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CPT code 15135: Dermal autograft, specified sites, initial area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports initial dermal autograft coverage of specified anatomic sites, using the grafted area to select the initial service for the patient.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality81 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,013.94 for 15135 in the office and $745.99 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,013.94Office (non-facility)
$745.99Hospital or facility
+12.5%vs the national office rate ($901.49)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15135 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 15135 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15135 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 15135 covers

Code 15135 reports placement of a dermal autograft on the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, or feet. The graft comes from the patient and is used to cover a wound or defect. Plastic surgeons and burn surgeons commonly perform the procedure in an operating room for reconstructive coverage after burns, trauma, or excision.

Select this initial-area code when the documented dermal autograft at these sites reaches the first 100 sq cm, or the applicable 1% body-surface-area threshold for an infant or child. Record the graft type, recipient site, and treated area; report additional area with 15136. The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care through day 90. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 15135

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15135 runs from $806.51 in Arkansas to $1,132.02 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $1,013.94. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15135 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$1,013.94
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$987.57−$26.37
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$1,003.75−$10.19
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$976.09−$37.85
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,035.14+$21.20
  6. Alaska · Alaska$1,088.64+$74.70
  7. Alabama · Alabama$817.07−$196.87

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

Every other payment area

15135 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$806.51$611.12
ArizonaArizona$878.60$658.19
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$934.20$684.90
Chico, CACalifornia$929.55$680.26
El Centro, CACalifornia$929.82$680.53
Fresno, CACalifornia$929.55$680.26
Hanford, CACalifornia$929.55$680.26
Madera, CACalifornia$929.55$680.26

15135 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.

$806.51

$1,088.64

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

View every state and territory as a table
15135 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,088.641
AL$817.071
AR$806.511
AZ$878.601
CA$929.55–$1,132.0229
CO$925.301
CT$957.591
DC$1,013.941
DE$891.991
FL$907.04–$1,003.753
GA$859.04–$921.192
GU$945.801
HI$945.801
IA$827.531
ID$834.061
IL$889.25–$976.094
IN$838.181
KS$827.911
KY$842.681
LA$843.04–$879.972
MA$922.22–$1,005.102
MD$906.54–$1,013.943
ME$842.07–$877.252
MI$865.91–$921.282
MN$877.801
MO$832.66–$878.143
MS$819.531
MT$901.381
NC$849.341
ND$869.551
NE$830.421
NH$914.801
NJ$966.03–$1,005.952
NM$871.741
NV$893.001
NY$861.09–$1,062.915
OH$859.411
OK$837.211
OR$883.56–$947.712
PA$858.46–$938.372
PR$906.061
RI$918.631
SC$856.291
SD$865.781
TN$832.121
TX$853.69–$924.428
UT$866.691
VA$877.37–$1,013.942
VI$906.061
VT$870.041
WA$919.20–$1,020.532
WI$843.751
WV$860.651
WY$887.511

See 15135 in every payment locality

How the 15135 rate is calculated

Each of 15135’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 · 15135

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work10.75

10.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense14.63

14.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.61

1.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

26.9900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$901.49

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

1,496

Code
15135
Physician work
10.75
Practice expense
14.63
Malpractice
1.61

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15135 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work10.75× 1.05411.3305
Practice expense14.63× 1.17817.2341
Malpractice1.61× 1.1131.7919
Total RVUs30.3566
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$1013.94

Office: (10.75 × 1.054 + 14.63 × 1.178 + 1.61 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1013.94

Facility: (10.75 × 1.054 + 7.82 × 1.178 + 1.61 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $745.99

Open 15135 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15135

15135 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 15135

Dermal autograft, specified 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 · 15135

Dermal autograft, specified 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

15135 without 51 · national office

$901.49

Dermal autograft, specified sites, initial area

15135-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$450.75

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 15135

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

Codes related to 15135
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15136Dermal autograft, each additional areaReports qualifying additional grafted area after the initial area represented by 15135.$113.00
Same family
15130Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, or legsInitial-area dermal autograft code for the trunk, arms, or legs.$875.17
Used instead
15120Skin graft, special sites, initial areaSplit-thickness autograft for the same specified site group.$985.15
15115Epidermal graft, special sites, first 100 sq cmEpidermal autograft option for the same specified site group.$966.61
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesTissue-cultured skin autograft option for the specified site group.$954.46

How 15135 has changed in Washington, DC area

15135 · Office / nonfacility

$1013.94

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $51.57 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $962.37 to $1013.94 (5.4%).

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

    $962.37changed to$1013.94

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 11.03 changed to 10.75
    • Practice expense RVU 13.66 changed to 14.63
    • Malpractice RVU 1.55 changed to 1.61
    • 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

    $989.55changed to$962.37

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 13.62 changed to 13.66
    • Malpractice RVU 1.57 changed to 1.55

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $973.40changed to$989.55

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1025.91changed to$973.40

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 13.66 changed to 13.62
    • Malpractice RVU 1.66 changed to 1.57
    • 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

    $1047.13changed to$1025.91

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 13.40 changed to 13.66
    • Malpractice RVU 1.60 changed to 1.66
    • 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

    $1043.55changed to$1047.13

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 13.21 changed to 13.40
    • Malpractice RVU 1.51 changed to 1.60

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1036.82changed to$1043.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 12.39 changed to 13.21
    • Malpractice RVU 1.59 changed to 1.51
    • 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

    $1004.38changed to$1036.82

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 11.93 changed to 12.39
    • Malpractice RVU 1.56 changed to 1.59
    • 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

    $988.96changed to$1004.38

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 11.60 changed to 11.93

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $976.73changed to$988.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 11.40 changed to 11.60
    • Malpractice RVU 1.51 changed to 1.56
    • 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

    $981.45changed to$976.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 11.46 changed to 11.40
    • Malpractice RVU 1.57 changed to 1.51
    • 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

    $980.93changed to$981.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 11.43 changed to 11.46
    • Malpractice RVU 1.51 changed to 1.57

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $976.05changed to$980.93

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $985.18changed to$976.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 11.44 changed to 11.43
    • Malpractice RVU 1.80 changed to 1.51
    • 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

    $1008.86changed to$985.18

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 13.32 changed to 11.44
    • Malpractice RVU 1.88 changed to 1.80
    • 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: $1008.86

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,013.94$745.99RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,013.94$745.99RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,013.94$745.99RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,013.94$745.99RVU26A
2025-10-01$962.37$833.20RVU25D
2025-07-01$962.37$833.20RVU25C
2025-04-01$962.37$833.20RVU25B
2025-01-01$962.37$833.20RVU25A
2024-10-01$989.55$851.08RVU24D
2024-07-01$989.55$851.08RVU24C
2024-04-01$989.55$851.08RVU24B
2024-03-09$989.55$851.08RVU24AR
2024-01-01$973.40$837.19RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,025.91$874.11RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,025.91$874.11RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,025.91$874.11RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,025.91$874.11RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,047.13$886.73RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,047.13$886.73RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,047.13$886.73RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,047.13$886.73RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,043.55$881.82RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,043.55$881.82RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,043.55$881.82RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,043.55$881.82RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,036.82$892.73RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,036.82$892.73RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,036.82$892.73RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,036.82$892.73RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,004.38$871.49RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,004.38$871.49RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,004.38$871.49RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,004.38$871.49RVU19A
2018-10-01$988.96$863.16RVU18D
2018-07-01$988.96$863.16RVU18C
2018-04-01$988.96$863.16RVU18B
2018-01-01$988.96$863.16RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$976.73$852.62RVU17D
2017-07-01$976.73$852.62RVU17C
2017-04-01$976.73$852.62RVU17B
2017-01-01$976.73$852.62RVU17A
2016-10-01$981.45$856.76RVU16D
2016-07-01$981.45$856.76RVU16C
2016-04-01$981.45$856.76RVU16B
2016-01-01$981.45$856.76RVU16A
2015-10-01$980.93$856.23RVU15D
2015-07-01$980.93$856.23RVU15C
2015-04-01$976.05$851.97RVU15B
2015-01-01$976.05$851.97RVU15A
2014-10-01$985.18$862.03RVU14D
2014-07-01$985.18$862.03RVU14C
2014-04-01$985.18$862.03RVU14B
2014-01-01$985.18$862.03RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,008.86$873.54RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,008.86$873.54RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,008.86$873.54RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,008.86$873.54RVU13AR

Price 15135 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

15135 billing questions

How is 15135 distinguished from 15130?

15135 is for dermal autografting at the specified sites, such as the face, hands, or feet. Code 15130 is the initial-area dermal autograft code for the trunk, arms, or legs.

When is 15136 reported with 15135?

Report 15135 for the initial area and 15136 for qualifying additional area at the specified sites. Documentation should support the total grafted area and the additional area.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral grafting?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 15135, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

Does the global period include postoperative visits?

Yes. The 90-day global includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 15135. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What supports reporting 15135 rather than a split-thickness graft code?

Document that the graft is a dermal autograft, the recipient site, and the grafted area. A split-thickness autograft is reported with a different code.

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 15135PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,496 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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