67
Fresno, CACalifornia$439.44$217.60
Hanford, CACalifornia$439.44$217.60

13121 rates by state

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

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.

$372.24

$494.12

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

View every state and territory as a table
13121 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$494.121
AL$377.361
AR$372.241
AZ$407.271
CA$439.44–$545.9729
CO$433.651
CT$444.551
DC$475.111
DE$413.741
FL$413.23–$451.503
GA$391.20–$425.562
GU$449.041
HI$449.041
IA$385.791
ID$388.271
IL$402.38–$439.154
IN$390.371
KS$384.361
KY$386.311
LA$385.85–$403.742
MA$431.41–$474.512
MD$421.22–$475.113
ME$390.46–$409.972
MI$396.00–$418.382
MN$415.411
MO$379.80–$404.783
MS$376.081
MT$417.821
NC$394.261
ND$409.121
NE$387.691
NH$427.201
NJ$449.59–$470.712
NM$398.151
NV$415.661
NY$399.84–$490.355
OH$394.221
OK$385.371
OR$412.39–$446.462
PA$394.66–$434.212
PR$420.631
RI$427.741
SC$394.901
SD$408.091
TN$386.211
TX$392.24–$432.268
UT$399.971
VA$408.89–$475.112
VI$420.631
VT$407.861
WA$430.49–$483.612
WI$396.211
WV$388.431
WY$414.021

See 13121 in every payment locality

How the 13121 rate is calculated

Each of 13121’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 · 13121

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.90

3.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.17

8.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.44

0.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

12.5100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$417.85

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Virginia inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,437

Code
13121
Physician work
3.90
Practice expense
8.17
Malpractice
0.44

GPCI2026.csv

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 13121 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.90× 1.0003.9000
Practice expense8.17× 0.9838.0311
Malpractice0.44× 0.7060.3106
Total RVUs12.2417
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$408.89

Office: (3.9 × 1 + 8.17 × 0.983 + 0.44 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $408.89

Facility: (3.9 × 1 + 2.11 × 0.983 + 0.44 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $209.92

Open 13121 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 13121

13121 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 13121

Complex repair, scalp, arm, or leg, 2.6–7.5 cm

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 13121

Complex repair, scalp, arm, or leg, 2.6–7.5 cm

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.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

13121 without 51 · national office

$417.85

Complex repair, scalp, arm, or leg, 2.6–7.5 cm

13121-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$208.93

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 13121

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

Codes related to 13121
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Virginia
Same family
13120Complex repair, scalp, arm, or leg; 1.1–2.5 cmComplex repair of the scalp, arms, or legs in the shorter length range.$343.35
Add-on codes
13122Complex repair, additional scalp or limb lengthAdd-on code for qualifying additional length beyond the primary complex repair range.$124.93
Used instead
13101Complex repair, trunk, 2.6–7.5 cmComplex repair in the trunk anatomic group, rather than the scalp, arms, or legs.$382.05
13131Complex repair, face and related sites, 1.1–2.5 cmComplex repair for a different anatomic group, including the hands and feet.$376.00
13151Complex repair, eyelid, nose, ear, or lipComplex repair for the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips.$409.83

How 13121 has changed in Virginia

13121 · Office / nonfacility

$408.89

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.24 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $401.65 to $408.89 (1.8%).

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

    $401.65changed to$408.89

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.00 changed to 3.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.44
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $416.77changed to$401.65

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.29 changed to 8.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.49

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $409.96changed to$416.77

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $427.66changed to$409.96

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.34 changed to 8.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.47
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $436.91changed to$427.66

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.29 changed to 8.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.44
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $442.58changed to$436.91

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.34 changed to 8.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $437.69changed to$442.58

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.81 changed to 8.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $436.01changed to$437.69

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.67 changed to 7.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $431.99changed to$436.01

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.57 changed to 7.67

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $428.39changed to$431.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.53 changed to 7.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $424.83changed to$428.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.49 changed to 7.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.61 changed to 0.60
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $424.29changed to$424.83

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.61

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $422.18changed to$424.29

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $416.08changed to$422.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.31 changed to 7.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.58 changed to 0.54
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $425.16changed to$416.08

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.24 changed to 7.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.61 changed to 0.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $425.16

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$408.89$209.92RVU26D
2026-07-01$408.89$209.92RVU26C
2026-04-01$408.89$209.92RVU26B
2026-01-01$408.89$209.92RVU26A
2025-10-01$401.65$245.37RVU25D
2025-07-01$401.65$245.37RVU25C
2025-04-01$401.65$245.37RVU25B
2025-01-01$401.65$245.37RVU25A
2024-10-01$416.77$250.37RVU24D
2024-07-01$416.77$250.37RVU24C
2024-04-01$416.77$250.37RVU24B
2024-03-09$416.77$250.37RVU24AR
2024-01-01$409.96$246.29RVU24A
2023-10-01$427.66$254.55RVU23D
2023-07-01$427.66$254.55RVU23C
2023-04-01$427.66$254.55RVU23B
2023-01-01$427.66$254.55RVU23A
2022-10-01$436.91$257.52RVU22D
2022-07-01$436.91$257.52RVU22C
2022-04-01$436.91$257.52RVU22B
2022-01-01$436.91$257.52RVU22A
2021-10-01$442.58$259.96RVU21D
2021-07-01$442.58$259.96RVU21C
2021-04-01$442.58$259.96RVU21B
2021-01-01$442.58$259.96RVU21A
2020-10-01$437.69$268.17RVU20D
2020-07-01$437.69$268.17RVU20C
2020-04-01$437.69$268.17RVU20B
2020-01-01$437.69$268.17RVU20A
2019-10-01$436.01$272.91RVU19D
2019-07-01$436.01$272.91RVU19C
2019-04-01$436.01$272.91RVU19B
2019-01-01$436.01$272.91RVU19A
2018-10-01$431.99$274.03RVU18D
2018-07-01$431.99$274.03RVU18C
2018-04-01$431.99$274.03RVU18B
2018-01-01$431.99$274.03RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$428.39$272.85RVU17D
2017-07-01$428.39$272.85RVU17C
2017-04-01$428.39$272.85RVU17B
2017-01-01$428.39$272.85RVU17A
2016-10-01$424.83$270.32RVU16D
2016-07-01$424.83$270.32RVU16C
2016-04-01$424.83$270.32RVU16B
2016-01-01$424.83$270.32RVU16A
2015-10-01$424.29$269.58RVU15D
2015-07-01$424.29$269.58RVU15C
2015-04-01$422.18$268.23RVU15B
2015-01-01$422.18$268.23RVU15A
2014-10-01$416.08$265.83RVU14D
2014-07-01$416.08$265.83RVU14C
2014-04-01$416.08$265.83RVU14B
2014-01-01$416.08$265.83RVU14A
2013-10-01$425.16$262.95RVU13D
2013-07-01$425.16$262.95RVU13C
2013-04-01$425.16$262.95RVU13B
2013-01-01$425.16$262.95RVU13AR

Price 13121 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

13121 billing questions

How is this code distinguished from 13120?

Both cover complex repair of the scalp, arms, or legs. Use 13121 for a repaired length of 2.6–7.5 cm; 13120 is for the shorter length range.

When is complex repair supported rather than intermediate repair?

The record should show work beyond routine layered closure, such as extensive undermining or other substantial measures required by a complicated wound. Layered closure alone does not establish complex repair.

Can 13122 be reported with this code?

Yes, when the repair extends beyond the primary length range and the additional length meets the add-on code’s criteria. Document the total repaired length and report the primary repair code with the applicable add-on code.

Should modifier 50 be used for wounds on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

Are related postoperative visits separately payable during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the repair. Unrelated services are evaluated separately under the applicable reporting rules.

How does Medicare handle multiple procedures in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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
RVUs for 13121PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,437 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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