CPT code 15121: Skin graft, additional area, selected sites2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
Reports each additional area of split-thickness skin grafting on specified sites such as the face, hands, feet, or multiple digits.
In Virginia, Medicare pays $214.58 for 15121 in the office and $114.44 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $214.58. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Virginia · this page$214.58
- Los Angeles, CA · California$245.05+$30.47
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$251.48+$36.90
- Miami, FL · Florida$248.38+$33.80
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$240.45+$25.87
- Manhattan, NY · New York$256.50+$41.92
- Alaska · Alaska$256.61+$42.03
Other areas in Virginia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $263.46 | $129.19 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $243.48 | $123.07 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $233.85 | $122.20 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $240.09 | $121.61 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $239.19 | $121.12 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $244.47 | $122.63 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $277.91 | $134.27 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $277.44 | $133.80 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $284.51 | $137.61 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $282.56 | $135.66 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $235.44 | $119.41 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $246.49 | $122.72 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $239.99 | $121.21 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $248.92 | $123.82 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $262.77 | $128.50 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $229.34 | $117.69 |
| ColoradoColorado | $227.91 | $119.52 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $236.29 | $126.58 |
| DelawareDelaware | $218.32 | $117.67 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $234.29 | $131.10 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $221.92 | $124.53 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $226.40 | $122.90 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $208.48 | $117.61 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $234.66 | $118.83 |
| IowaIowa | $200.59 | $107.38 |
| IdahoIdaho | $202.36 | $108.64 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $223.98 | $130.26 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $216.66 | $123.65 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $236.23 | $131.61 |
| IndianaIndiana | $203.54 | $109.10 |
| KansasKansas | $200.53 | $108.44 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $204.16 | $113.60 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $214.65 | $118.78 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $204.20 | $114.04 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $249.78 | $128.14 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $226.83 | $119.56 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $235.84 | $126.53 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $222.32 | $119.22 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $204.45 | $110.73 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $214.66 | $113.70 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $225.77 | $127.46 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $210.57 | $117.56 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $215.35 | $110.53 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $212.13 | $116.47 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $214.33 | $117.35 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $201.16 | $113.35 |
| MississippiMississippi | $197.72 | $110.01 |
| MontanaMontana | $221.09 | $119.21 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $206.54 | $111.49 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $212.78 | $110.91 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $201.46 | $107.43 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $225.18 | $119.13 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $248.88 | $130.71 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $238.14 | $126.89 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $212.15 | $118.73 |
| NevadaNevada | $218.91 | $116.94 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $264.13 | $143.01 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $240.48 | $128.93 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $257.32 | $136.90 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $209.85 | $113.07 |
| OhioOhio | $208.88 | $115.87 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $202.80 | $111.82 |
| Portland, OROregon | $234.32 | $121.14 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $216.38 | $114.91 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $230.81 | $124.76 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $208.70 | $115.18 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $222.47 | $119.47 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $225.52 | $120.29 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $208.22 | $114.09 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $211.80 | $109.93 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $201.70 | $109.10 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $227.88 | $120.10 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $207.34 | $114.64 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $217.27 | $116.32 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $219.14 | $117.68 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $217.90 | $117.46 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $218.23 | $117.07 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $225.92 | $124.76 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $212.51 | $115.84 |
| UtahUtah | $211.17 | $115.41 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $222.47 | $119.47 |
| VermontVermont | $212.76 | $111.91 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $226.13 | $118.86 |
| King County, WAWashington | $254.03 | $129.03 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $205.44 | $107.85 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $208.56 | $120.04 |
| WyomingWyoming | $217.47 | $115.59 |
15121 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $256.61 | 1 |
| AL | $197.28 | 1 |
| AR | $194.29 | 1 |
| AZ | $214.69 | 1 |
| CA | $229.34–$284.51 | 29 |
| CO | $227.91 | 1 |
| CT | $236.29 | 1 |
| DC | $251.48 | 1 |
| DE | $218.32 | 1 |
| FL | $221.92–$248.38 | 3 |
| GA | $208.48–$226.40 | 2 |
| GU | $234.66 | 1 |
| HI | $234.66 | 1 |
| IA | $200.59 | 1 |
| ID | $202.36 | 1 |
| IL | $216.66–$240.45 | 4 |
| IN | $203.54 | 1 |
| KS | $200.53 | 1 |
| KY | $204.16 | 1 |
| LA | $204.20–$214.65 | 2 |
| MA | $226.83–$249.78 | 2 |
| MD | $222.32–$251.48 | 3 |
| ME | $204.45–$214.66 | 2 |
| MI | $210.57–$225.77 | 2 |
| MN | $215.35 | 1 |
| MO | $201.16–$214.33 | 3 |
| MS | $197.72 | 1 |
| MT | $221.09 | 1 |
| NC | $206.54 | 1 |
| ND | $212.78 | 1 |
| NE | $201.46 | 1 |
| NH | $225.18 | 1 |
| NJ | $238.14–$248.88 | 2 |
| NM | $212.15 | 1 |
| NV | $218.91 | 1 |
| NY | $209.85–$264.13 | 5 |
| OH | $208.88 | 1 |
| OK | $202.80 | 1 |
| OR | $216.38–$234.32 | 2 |
| PA | $208.70–$230.81 | 2 |
| PR | $222.47 | 1 |
| RI | $225.52 | 1 |
| SC | $208.22 | 1 |
| SD | $211.80 | 1 |
| TN | $201.70 | 1 |
| TX | $207.34–$227.88 | 8 |
| UT | $211.17 | 1 |
| VA | $214.58–$251.48 | 2 |
| VI | $222.47 | 1 |
| VT | $212.76 | 1 |
| WA | $226.13–$254.03 | 2 |
| WI | $205.44 | 1 |
| WV | $208.56 | 1 |
| WY | $217.47 | 1 |
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
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 Virginia 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
106
- Locality
- Virginia
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.983
- Malpractice
- 0.706
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.95 | × 1.000 | 1.9500 |
| Practice expense | 4.25 | × 0.983 | 4.1777 |
| Malpractice | 0.42 | × 0.706 | 0.2965 |
| Total RVUs | 6.4243 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Virginia$214.58
Office: (1.95 × 1 + 4.25 × 0.983 + 0.42 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $214.58
Facility: (1.95 × 1 + 1.2 × 0.983 + 0.42 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $114.44
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
How 15121 has changed in Virginia
15121 · Office / nonfacility
$214.58
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $20.78 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $193.80 to $214.58 (10.7%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$193.80changed to$214.58
- 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 1.002 changed to 1.000
- Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$201.23changed to$193.80
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$197.95changed to$201.23
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$208.80changed to$197.95
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.87 changed to 3.80
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
- Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
- Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$217.30changed to$208.80
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.87
- Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$219.48changed to$217.30
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$215.79changed to$219.48
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 3.66 changed to 3.96
- Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
- Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$211.34changed to$215.79
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.66
- Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
- Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$209.72changed to$211.34
- 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.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$209.39changed to$209.72
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
- Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$207.71changed to$209.39
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.55
- Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
- Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$208.16changed to$207.71
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$207.12changed to$208.16
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$203.92changed to$207.12
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$206.55changed to$203.92
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
- Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $206.55
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $214.58 | $114.44 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $214.58 | $114.44 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $214.58 | $114.44 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $214.58 | $114.44 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $193.80 | $123.14 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $193.80 | $123.14 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $193.80 | $123.14 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $193.80 | $123.14 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $201.23 | $126.55 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $201.23 | $126.55 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $201.23 | $126.55 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $201.23 | $126.55 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $197.95 | $124.48 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $208.80 | $131.64 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $208.80 | $131.64 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $208.80 | $131.64 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $208.80 | $131.64 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $217.30 | $136.38 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $217.30 | $136.38 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $217.30 | $136.38 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $217.30 | $136.38 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $219.48 | $137.54 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $219.48 | $137.54 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $219.48 | $137.54 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $219.48 | $137.54 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $215.79 | $138.89 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $215.79 | $138.89 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $215.79 | $138.89 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $215.79 | $138.89 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $211.34 | $137.08 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $211.34 | $137.08 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $211.34 | $137.08 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $211.34 | $137.08 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $209.72 | $135.89 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $209.72 | $135.89 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $209.72 | $135.89 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $209.72 | $135.89 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $209.39 | $135.51 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $209.39 | $135.51 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $209.39 | $135.51 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $209.39 | $135.51 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $207.71 | $133.80 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $207.71 | $133.80 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $207.71 | $133.80 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $207.71 | $133.80 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $208.16 | $134.34 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $208.16 | $134.34 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $207.12 | $133.67 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $207.12 | $133.67 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $203.92 | $131.60 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $203.92 | $131.60 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $203.92 | $131.60 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $203.92 | $131.60 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $206.55 | $129.10 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $206.55 | $129.10 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $206.55 | $129.10 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $206.55 | $129.10 | RVU13AR |
Where the Virginia rate applies
Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbs Valley
- Abingdon
- Accomac
- Adwolf
- Afton
- Alberta
- Aldie
- Allison Gap
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
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