CPT code 15003: Wound preparation, each additional area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Reports additional surgical preparation of a trunk, arm, or leg wound bed when excision of damaged tissue extends beyond the initial area.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $68.14 for 15003 in the office and $36.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15003 nationwide
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 11 sections
What 15003 covers
This add-on reports further surgical preparation of a wound recipient site on the trunk, an arm, or a leg after the initial area has been reported. The surgeon excises open-wound tissue, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissue, to ready the wound bed for grafting or another reconstructive treatment. Plastic, burn, and other surgeons commonly perform this work in an operating room or procedure facility.
Report 15003 for each additional 100 square centimeters, or each additional 1% of body surface area in infants and children, beyond the initial area represented by 15002. The operative record should identify the treated body site, the excised tissue, and the total recipient-site area prepared. CMS classifies 15003 as an add-on: it must be billed with its primary procedure, 15002, and is paid within that procedure’s global period.
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 Tennessee compares for 15003
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15003 runs from $65.87 in Arkansas to $93.79 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $68.14. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$68.14
- Los Angeles, CA · California$81.69+$13.55
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$84.51+$16.37
- Miami, FL · Florida$85.76+$17.62
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$83.00+$14.86
- Manhattan, NY · New York$86.93+$18.79
- Alaska · Alaska$87.92+$19.78
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $66.86 | $36.18 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $65.87 | $35.75 |
| ArizonaArizona | $72.63 | $38.64 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $77.07 | $38.63 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $76.61 | $38.17 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $87.10 | $40.87 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $81.06 | $39.61 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $78.51 | $40.07 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $79.94 | $39.15 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $79.63 | $38.99 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $81.23 | $39.28 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $91.57 | $42.12 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $91.36 | $41.91 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $93.79 | $43.22 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $92.96 | $42.38 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $78.41 | $38.47 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $81.77 | $39.16 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $79.85 | $38.96 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $82.56 | $39.49 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $86.80 | $40.58 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $76.58 | $38.14 |
| ColoradoColorado | $76.55 | $39.23 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $79.89 | $42.12 |
| DelawareDelaware | $73.83 | $39.18 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $80.23 | $44.70 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $75.96 | $42.43 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $76.79 | $41.16 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $71.36 | $40.07 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $78.14 | $38.27 |
| IowaIowa | $67.56 | $35.47 |
| IdahoIdaho | $68.23 | $35.96 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $77.49 | $45.23 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $74.48 | $42.46 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $80.80 | $44.78 |
| IndianaIndiana | $68.61 | $36.10 |
| KansasKansas | $67.73 | $36.03 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $69.56 | $38.38 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $73.11 | $40.11 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $69.65 | $38.61 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $83.52 | $41.64 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $76.28 | $39.35 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $79.78 | $42.15 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $75.10 | $39.61 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $69.13 | $36.86 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $72.21 | $37.46 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $77.45 | $43.60 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $71.87 | $39.85 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $71.83 | $35.74 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $72.07 | $39.14 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $72.78 | $39.39 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $68.76 | $38.53 |
| MississippiMississippi | $67.31 | $37.11 |
| MontanaMontana | $74.81 | $39.74 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $69.78 | $37.06 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $71.25 | $36.18 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $67.79 | $35.42 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $75.82 | $39.31 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $83.71 | $43.03 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $80.38 | $42.08 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $72.48 | $40.32 |
| NevadaNevada | $73.86 | $38.75 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $89.72 | $48.02 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $81.31 | $42.91 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $86.92 | $45.47 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $70.89 | $37.58 |
| OhioOhio | $71.15 | $39.13 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $68.90 | $37.58 |
| Portland, OROregon | $78.44 | $39.48 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $72.86 | $37.93 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $78.20 | $41.69 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $70.98 | $38.79 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $75.20 | $39.74 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $76.07 | $39.85 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $70.67 | $38.26 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $70.83 | $35.75 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $76.66 | $39.56 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $70.54 | $38.63 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $73.32 | $38.56 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $74.03 | $39.10 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $73.68 | $39.10 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $73.69 | $38.87 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $76.99 | $42.16 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $72.05 | $38.77 |
| UtahUtah | $71.64 | $38.67 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $72.32 | $37.85 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $75.20 | $39.74 |
| VermontVermont | $71.42 | $36.70 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $75.99 | $39.06 |
| King County, WAWashington | $84.73 | $41.69 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $68.86 | $35.26 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $71.81 | $41.33 |
| WyomingWyoming | $73.25 | $38.18 |
15003 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$65.87
$87.92
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $87.92 | 1 |
| AL | $66.86 | 1 |
| AR | $65.87 | 1 |
| AZ | $72.63 | 1 |
| CA | $76.58–$93.79 | 29 |
| CO | $76.55 | 1 |
| CT | $79.89 | 1 |
| DC | $84.51 | 1 |
| DE | $73.83 | 1 |
| FL | $75.96–$85.76 | 3 |
| GA | $71.36–$76.79 | 2 |
| GU | $78.14 | 1 |
| HI | $78.14 | 1 |
| IA | $67.56 | 1 |
| ID | $68.23 | 1 |
| IL | $74.48–$83.00 | 4 |
| IN | $68.61 | 1 |
| KS | $67.73 | 1 |
| KY | $69.56 | 1 |
| LA | $69.65–$73.11 | 2 |
| MA | $76.28–$83.52 | 2 |
| MD | $75.10–$84.51 | 3 |
| ME | $69.13–$72.21 | 2 |
| MI | $71.87–$77.45 | 2 |
| MN | $71.83 | 1 |
| MO | $68.76–$72.78 | 3 |
| MS | $67.31 | 1 |
| MT | $74.81 | 1 |
| NC | $69.78 | 1 |
| ND | $71.25 | 1 |
| NE | $67.79 | 1 |
| NH | $75.82 | 1 |
| NJ | $80.38–$83.71 | 2 |
| NM | $72.48 | 1 |
| NV | $73.86 | 1 |
| NY | $70.89–$89.72 | 5 |
| OH | $71.15 | 1 |
| OK | $68.90 | 1 |
| OR | $72.86–$78.44 | 2 |
| PA | $70.98–$78.20 | 2 |
| PR | $75.20 | 1 |
| RI | $76.07 | 1 |
| SC | $70.67 | 1 |
| SD | $70.83 | 1 |
| TN | $68.14 | 1 |
| TX | $70.54–$76.99 | 8 |
| UT | $71.64 | 1 |
| VA | $72.32–$84.51 | 2 |
| VI | $75.20 | 1 |
| VT | $71.42 | 1 |
| WA | $75.99–$84.73 | 2 |
| WI | $68.86 | 1 |
| WV | $71.81 | 1 |
| WY | $73.25 | 1 |
How the 15003 rate is calculated
Each of 15003’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 · 15003
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.78
0.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.28
1.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.18
0.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.2400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$74.82
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,467
- Code
- 15003
- Physician work
- 0.78
- Practice expense
- 1.28
- Malpractice
- 0.18
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.78 | × 1.000 | 0.7800 |
| Practice expense | 1.28 | × 0.909 | 1.1635 |
| Malpractice | 0.18 | × 0.537 | 0.0967 |
| Total RVUs | 2.0402 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$68.14
Office: (0.78 × 1 + 1.28 × 0.909 + 0.18 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $68.14
Facility: (0.78 × 1 + 0.23 × 0.909 + 0.18 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $36.26
Payment rules and modifiers for 15003
The CMS indicators that decide how 15003 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 15003
Wound preparation, each additional area
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
How 15003 has changed in Tennessee
15003 · Office / nonfacility
$68.14
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $7.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $60.46 to $68.14 (12.7%).
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
$60.46changed to$68.14
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.80 changed to 0.78
- Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.28
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
- Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$62.70changed to$60.46
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.09
- Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$61.67changed to$62.70
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$63.59changed to$61.67
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$65.01changed to$63.59
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.10
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$66.77changed to$65.01
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.11
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.18
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$68.07changed to$66.77
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.16
- Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$69.21changed to$68.07
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
- Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$70.75changed to$69.21
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.20 changed to 1.15
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$70.75
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $68.14 | $36.26 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $68.14 | $36.26 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $68.14 | $36.26 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $68.14 | $36.26 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $60.46 | $39.30 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $60.46 | $39.30 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $60.46 | $39.30 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $60.46 | $39.30 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $62.70 | $40.63 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $62.70 | $40.63 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $62.70 | $40.63 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $62.70 | $40.63 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $61.67 | $39.96 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $63.59 | $41.18 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $63.59 | $41.18 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $63.59 | $41.18 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $63.59 | $41.18 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $65.01 | $41.86 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $65.01 | $41.86 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $65.01 | $41.86 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $65.01 | $41.86 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $66.77 | $42.18 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $66.77 | $42.18 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $66.77 | $42.18 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $66.77 | $42.18 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $68.07 | $43.46 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $68.07 | $43.46 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $68.07 | $43.46 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $68.07 | $43.46 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $69.21 | $43.55 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $69.21 | $43.55 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $69.21 | $43.55 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $69.21 | $43.55 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $70.75 | $43.83 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $70.75 | $43.83 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $70.75 | $43.83 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Tennessee rate applies
Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adams
- Adamsville
- Alamo
- Alcoa
- Alexandria
- Algood
- Allardt
- Altamont
15003 billing questions
When is 15003 reported instead of 15002?
15002 represents the initial qualifying area on the trunk, arms, or legs. Report 15003 for each additional 100 square centimeters, or each additional 1% of body surface area in infants and children.
Can 15003 be billed by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with 15002 for the initial area.
Does wound-bed preparation include the graft placement?
No. The preparation describes excision to ready the recipient site; graft or other reconstructive treatment is a separate service when performed and reportable.
What documentation supports additional units?
Document the anatomic site, the tissue excised, and the total recipient-site area prepared. The recorded area should support each additional 100-square-centimeter increment or, for an infant or child, each additional 1% body-surface-area increment.
How does the global-period rule affect 15003?
CMS treats 15003 as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period. It is not reported as a standalone service.
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
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