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

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 Chicago, IL, Medicare pays $240.45 for 15121 in the office and $138.06 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$240.45Office (non-facility)
$138.06Hospital or facility
+8.7%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 Chicago, IL
  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 Chicago, IL 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. Chicago, IL pays $240.45. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15121 in Chicago, IL vs other payment areas
  1. Chicago, IL · this page$240.45
  2. East St. Louis, IL · Illinois$223.98−$16.47
  3. Rest of Illinois · Illinois$216.66−$23.79
  4. Suburban Chicago, IL · Illinois$236.23−$4.22
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$245.05+$4.60
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$251.48+$11.03
  7. Miami, FL · Florida$248.38+$7.93

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

Every other payment area

15121 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Manhattan, NYNew York$256.50$138.12
AlaskaAlaska$256.61$148.11
AlabamaAlabama$197.28$108.14
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

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 Chicago, IL 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

48

Locality
Chicago, IL
Physician work
1.007
Practice expense
1.005
Malpractice
2.295
Office calculation for 15121 in Chicago, IL
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.95× 1.0071.9636
Practice expense4.25× 1.0054.2712
Malpractice0.42× 2.2950.9639
Total RVUs7.1988
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Chicago, IL$240.45

Office: (1.95 × 1.007 + 4.25 × 1.005 + 0.42 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $240.45

Facility: (1.95 × 1.007 + 1.2 × 1.005 + 0.42 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $138.06

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, Chicago, IL
Add-on codes
15120Skin graft, special sites, initial areaInitial split-thickness graft area for the same specified sites; report 15121 for additional area.$949.37
Used instead
15100Skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsInitial split-thickness graft area for the trunk, arms, or legs.$1,010.09
15101Skin graft, additional area, trunk or limbAdditional split-thickness graft area for the trunk, arms, or legs.$218.90
15116Epidermal graft, each additional 100 sq cmAdditional epidermal graft area for specified sites rather than split-thickness graft area.$189.78
15136Dermal autograft, each additional areaAdditional dermal graft area for specified sites.$113.35

How 15121 has changed in Chicago, IL

15121 · Office / nonfacility

$240.45

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $24.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $215.99 to $240.45 (11.3%).

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

    $215.99changed to$240.45

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.018 changed to 2.295

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $223.31changed to$215.99

    • 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

    $219.67changed to$223.31

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $230.22changed to$219.67

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.87 changed to 3.80
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.023
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.945 changed to 2.018

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $238.22changed to$230.22

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.87
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.871 changed to 1.945

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $240.27changed to$238.22

    • 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

    $236.78changed to$240.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.66 changed to 3.96
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.898 changed to 1.871

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $232.37changed to$236.78

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.66
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.925 changed to 1.898

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $230.31changed to$232.37

    • 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

    $232.23changed to$230.31

    • 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 1.012 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.972 changed to 1.925

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $232.38changed to$232.23

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.55
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.036
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.019 changed to 1.972

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $232.50changed to$232.38

    • 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

    $231.34changed to$232.50

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $229.49changed to$231.34

    • 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 1.023 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.037
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.048 changed to 2.019

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $235.33changed to$229.49

    • 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 1.030 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.077 changed to 2.048

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$235.33

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$240.45$138.06RVU26D
2026-07-01$240.45$138.06RVU26C
2026-04-01$240.45$138.06RVU26B
2026-01-01$240.45$138.06RVU26A
2025-10-01$215.99$142.53RVU25D
2025-07-01$215.99$142.53RVU25C
2025-04-01$215.99$142.53RVU25B
2025-01-01$215.99$142.53RVU25A
2024-10-01$223.31$145.67RVU24D
2024-07-01$223.31$145.67RVU24C
2024-04-01$223.31$145.67RVU24B
2024-03-09$223.31$145.67RVU24AR
2024-01-01$219.67$143.29RVU24A
2023-10-01$230.22$149.71RVU23D
2023-07-01$230.22$149.71RVU23C
2023-04-01$230.22$149.71RVU23B
2023-01-01$230.22$149.71RVU23A
2022-10-01$238.22$153.32RVU22D
2022-07-01$238.22$153.32RVU22C
2022-04-01$238.22$153.32RVU22B
2022-01-01$238.22$153.32RVU22A
2021-10-01$240.27$154.30RVU21D
2021-07-01$240.27$154.30RVU21C
2021-04-01$240.27$154.30RVU21B
2021-01-01$240.27$154.30RVU21A
2020-10-01$236.78$156.16RVU20D
2020-07-01$236.78$156.16RVU20C
2020-04-01$236.78$156.16RVU20B
2020-01-01$236.78$156.16RVU20A
2019-10-01$232.37$154.49RVU19D
2019-07-01$232.37$154.49RVU19C
2019-04-01$232.37$154.49RVU19B
2019-01-01$232.37$154.49RVU19A
2018-10-01$230.31$152.88RVU18D
2018-07-01$230.31$152.88RVU18C
2018-04-01$230.31$152.88RVU18B
2018-01-01$230.31$152.88RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$232.23$154.52RVU17D
2017-07-01$232.23$154.52RVU17C
2017-04-01$232.23$154.52RVU17B
2017-01-01$232.23$154.52RVU17A
2016-10-01$232.38$154.41RVU16D
2016-07-01$232.38$154.41RVU16C
2016-04-01$232.38$154.41RVU16B
2016-01-01$232.38$154.41RVU16A
2015-10-01$232.50$154.62RVU15D
2015-07-01$232.50$154.62RVU15C
2015-04-01$231.34$153.85RVU15B
2015-01-01$231.34$153.85RVU15A
2014-10-01$229.49$152.45RVU14D
2014-07-01$229.49$152.45RVU14C
2014-04-01$229.49$152.45RVU14B
2014-01-01$229.49$152.45RVU14A
2013-10-01$235.33$152.02RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 15121 for an earlier date of service

Where the Chicago, IL rate applies

Chicago, IL is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 137 cities and communities in Illinois. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

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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 Chicago, ILGPCI2026.csv, line 48 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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