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CPT code 15151: Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

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 North Carolina, Medicare pays $116.32 for 15151 in the office and $90.45 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$116.32Office (non-facility)
$90.45Hospital or facility
−7.1%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 North Carolina
  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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $116.32. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15151 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$116.32
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$130.26+$13.94
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$138.39+$22.07
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$152.57+$36.25
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$147.55+$31.23
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$146.24+$29.92
  7. Alaska · Alaska$153.14+$36.82

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

Every other payment area

15151 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$112.58$88.32
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

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 North Carolina 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

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 15151 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.95× 1.0001.9500
Practice expense1.30× 0.9331.2129
Malpractice0.50× 0.6390.3195
Total RVUs3.4824
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$116.32

Office: (1.95 × 1 + 1.3 × 0.933 + 0.5 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $116.32

Facility: (1.95 × 1 + 0.47 × 0.933 + 0.5 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $90.45

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, North Carolina
Add-on codes
15150Cultured skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsPrimary code for the initial cultured skin graft area on the trunk, arms, or legs.$708.73
Same family
15152Cultured skin graft, each additional 1% body areaReports additional area by 1% body-surface increments for infants and children.$143.15
15156Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cmAdditional cultured graft area code for the sites covered by 15155.$156.40
Used instead
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesPrimary cultured skin graft code for specified sites such as the face, hands, or feet.$795.70
15100Skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsCovers an initial split-thickness graft area rather than a cultured skin autograft.$863.56
15101Skin graft, additional area, trunk or limbReports additional split-thickness graft area when that graft method is used.$187.94

How 15151 has changed in North Carolina

15151 · Office / nonfacility

$116.32

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.91 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $107.41 to $116.32 (8.3%).

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

    $107.41changed to$116.32

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $109.61changed to$107.41

    • 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

    $107.82changed to$109.61

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $112.64changed to$107.82

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $116.75changed to$112.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $116.53changed to$116.75

    • 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

    $118.46changed to$116.53

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $116.65changed to$118.46

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $117.10changed to$116.65

    • 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

    $117.49changed to$117.10

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $119.22changed to$117.49

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $117.86changed to$119.22

    • 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

    $117.28changed to$117.86

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $114.75changed to$117.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $112.36changed to$114.75

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $112.36

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$116.32$90.45RVU26D
2026-07-01$116.32$90.45RVU26C
2026-04-01$116.32$90.45RVU26B
2026-01-01$116.32$90.45RVU26A
2025-10-01$107.41$98.13RVU25D
2025-07-01$107.41$98.13RVU25C
2025-04-01$107.41$98.13RVU25B
2025-01-01$107.41$98.13RVU25A
2024-10-01$109.61$100.37RVU24D
2024-07-01$109.61$100.37RVU24C
2024-04-01$109.61$100.37RVU24B
2024-03-09$109.61$100.37RVU24AR
2024-01-01$107.82$98.73RVU24A
2023-10-01$112.64$103.84RVU23D
2023-07-01$112.64$103.84RVU23C
2023-04-01$112.64$103.84RVU23B
2023-01-01$112.64$103.84RVU23A
2022-10-01$116.75$107.75RVU22D
2022-07-01$116.75$107.75RVU22C
2022-04-01$116.75$107.75RVU22B
2022-01-01$116.75$107.75RVU22A
2021-10-01$116.53$107.47RVU21D
2021-07-01$116.53$107.47RVU21C
2021-04-01$116.53$107.47RVU21B
2021-01-01$116.53$107.47RVU21A
2020-10-01$118.46$109.73RVU20D
2020-07-01$118.46$109.73RVU20C
2020-04-01$118.46$109.73RVU20B
2020-01-01$118.46$109.73RVU20A
2019-10-01$116.65$107.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$116.65$107.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$116.65$107.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$116.65$107.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$117.10$108.05RVU18D
2018-07-01$117.10$108.05RVU18C
2018-04-01$117.10$108.05RVU18B
2018-01-01$117.10$108.05RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$117.49$108.80RVU17D
2017-07-01$117.49$108.80RVU17C
2017-04-01$117.49$108.80RVU17B
2017-01-01$117.49$108.80RVU17A
2016-10-01$119.22$110.56RVU16D
2016-07-01$119.22$110.56RVU16C
2016-04-01$119.22$110.56RVU16B
2016-01-01$119.22$110.56RVU16A
2015-10-01$117.86$109.17RVU15D
2015-07-01$117.86$109.17RVU15C
2015-04-01$117.28$108.63RVU15B
2015-01-01$117.28$108.63RVU15A
2014-10-01$114.75$106.43RVU14D
2014-07-01$114.75$106.43RVU14C
2014-04-01$114.75$106.43RVU14B
2014-01-01$114.75$106.43RVU14A
2013-10-01$112.36$102.89RVU13D
2013-07-01$112.36$102.89RVU13C
2013-04-01$112.36$102.89RVU13B
2013-01-01$112.36$102.89RVU13AR

Price 15151 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

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 North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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