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CPT code 15005: Wound preparation, additional area, face or hand2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports additional recipient-site preparation on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, genitalia, hands, feet, or multiple digits beyond the initial treated area.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5.1K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $116.39 for 15005 in the office and $73.07 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$116.39Office (non-facility)
$73.07Hospital or facility
−6.6%vs the national office rate ($124.59)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15005 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 15005 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 15005 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 15005 covers

This add-on reports further surgical preparation of a recipient site in the specified areas by excising an open wound, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissue. A plastic, reconstructive, or burn surgeon may perform the work before grafting or another reconstructive service in an operating room or outpatient surgical setting. Examples include preparing additional wound area on a hand or face after removal of devitalized tissue or scar.

Report 15005 only with the applicable primary preparation service, 15004. The additional area is measured in 100-square-centimeter increments, or in 1% body-area increments for infants and children. Documentation should identify the treated site, the tissue excised, the area prepared, and the additional extent beyond the initial area. CMS classifies 15005 as an add-on code; payment is within the primary 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 North Carolina compares for 15005

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15005 runs from $110.46 in Arkansas to $152.06 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $116.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15005 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$116.39
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$134.09+$17.70
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$139.56+$23.17
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$144.46+$28.07
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$139.96+$23.57
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$144.48+$28.09
  7. Alaska · Alaska$149.51+$33.12

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

Every other payment area

15005 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$112.02$71.39
ArkansasArkansas$110.46$70.58
ArizonaArizona$121.06$76.07
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$127.00$76.12
Chico, CACalifornia$126.07$75.19
El Centro, CACalifornia$126.13$75.24
Fresno, CACalifornia$126.07$75.19
Hanford, CACalifornia$126.07$75.19

15005 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.

$110.46

$149.51

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

View every state and territory as a table
15005 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$149.511
AL$112.021
AR$110.461
AZ$121.061
CA$126.07–$152.0629
CO$126.641
CT$132.721
DC$139.561
DE$122.971
FL$127.61–$144.463
GA$120.16–$128.002
GU$128.181
HI$128.181
IA$112.541
ID$113.711
IL$125.66–$139.964
IN$114.291
KS$113.081
KY$116.841
LA$117.08–$122.522
MA$126.35–$137.332
MD$124.91–$139.563
ME$115.40–$119.842
MI$120.73–$130.242
MN$118.361
MO$115.86–$121.673
MS$113.131
MT$124.561
NC$116.391
ND$117.841
NE$112.821
NH$125.671
NJ$133.39–$138.422
NM$121.791
NV$122.751
NY$118.16–$149.205
OH$119.361
OK$115.511
OR$120.97–$129.302
PA$118.95–$130.222
PR$125.091
RI$126.371
SC$118.241
SD$117.041
TN$113.771
TX$118.28–$128.848
UT$119.761
VA$120.21–$139.562
VI$125.091
VT$118.361
WA$125.79–$138.992
WI$114.161
WV$121.471
WY$121.631

See 15005 in every payment locality

How the 15005 rate is calculated

Each of 15005’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 · 15005

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.56

1.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.83

1.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.34

0.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.7300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$124.59

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,469

Code
15005
Physician work
1.56
Practice expense
1.83
Malpractice
0.34

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 15005 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.56× 1.0001.5600
Practice expense1.83× 0.9331.7074
Malpractice0.34× 0.6390.2173
Total RVUs3.4847
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$116.39

Office: (1.56 × 1 + 1.83 × 0.933 + 0.34 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $116.39

Facility: (1.56 × 1 + 0.44 × 0.933 + 0.34 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $73.07

Open 15005 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15005

The CMS indicators that decide how 15005 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15005

Wound preparation, additional area, face or hand

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 15005

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

Codes related to 15005
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Primary code
15004Wound preparation, face, hands, feet, and similar sitesPrimary recipient-site preparation code for the specified face, hand, foot, and related areas.$381.30
Same family
15003Wound preparation, each additional areaAdditional-area preparation code for trunk, arms, or legs.$69.78
15002Wound preparation, trunk, arms, or legsInitial recipient-site preparation code for trunk, arms, or legs.$340.33
Often billed with
15120Skin graft, special sites, initial areaSplit-thickness skin graft application to areas including face, hands, feet, or genitalia.$821.69

How 15005 has changed in North Carolina

15005 · Office / nonfacility

$116.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $10.60 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $105.79 to $116.39 (10.0%).

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

    $105.79changed to$116.39

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.60 changed to 1.56
    • Practice expense RVU 1.56 changed to 1.83
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $108.34changed to$105.79

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.55 changed to 1.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $106.57changed to$108.34

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $111.02changed to$106.57

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.56 changed to 1.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $115.14changed to$111.02

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.57 changed to 1.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $117.43changed to$115.14

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.62 changed to 1.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $119.52changed to$117.43

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.58 changed to 1.62
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $119.45changed to$119.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.61 changed to 1.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $120.83changed to$119.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.67 changed to 1.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $120.84changed to$120.83

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $120.54changed to$120.84

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.66 changed to 1.67
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $121.03changed to$120.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.67 changed to 1.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $120.43changed to$121.03

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $120.09changed to$120.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.65 changed to 1.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $118.85changed to$120.09

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.81 changed to 1.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $118.85

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$116.39$73.07RVU26D
2026-07-01$116.39$73.07RVU26C
2026-04-01$116.39$73.07RVU26B
2026-01-01$116.39$73.07RVU26A
2025-10-01$105.79$81.23RVU25D
2025-07-01$105.79$81.23RVU25C
2025-04-01$105.79$81.23RVU25B
2025-01-01$105.79$81.23RVU25A
2024-10-01$108.34$83.07RVU24D
2024-07-01$108.34$83.07RVU24C
2024-04-01$108.34$83.07RVU24B
2024-03-09$108.34$83.07RVU24AR
2024-01-01$106.57$81.71RVU24A
2023-10-01$111.02$85.26RVU23D
2023-07-01$111.02$85.26RVU23C
2023-04-01$111.02$85.26RVU23B
2023-01-01$111.02$85.26RVU23A
2022-10-01$115.14$88.81RVU22D
2022-07-01$115.14$88.81RVU22C
2022-04-01$115.14$88.81RVU22B
2022-01-01$115.14$88.81RVU22A
2021-10-01$117.43$89.26RVU21D
2021-07-01$117.43$89.26RVU21C
2021-04-01$117.43$89.26RVU21B
2021-01-01$117.43$89.26RVU21A
2020-10-01$119.52$91.32RVU20D
2020-07-01$119.52$91.32RVU20C
2020-04-01$119.52$91.32RVU20B
2020-01-01$119.52$91.32RVU20A
2019-10-01$119.45$89.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$119.45$89.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$119.45$89.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$119.45$89.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$120.83$89.66RVU18D
2018-07-01$120.83$89.66RVU18C
2018-04-01$120.83$89.66RVU18B
2018-01-01$120.83$89.66RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$120.84$90.10RVU17D
2017-07-01$120.84$90.10RVU17C
2017-04-01$120.84$90.10RVU17B
2017-01-01$120.84$90.10RVU17A
2016-10-01$120.54$89.90RVU16D
2016-07-01$120.54$89.90RVU16C
2016-04-01$120.54$89.90RVU16B
2016-01-01$120.54$89.90RVU16A
2015-10-01$121.03$89.95RVU15D
2015-07-01$121.03$89.95RVU15C
2015-04-01$120.43$89.50RVU15B
2015-01-01$120.43$89.50RVU15A
2014-10-01$120.09$89.48RVU14D
2014-07-01$120.09$89.48RVU14C
2014-04-01$120.09$89.48RVU14B
2014-01-01$120.09$89.48RVU14A
2013-10-01$118.85$86.68RVU13D
2013-07-01$118.85$86.68RVU13C
2013-04-01$118.85$86.68RVU13B
2013-01-01$118.85$86.68RVU13AR

Price 15005 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

15005 billing questions

When should 15005 be chosen instead of 15004?

Use 15004 for the initial recipient-site preparation in the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, genitalia, hands, feet, or multiple digits. Report 15005 for additional qualifying area beyond that initial service.

Can 15005 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the applicable primary service, 15004.

Can wound preparation be reported with a skin graft?

It may be reported with a graft service when the surgeon performs and documents distinct recipient-site preparation in addition to graft application. The graft code represents the grafting work, not the additional area preparation described by 15005.

How is the additional area counted?

Document the additional area prepared in 100-square-centimeter increments. For infants and children, the descriptor uses additional 1% body-area increments.

What documentation supports 15005?

Record the qualifying anatomic site, the open wound, burn eschar, or scar excised, the tissue depth involved, and the additional area prepared beyond the initial area reported with 15004.

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 15005PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,469 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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