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CPT code 15121: Skin graft, additional area, selected sites2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports each additional area of split-thickness skin grafting on specified sites such as the face, hands, feet, or multiple digits.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $251.48 for 15121 in the office and $131.48 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$251.48Office (non-facility)
$131.48Hospital or facility
+13.7%vs the national office rate ($221.11)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15121 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 15121 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15121 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 15121 covers

This add-on represents additional recipient area covered with a split-thickness skin graft on sites such as the face, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or multiple digits. The graft uses a thin layer of the patient’s own skin. Plastic surgeons, burn surgeons, and other surgeons may use it for reconstruction after burns, trauma, or excision, often in an operating room or hospital setting.

Use 15121 only with the initial-area code 15120. The additional area is counted in 100-square-centimeter increments, or in 1% body-area increments for infants and children. Document the recipient site, graft type, patient age when relevant, and the measured graft area supporting the units reported. CMS classifies 15121 as an add-on code: it is billed with a primary procedure and 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 Washington, DC area compares for 15121

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15121 runs from $194.29 in Arkansas to $284.51 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $251.48. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15121 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$251.48
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$245.05−$6.43
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$248.38−$3.10
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$240.45−$11.03
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$256.50+$5.02
  6. Alaska · Alaska$256.61+$5.13
  7. Alabama · Alabama$197.28−$54.20

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

Every other payment area

15121 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$194.29$106.79
ArizonaArizona$214.69$115.98
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$230.49$118.84
Chico, CACalifornia$229.34$117.69
El Centro, CACalifornia$229.41$117.76
Fresno, CACalifornia$229.34$117.69
Hanford, CACalifornia$229.34$117.69
Madera, CACalifornia$229.34$117.69

15121 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.

$194.29

$256.93

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

View every state and territory as a table
15121 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$256.611
AL$197.281
AR$194.291
AZ$214.691
CA$229.34–$284.5129
CO$227.911
CT$236.291
DC$251.481
DE$218.321
FL$221.92–$248.383
GA$208.48–$226.402
GU$234.661
HI$234.661
IA$200.591
ID$202.361
IL$216.66–$240.454
IN$203.541
KS$200.531
KY$204.161
LA$204.20–$214.652
MA$226.83–$249.782
MD$222.32–$251.483
ME$204.45–$214.662
MI$210.57–$225.772
MN$215.351
MO$201.16–$214.333
MS$197.721
MT$221.091
NC$206.541
ND$212.781
NE$201.461
NH$225.181
NJ$238.14–$248.882
NM$212.151
NV$218.911
NY$209.85–$264.135
OH$208.881
OK$202.801
OR$216.38–$234.322
PA$208.70–$230.812
PR$222.471
RI$225.521
SC$208.221
SD$211.801
TN$201.701
TX$207.34–$227.888
UT$211.171
VA$214.58–$251.482
VI$222.471
VT$212.761
WA$226.13–$254.032
WI$205.441
WV$208.561
WY$217.471

See 15121 in every payment locality

How the 15121 rate is calculated

Each of 15121’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 · 15121

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.95

1.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.25

4.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.42

0.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.6200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$221.11

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

1,493

Code
15121
Physician work
1.95
Practice expense
4.25
Malpractice
0.42

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15121 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.95× 1.0542.0553
Practice expense4.25× 1.1785.0065
Malpractice0.42× 1.1130.4675
Total RVUs7.5293
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$251.48

Office: (1.95 × 1.054 + 4.25 × 1.178 + 0.42 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $251.48

Facility: (1.95 × 1.054 + 1.2 × 1.178 + 0.42 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $131.48

Open 15121 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15121

The CMS indicators that decide how 15121 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15121

Skin graft, additional area, selected sites

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)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 15121

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

Codes related to 15121
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15120Skin graft, special sites, initial areaInitial split-thickness graft area for the same specified sites; report 15121 for additional area.$985.15
Used instead
15100Skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsInitial split-thickness graft area for the trunk, arms, or legs.$1,042.63
15101Skin graft, additional area, trunk or limbAdditional split-thickness graft area for the trunk, arms, or legs.$229.47
15116Epidermal graft, each additional 100 sq cmAdditional epidermal graft area for specified sites rather than split-thickness graft area.$182.66
15136Dermal autograft, each additional areaAdditional dermal graft area for specified sites.$113.00

How 15121 has changed in Washington, DC area

15121 · Office / nonfacility

$251.48

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $23.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $228.07 to $251.48 (10.3%).

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

    $228.07changed to$251.48

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.00 changed to 1.95
    • Practice expense RVU 3.73 changed to 4.25
    • 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

    $236.70changed to$228.07

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.80 changed to 3.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $232.84changed to$236.70

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $247.46changed to$232.84

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.87 changed to 3.80
    • 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

    $259.39changed to$247.46

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.87
    • 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

    $261.95changed to$259.39

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 3.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $254.97changed to$261.95

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.66 changed to 3.96
    • 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

    $247.65changed to$254.97

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.66
    • 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

    $245.62changed to$247.65

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $246.54changed to$245.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • 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

    $245.86changed to$246.54

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.55
    • 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

    $246.29changed to$245.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $245.07changed to$246.29

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $240.61changed to$245.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.49 changed to 3.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.38
    • 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

    $244.16changed to$240.61

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.89 changed to 3.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • 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: $244.16

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$251.48$131.48RVU26D
2026-07-01$251.48$131.48RVU26C
2026-04-01$251.48$131.48RVU26B
2026-01-01$251.48$131.48RVU26A
2025-10-01$228.07$142.47RVU25D
2025-07-01$228.07$142.47RVU25C
2025-04-01$228.07$142.47RVU25B
2025-01-01$228.07$142.47RVU25A
2024-10-01$236.70$146.23RVU24D
2024-07-01$236.70$146.23RVU24C
2024-04-01$236.70$146.23RVU24B
2024-03-09$236.70$146.23RVU24AR
2024-01-01$232.84$143.85RVU24A
2023-10-01$247.46$152.84RVU23D
2023-07-01$247.46$152.84RVU23C
2023-04-01$247.46$152.84RVU23B
2023-01-01$247.46$152.84RVU23A
2022-10-01$259.39$158.87RVU22D
2022-07-01$259.39$158.87RVU22C
2022-04-01$259.39$158.87RVU22B
2022-01-01$259.39$158.87RVU22A
2021-10-01$261.95$160.17RVU21D
2021-07-01$261.95$160.17RVU21C
2021-04-01$261.95$160.17RVU21B
2021-01-01$261.95$160.17RVU21A
2020-10-01$254.97$160.23RVU20D
2020-07-01$254.97$160.23RVU20C
2020-04-01$254.97$160.23RVU20B
2020-01-01$254.97$160.23RVU20A
2019-10-01$247.65$156.88RVU19D
2019-07-01$247.65$156.88RVU19C
2019-04-01$247.65$156.88RVU19B
2019-01-01$247.65$156.88RVU19A
2018-10-01$245.62$155.39RVU18D
2018-07-01$245.62$155.39RVU18C
2018-04-01$245.62$155.39RVU18B
2018-01-01$245.62$155.39RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$246.54$156.15RVU17D
2017-07-01$246.54$156.15RVU17C
2017-04-01$246.54$156.15RVU17B
2017-01-01$246.54$156.15RVU17A
2016-10-01$245.86$155.26RVU16D
2016-07-01$245.86$155.26RVU16C
2016-04-01$245.86$155.26RVU16B
2016-01-01$245.86$155.26RVU16A
2015-10-01$246.29$155.80RVU15D
2015-07-01$246.29$155.80RVU15C
2015-04-01$245.07$155.02RVU15B
2015-01-01$245.07$155.02RVU15A
2014-10-01$240.61$151.91RVU14D
2014-07-01$240.61$151.91RVU14C
2014-04-01$240.61$151.91RVU14B
2014-01-01$240.61$151.91RVU14A
2013-10-01$244.16$149.19RVU13D
2013-07-01$244.16$149.19RVU13C
2013-04-01$244.16$149.19RVU13B
2013-01-01$244.16$149.19RVU13AR

Price 15121 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

15121 billing questions

Can 15121 be reported without 15120?

No. It is an add-on for additional split-thickness graft area and is reported with 15120 for the initial area.

How is the additional graft area counted?

Count additional area in 100-square-centimeter increments. For infants and children, the measure is each additional 1% of body area.

When should 15100 or 15101 be used instead?

Those split-thickness graft codes apply to the trunk, arms, or legs. Use the 15120/15121 site group for the face, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or multiple digits.

How does 15121 differ from 15116?

Both are add-on codes for specified sites, but 15121 is for split-thickness grafting and 15116 is for epidermal grafting.

What documentation supports reporting 15121?

Record the graft type, recipient site, and measured area. For an infant or child, document the body-area measure used to support the additional units.

How does the global-period rule affect payment?

CMS identifies 15121 as an add-on billed with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure’s global period.

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 15121PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,493 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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