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CPT code 15120: Skin graft, special sites, initial area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports the initial split-thickness skin autograft area for reconstruction of the face, hands, feet, genitalia, or other designated sites.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $985.15 for 15120 in the office and $679.82 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$985.15Office (non-facility)
$679.82Hospital or facility
+12.7%vs the national office rate ($874.10)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15120 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 15120 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15120 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 15120 covers

A split-thickness autograft transfers the patient’s own epidermis and part of the dermis from a donor site to a recipient wound. This code covers the initial area when the recipient site is the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, or multiple digits. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons, burn surgeons, and other surgeons may use it for burn wounds, traumatic defects, or defects after excision in hospital or outpatient settings.

Report 15120 for the first 100 square centimeters, or the corresponding 1% body-area increment for infants and children. Document the recipient site, graft type, total area treated, and the patient’s age when using the pediatric body-area basis. Code additional area with 15121. The service has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted, 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 15120

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15120 runs from $778.75 in Arkansas to $1,101.35 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $985.15. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15120 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$985.15
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$958.85−$26.30
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$977.39−$7.76
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$949.37−$35.78
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,006.38+$21.23
  6. Alaska · Alaska$1,046.78+$61.63
  7. Alabama · Alabama$789.35−$195.80

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

15120 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$778.75$556.10
ArizonaArizona$851.10$599.95
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$906.04$621.97
Chico, CACalifornia$901.40$617.33
El Centro, CACalifornia$901.68$617.60
Fresno, CACalifornia$901.40$617.33
Hanford, CACalifornia$901.40$617.33
Madera, CACalifornia$901.40$617.33

15120 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.

$778.75

$1,046.78

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

View every state and territory as a table
15120 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,046.781
AL$789.351
AR$778.751
AZ$851.101
CA$901.40–$1,101.3529
CO$897.441
CT$929.801
DC$985.151
DE$864.391
FL$879.97–$977.393
GA$831.74–$893.862
GU$918.171
HI$918.171
IA$799.711
ID$806.291
IL$862.21–$949.374
IN$810.421
KS$800.151
KY$815.201
LA$815.58–$852.662
MA$894.26–$976.532
MD$878.81–$985.153
ME$814.40–$849.612
MI$838.58–$894.342
MN$849.951
MO$805.21–$850.743
MS$791.921
MT$873.991
NC$821.691
ND$841.761
NE$802.591
NH$887.341
NJ$937.60–$976.872
NM$844.461
NV$865.501
NY$833.48–$1,034.345
OH$832.001
OK$809.641
OR$855.98–$919.732
PA$831.01–$910.612
PR$878.661
RI$890.641
SC$828.771
SD$837.951
TN$804.401
TX$826.23–$896.928
UT$839.211
VA$849.78–$985.152
VI$878.661
VT$842.321
WA$891.30–$991.672
WI$815.891
WV$833.511
WY$859.951

See 15120 in every payment locality

How the 15120 rate is calculated

Each of 15120’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 · 15120

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work9.90

9.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense14.64

14.64 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.63

1.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

26.1700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$874.10

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,492

Code
15120
Physician work
9.90
Practice expense
14.64
Malpractice
1.63

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15120 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work9.90× 1.05410.4346
Practice expense14.64× 1.17817.2459
Malpractice1.63× 1.1131.8142
Total RVUs29.4947
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$985.15

Office: (9.9 × 1.054 + 14.64 × 1.178 + 1.63 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $985.15

Facility: (9.9 × 1.054 + 6.88 × 1.178 + 1.63 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $679.82

Open 15120 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15120

15120 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 15120

Skin graft, special sites, initial area

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 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)0.10/0.71/0.19Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 15120

Skin graft, special sites, initial area

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

15120 without 51 · national office

$874.10

Skin graft, special sites, initial area

15120-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$437.05

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 15120

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

Codes related to 15120
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15121Skin graft, additional area, selected sitesAdd-on code for additional graft area beyond the initial area reported with 15120.$251.48
Often billed with
15004Wound preparation, face, hands, feet, and similar sitesMay report recipient-site preparation for these sites when separately performed.$456.62
Used instead
15100Skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsSplit-thickness autograft for trunk, arms, or legs rather than the special sites covered here.$1,042.63
15115Epidermal graft, special sites, first 100 sq cmEpidermal graft for the same general special-site group, rather than a split-thickness autograft.$966.61
15135Dermal autograft, specified sites, initial areaDermal autograft for the special-site group, using a different graft type.$1,013.94
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesTissue-cultured skin graft for the special-site group, rather than a split-thickness autograft.$954.46

How 15120 has changed in Washington, DC area

15120 · Office / nonfacility

$985.15

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $48.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $936.84 to $985.15 (5.2%).

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

    $936.84changed to$985.15

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 10.15 changed to 9.90
    • Practice expense RVU 13.69 changed to 14.64
    • Malpractice RVU 1.64 changed to 1.63
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $963.27changed to$936.84

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 13.64 changed to 13.69
    • Malpractice RVU 1.67 changed to 1.64

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $947.55changed to$963.27

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $988.65changed to$947.55

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 13.55 changed to 13.64
    • Malpractice RVU 1.63 changed to 1.67
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1012.12changed to$988.65

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 13.29 changed to 13.55
    • Malpractice RVU 1.64 changed to 1.63
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1016.09changed to$1012.12

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 13.24 changed to 13.29
    • Malpractice RVU 1.59 changed to 1.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1013.68changed to$1016.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 12.60 changed to 13.24
    • Malpractice RVU 1.61 changed to 1.59
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $999.75changed to$1013.68

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 12.44 changed to 12.60
    • Malpractice RVU 1.70 changed to 1.61
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $995.18changed to$999.75

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 12.36 changed to 12.44

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $994.71changed to$995.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 12.37 changed to 12.36
    • Malpractice RVU 1.71 changed to 1.70
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $994.90changed to$994.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 12.38 changed to 12.37
    • Malpractice RVU 1.72 changed to 1.71
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $995.76changed to$994.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 12.37 changed to 12.38
    • Malpractice RVU 1.67 changed to 1.72

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $990.80changed to$995.76

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $985.22changed to$990.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 12.33 changed to 12.37
    • Malpractice RVU 1.68 changed to 1.67
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $983.43changed to$985.22

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 13.58 changed to 12.33
    • Malpractice RVU 1.76 changed to 1.68
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $983.43

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$985.15$679.82RVU26D
2026-07-01$985.15$679.82RVU26C
2026-04-01$985.15$679.82RVU26B
2026-01-01$985.15$679.82RVU26A
2025-10-01$936.84$759.47RVU25D
2025-07-01$936.84$759.47RVU25C
2025-04-01$936.84$759.47RVU25B
2025-01-01$936.84$759.47RVU25A
2024-10-01$963.27$775.59RVU24D
2024-07-01$963.27$775.59RVU24C
2024-04-01$963.27$775.59RVU24B
2024-03-09$963.27$775.59RVU24AR
2024-01-01$947.55$762.93RVU24A
2023-10-01$988.65$792.41RVU23D
2023-07-01$988.65$792.41RVU23C
2023-04-01$988.65$792.41RVU23B
2023-01-01$988.65$792.41RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,012.12$807.66RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,012.12$807.66RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,012.12$807.66RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,012.12$807.66RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,016.09$808.22RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,016.09$808.22RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,016.09$808.22RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,016.09$808.22RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,013.68$819.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,013.68$819.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,013.68$819.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,013.68$819.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$999.75$813.88RVU19D
2019-07-01$999.75$813.88RVU19C
2019-04-01$999.75$813.88RVU19B
2019-01-01$999.75$813.88RVU19A
2018-10-01$995.18$812.99RVU18D
2018-07-01$995.18$812.99RVU18C
2018-04-01$995.18$812.99RVU18B
2018-01-01$995.18$812.99RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$994.71$814.37RVU17D
2017-07-01$994.71$814.37RVU17C
2017-04-01$994.71$814.37RVU17B
2017-01-01$994.71$814.37RVU17A
2016-10-01$994.90$815.42RVU16D
2016-07-01$994.90$815.42RVU16C
2016-04-01$994.90$815.42RVU16B
2016-01-01$994.90$815.42RVU16A
2015-10-01$995.76$815.63RVU15D
2015-07-01$995.76$815.63RVU15C
2015-04-01$990.80$811.57RVU15B
2015-01-01$990.80$811.57RVU15A
2014-10-01$985.22$808.68RVU14D
2014-07-01$985.22$808.68RVU14C
2014-04-01$985.22$808.68RVU14B
2014-01-01$985.22$808.68RVU14A
2013-10-01$983.43$793.90RVU13D
2013-07-01$983.43$793.90RVU13C
2013-04-01$983.43$793.90RVU13B
2013-01-01$983.43$793.90RVU13AR

Price 15120 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

15120 billing questions

How does 15120 differ from 15100?

15120 is for the designated special sites, such as the face, hands, feet, and genitalia. 15100 is for trunk, arms, and legs.

When should 15121 be added?

Use 15121 for grafted area beyond the initial area reported with 15120. The record should support the additional area treated.

Can recipient-site preparation be reported separately?

When separately performed, recipient-site preparation may be reported with the applicable preparation code, such as 15004 for these sites. Document the preparation as a distinct service.

Should modifier 50 be used for grafts on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 15120, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care for the graft.

Is assistant-at-surgery payment available?

No. CMS lists a statutory restriction on assistant-at-surgery payment for 15120.

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 15120PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,492 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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