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CPT code 15003: Wound preparation, each additional area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Reports additional surgical preparation of a trunk, arm, or leg wound bed when excision of damaged tissue extends beyond the initial area.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality42.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $76.99 for 15003 in the office and $42.16 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$76.99Office (non-facility)
$42.16Hospital or facility
+2.9%vs the national office rate ($74.82)

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.

We’ll open 15003 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 15003 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 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 Houston, TX 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. Houston, TX pays $76.99. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15003 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$76.99
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$76.66−$0.33
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$70.54−$6.45
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$73.32−$3.67
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$74.03−$2.96
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$73.68−$3.31
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$73.69−$3.30

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

Every other payment area

15003 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$72.05$38.77
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$81.69$40.20
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$84.51$43.20
Miami, FLFlorida$85.76$49.25
Chicago, ILIllinois$83.00$47.75
Manhattan, NYNew York$86.93$46.18
AlaskaAlaska$87.92$50.57
AlabamaAlabama$66.86$36.18

15003 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.

$65.87

$87.92

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

View every state and territory as a table
15003 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$87.921
AL$66.861
AR$65.871
AZ$72.631
CA$76.58–$93.7929
CO$76.551
CT$79.891
DC$84.511
DE$73.831
FL$75.96–$85.763
GA$71.36–$76.792
GU$78.141
HI$78.141
IA$67.561
ID$68.231
IL$74.48–$83.004
IN$68.611
KS$67.731
KY$69.561
LA$69.65–$73.112
MA$76.28–$83.522
MD$75.10–$84.513
ME$69.13–$72.212
MI$71.87–$77.452
MN$71.831
MO$68.76–$72.783
MS$67.311
MT$74.811
NC$69.781
ND$71.251
NE$67.791
NH$75.821
NJ$80.38–$83.712
NM$72.481
NV$73.861
NY$70.89–$89.725
OH$71.151
OK$68.901
OR$72.86–$78.442
PA$70.98–$78.202
PR$75.201
RI$76.071
SC$70.671
SD$70.831
TN$68.141
TX$70.54–$76.998
UT$71.641
VA$72.32–$84.512
VI$75.201
VT$71.421
WA$75.99–$84.732
WI$68.861
WV$71.811
WY$73.251

See 15003 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Houston, TX 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

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 15003 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.78× 1.0080.7862
Practice expense1.28× 0.9931.2710
Malpractice0.18× 1.3760.2477
Total RVUs2.3050
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$76.99

Office: (0.78 × 1.008 + 1.28 × 0.993 + 0.18 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $76.99

Facility: (0.78 × 1.008 + 0.23 × 0.993 + 0.18 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $42.16

Open 15003 in the RVU calculator

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

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 15003

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

Codes related to 15003
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Add-on codes
15002Wound preparation, trunk, arms, or legsReports the initial qualifying trunk, arm, or leg recipient-site area and is required with 15003.$370.63
Same family
15005Wound preparation, additional area, face or handAdditional-area wound preparation for specified sites such as the face, scalp, hands, and feet.$128.84
Used instead
15004Wound preparation, face, hands, feet, and similar sitesReports the initial recipient-site area when preparation involves the specified face, head, hand, foot, or genital sites.$411.82
Often billed with
15100Skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsSplit-thickness skin graft placement may follow preparation of a trunk, arm, or leg recipient site.$945.34

How 15003 has changed in Houston, TX

15003 · Office / nonfacility

$76.99

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.64 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $69.35 to $76.99 (11.0%).

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

    $69.35changed to$76.99

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $72.17changed to$69.35

    • 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.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $70.99changed to$72.17

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $72.64changed to$70.99

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $73.70changed to$72.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.10
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $75.48changed to$73.70

    • 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.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $76.15changed to$75.48

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.16
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $76.75changed to$76.15

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.12
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $78.48changed to$76.75

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.20 changed to 1.15

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $77.83changed to$78.48

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $77.54changed to$77.83

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $78.18changed to$77.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.21 changed to 1.20

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $77.79changed to$78.18

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $76.90changed to$77.79

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.21
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $77.83changed to$76.90

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.33 changed to 1.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $77.83

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$76.99$42.16RVU26D
2026-07-01$76.99$42.16RVU26C
2026-04-01$76.99$42.16RVU26B
2026-01-01$76.99$42.16RVU26A
2025-10-01$69.35$45.67RVU25D
2025-07-01$69.35$45.67RVU25C
2025-04-01$69.35$45.67RVU25B
2025-01-01$69.35$45.67RVU25A
2024-10-01$72.17$47.46RVU24D
2024-07-01$72.17$47.46RVU24C
2024-04-01$72.17$47.46RVU24B
2024-03-09$72.17$47.46RVU24AR
2024-01-01$70.99$46.69RVU24A
2023-10-01$72.64$47.17RVU23D
2023-07-01$72.64$47.17RVU23C
2023-04-01$72.64$47.17RVU23B
2023-01-01$72.64$47.17RVU23A
2022-10-01$73.70$47.00RVU22D
2022-07-01$73.70$47.00RVU22C
2022-04-01$73.70$47.00RVU22B
2022-01-01$73.70$47.00RVU22A
2021-10-01$75.48$47.12RVU21D
2021-07-01$75.48$47.12RVU21C
2021-04-01$75.48$47.12RVU21B
2021-01-01$75.48$47.12RVU21A
2020-10-01$76.15$48.18RVU20D
2020-07-01$76.15$48.18RVU20C
2020-04-01$76.15$48.18RVU20B
2020-01-01$76.15$48.18RVU20A
2019-10-01$76.75$47.93RVU19D
2019-07-01$76.75$47.93RVU19C
2019-04-01$76.75$47.93RVU19B
2019-01-01$76.75$47.93RVU19A
2018-10-01$78.48$48.25RVU18D
2018-07-01$78.48$48.25RVU18C
2018-04-01$78.48$48.25RVU18B
2018-01-01$78.48$48.25RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$77.83$47.78RVU17D
2017-07-01$77.83$47.78RVU17C
2017-04-01$77.83$47.78RVU17B
2017-01-01$77.83$47.78RVU17A
2016-10-01$77.54$47.64RVU16D
2016-07-01$77.54$47.64RVU16C
2016-04-01$77.54$47.64RVU16B
2016-01-01$77.54$47.64RVU16A
2015-10-01$78.18$47.82RVU15D
2015-07-01$78.18$47.82RVU15C
2015-04-01$77.79$47.58RVU15B
2015-01-01$77.79$47.58RVU15A
2014-10-01$76.90$47.05RVU14D
2014-07-01$76.90$47.05RVU14C
2014-04-01$76.90$47.05RVU14B
2014-01-01$76.90$47.05RVU14A
2013-10-01$77.83$45.78RVU13D
2013-07-01$77.83$45.78RVU13C
2013-04-01$77.83$45.78RVU13B
2013-01-01$77.83$45.78RVU13AR

Price 15003 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 15003PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,467 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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