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CPT code 15151: Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports additional trunk, arm, or leg area covered with cultured autologous skin beyond the initial area reported with the primary graft code.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $138.39 for 15151 in the office and $105.73 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$138.39Office (non-facility)
$105.73Hospital or facility
+10.5%vs the national office rate ($125.25)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15151 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 15151 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15151 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 15151 covers

Code 15151 captures additional treated area when cultured autologous skin is used to cover a burn or another large skin defect on the trunk, arms, or legs. The graft is prepared by expanding cells from the patient’s own skin sample and then applying the cultured tissue to the wound, typically in burn or reconstructive surgery by a burn or plastic surgeon.

Report 15151 only with 15150, the primary code for the initial treated area. Each unit represents an additional 100 sq cm or part thereof; for infants and children, the corresponding additional-area measure is each 1% of body surface area and is reported with 15152. Document the graft type, body site, total area treated, and the additional area supporting the units billed. Medicare pays this add-on within the primary 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 15151

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15151 runs from $111.03 in Arkansas to $153.14 in Alaska. Washington, DC area pays $138.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15151 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$138.39
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$130.26−$8.13
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$152.57+$14.18
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$147.55+$9.16
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$146.24+$7.85
  6. Alaska · Alaska$153.14+$14.75
  7. Alabama · Alabama$112.58−$25.81

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

Every other payment area

15151 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$111.03$87.22
ArizonaArizona$121.50$94.64
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$124.13$93.75
Chico, CACalifornia$122.78$92.40
El Centro, CACalifornia$122.86$92.48
Fresno, CACalifornia$122.78$92.40
Hanford, CACalifornia$122.78$92.40
Madera, CACalifornia$122.78$92.40

15151 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.

$111.03

$153.14

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

View every state and territory as a table
15151 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$153.141
AL$112.581
AR$111.031
AZ$121.501
CA$122.78–$143.8629
CO$125.161
CT$133.411
DC$138.391
DE$123.371
FL$131.74–$152.573
GA$123.77–$129.502
GU$124.171
HI$124.171
IA$111.491
ID$112.981
IL$130.88–$147.554
IN$113.501
KS$112.801
KY$119.011
LA$119.56–$124.962
MA$125.21–$134.512
MD$125.06–$138.393
ME$115.47–$118.702
MI$123.63–$135.192
MN$114.761
MO$118.83–$123.203
MS$114.861
MT$125.221
NC$116.321
ND$115.331
NE$111.521
NH$124.951
NJ$133.47–$137.442
NM$125.011
NV$122.511
NY$118.12–$151.945
OH$121.611
OK$116.881
OR$120.12–$126.842
PA$120.77–$131.432
PR$125.481
RI$126.121
SC$119.451
SD$114.161
TN$113.571
TX$120.16–$131.758
UT$120.941
VA$119.61–$138.392
VI$125.481
VT$116.571
WA$124.41–$135.312
WI$111.871
WV$126.761
WY$120.911

See 15151 in every payment locality

How the 15151 rate is calculated

Each of 15151’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 · 15151

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.95

1.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.30

1.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.50

0.50 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.7500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$125.25

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

1,499

Code
15151
Physician work
1.95
Practice expense
1.30
Malpractice
0.50

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15151 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.95× 1.0542.0553
Practice expense1.30× 1.1781.5314
Malpractice0.50× 1.1130.5565
Total RVUs4.1432
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$138.39

Office: (1.95 × 1.054 + 1.3 × 1.178 + 0.5 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $138.39

Facility: (1.95 × 1.054 + 0.47 × 1.178 + 0.5 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $105.73

Open 15151 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15151

The CMS indicators that decide how 15151 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15151

Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cm

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)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 15151

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

Codes related to 15151
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15150Cultured skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsPrimary code for the initial cultured skin graft area on the trunk, arms, or legs.$856.18
Same family
15152Cultured skin graft, each additional 1% body areaReports additional area by 1% body-surface increments for infants and children.$170.28
15156Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cmAdditional cultured graft area code for the sites covered by 15155.$186.06
Used instead
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesPrimary cultured skin graft code for specified sites such as the face, hands, or feet.$954.46
15100Skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsCovers an initial split-thickness graft area rather than a cultured skin autograft.$1,042.63
15101Skin graft, additional area, trunk or limbReports additional split-thickness graft area when that graft method is used.$229.47

How 15151 has changed in Washington, DC area

15151 · Office / nonfacility

$138.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.87 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $128.52 to $138.39 (7.7%).

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

    $128.52changed to$138.39

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.00 changed to 1.95
    • Practice expense RVU 1.06 changed to 1.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.50
    • 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

    $131.07changed to$128.52

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $128.93changed to$131.07

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $134.81changed to$128.93

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
    • 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

    $139.84changed to$134.81

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.02
    • 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

    $139.22changed to$139.84

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.51

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $141.48changed to$139.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48
    • 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

    $139.26changed to$141.48

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.49
    • 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

    $139.99changed to$139.26

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 0.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $139.38changed to$139.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.49
    • 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

    $141.64changed to$139.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.05 changed to 1.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.43
    • 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

    $140.04changed to$141.64

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.46

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $139.35changed to$140.04

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $134.69changed to$139.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.48
    • 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

    $131.96changed to$134.69

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.40
    • 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: $131.96

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$138.39$105.73RVU26D
2026-07-01$138.39$105.73RVU26C
2026-04-01$138.39$105.73RVU26B
2026-01-01$138.39$105.73RVU26A
2025-10-01$128.52$116.57RVU25D
2025-07-01$128.52$116.57RVU25C
2025-04-01$128.52$116.57RVU25B
2025-01-01$128.52$116.57RVU25A
2024-10-01$131.07$119.16RVU24D
2024-07-01$131.07$119.16RVU24C
2024-04-01$131.07$119.16RVU24B
2024-03-09$131.07$119.16RVU24AR
2024-01-01$128.93$117.22RVU24A
2023-10-01$134.81$123.29RVU23D
2023-07-01$134.81$123.29RVU23C
2023-04-01$134.81$123.29RVU23B
2023-01-01$134.81$123.29RVU23A
2022-10-01$139.84$127.87RVU22D
2022-07-01$139.84$127.87RVU22C
2022-04-01$139.84$127.87RVU22B
2022-01-01$139.84$127.87RVU22A
2021-10-01$139.22$127.14RVU21D
2021-07-01$139.22$127.14RVU21C
2021-04-01$139.22$127.14RVU21B
2021-01-01$139.22$127.14RVU21A
2020-10-01$141.48$130.03RVU20D
2020-07-01$141.48$130.03RVU20C
2020-04-01$141.48$130.03RVU20B
2020-01-01$141.48$130.03RVU20A
2019-10-01$139.26$127.97RVU19D
2019-07-01$139.26$127.97RVU19C
2019-04-01$139.26$127.97RVU19B
2019-01-01$139.26$127.97RVU19A
2018-10-01$139.99$128.28RVU18D
2018-07-01$139.99$128.28RVU18C
2018-04-01$139.99$128.28RVU18B
2018-01-01$139.99$128.28RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$139.38$128.14RVU17D
2017-07-01$139.38$128.14RVU17C
2017-04-01$139.38$128.14RVU17B
2017-01-01$139.38$128.14RVU17A
2016-10-01$141.64$130.43RVU16D
2016-07-01$141.64$130.43RVU16C
2016-04-01$141.64$130.43RVU16B
2016-01-01$141.64$130.43RVU16A
2015-10-01$140.04$128.79RVU15D
2015-07-01$140.04$128.79RVU15C
2015-04-01$139.35$128.14RVU15B
2015-01-01$139.35$128.14RVU15A
2014-10-01$134.69$123.93RVU14D
2014-07-01$134.69$123.93RVU14C
2014-04-01$134.69$123.93RVU14B
2014-01-01$134.69$123.93RVU14A
2013-10-01$131.96$119.73RVU13D
2013-07-01$131.96$119.73RVU13C
2013-04-01$131.96$119.73RVU13B
2013-01-01$131.96$119.73RVU13AR

Price 15151 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

15151 billing questions

Can 15151 be reported without 15150?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with 15150 for the initial cultured skin graft area on the trunk, arms, or legs.

How is the number of units determined?

Report one unit for each additional 100 sq cm or part thereof beyond the initial area. For infants and children measured by body surface area, use 15152 for each additional 1% instead.

When should 15152 be used instead?

Use 15152 for additional cultured skin graft area on the trunk, arms, or legs when the area is measured in 1% increments of an infant’s or child’s body surface area. Code 15151 represents additional 100 sq cm increments.

Does 15151 have its own global period?

Medicare pays this add-on within the global period of the primary procedure, 15150.

What documentation supports the units?

Record the cultured autologous graft, treated body site, total area covered, and the additional area beyond the initial area. The measured area should support each unit billed.

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 15151PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,499 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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