CPT code 15156: Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Reports each additional 100 square centimeters of cultured autologous skin graft applied to wounds on specified special sites, with code 15155 as the primary procedure.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $151.45 for 15156 in the office and $121.93 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15156 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 15156 covers
This add-on covers application of additional cultured autologous skin graft to wounds on the face, scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Burn and reconstructive surgeons commonly use cultured skin grafting to cover extensive burns or other wounds after excision, when the patient’s own skin cells have been expanded for grafting. The code represents additional wound area beyond the initial area reported with the primary service.
Report 15156 with 15155 for each additional 100 sq cm of qualifying wound area. For infants and children when area is measured by body surface area, code 15157 represents each additional 1%; do not use 15156 for that increment. Documentation should identify the graft as cultured autologous tissue, the treated anatomic sites, and the total wound surface area supporting the additional units. CMS classifies 15156 as an add-on code and pays it 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 Alabama compares for 15156
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15156 runs from $149.36 in Arkansas to $207.21 in Miami, FL. Alabama pays $151.45. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$151.45
- Los Angeles, CA · California$174.52+$23.07
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$186.06+$34.61
- Miami, FL · Florida$207.21+$55.76
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$200.29+$48.84
- Manhattan, NY · New York$197.28+$45.83
- Alaska · Alaska$206.39+$54.94
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $149.36 | $120.38 |
| ArizonaArizona | $163.54 | $130.85 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $166.43 | $129.45 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $164.63 | $127.66 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $180.28 | $135.82 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $172.33 | $132.46 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $172.12 | $135.15 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $169.93 | $130.70 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $169.26 | $130.16 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $171.37 | $131.02 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $187.08 | $139.52 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $186.28 | $138.71 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $192.02 | $143.38 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $188.73 | $140.08 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $166.90 | $128.48 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $171.47 | $130.48 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $169.38 | $130.05 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $173.00 | $131.57 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $179.12 | $134.65 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $164.52 | $127.54 |
| ColoradoColorado | $168.10 | $132.21 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $179.71 | $143.38 |
| DelawareDelaware | $166.06 | $132.73 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $188.56 | $154.38 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $178.16 | $145.91 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $174.60 | $140.32 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $167.24 | $137.15 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $166.29 | $127.93 |
| IowaIowa | $149.66 | $118.79 |
| IdahoIdaho | $151.74 | $120.71 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $188.29 | $157.25 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $177.20 | $146.40 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $189.11 | $154.46 |
| IndianaIndiana | $152.44 | $121.17 |
| KansasKansas | $151.59 | $121.09 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $160.50 | $130.51 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $168.63 | $136.88 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $161.30 | $131.45 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $180.49 | $140.21 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $168.23 | $132.71 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $179.77 | $143.58 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $168.29 | $134.15 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $155.27 | $124.24 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $159.42 | $125.99 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $183.00 | $150.45 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $166.91 | $136.11 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $153.59 | $118.87 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $164.75 | $133.07 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $166.06 | $133.94 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $160.41 | $131.33 |
| MississippiMississippi | $154.78 | $125.73 |
| MontanaMontana | $168.63 | $134.89 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $156.40 | $124.92 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $154.59 | $120.85 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $149.65 | $118.52 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $167.98 | $132.87 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $184.80 | $145.67 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $179.66 | $142.82 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $168.84 | $137.90 |
| NevadaNevada | $164.77 | $131.00 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $205.21 | $165.10 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $182.95 | $146.01 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $194.98 | $155.10 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $158.86 | $126.81 |
| OhioOhio | $164.04 | $133.24 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $157.45 | $127.33 |
| Portland, OROregon | $170.19 | $132.71 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $161.41 | $127.81 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $177.14 | $142.02 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $162.82 | $131.86 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $168.93 | $134.82 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $169.64 | $134.80 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $160.90 | $129.73 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $152.93 | $119.19 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $152.65 | $121.98 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $169.37 | $133.67 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $162.00 | $131.30 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $163.67 | $130.24 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $165.89 | $132.29 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $165.64 | $132.38 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $164.92 | $131.42 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $177.92 | $144.42 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $163.55 | $131.53 |
| UtahUtah | $162.93 | $131.22 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $160.76 | $127.60 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $168.93 | $134.82 |
| VermontVermont | $156.41 | $123.01 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $167.11 | $131.59 |
| King County, WAWashington | $181.40 | $140.00 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $149.94 | $117.62 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $171.63 | $142.32 |
| WyomingWyoming | $162.51 | $128.77 |
15156 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.
$149.36
$206.39
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 | $206.39 | 1 |
| AL | $151.45 | 1 |
| AR | $149.36 | 1 |
| AZ | $163.54 | 1 |
| CA | $164.52–$192.02 | 29 |
| CO | $168.10 | 1 |
| CT | $179.71 | 1 |
| DC | $186.06 | 1 |
| DE | $166.06 | 1 |
| FL | $178.16–$207.21 | 3 |
| GA | $167.24–$174.60 | 2 |
| GU | $166.29 | 1 |
| HI | $166.29 | 1 |
| IA | $149.66 | 1 |
| ID | $151.74 | 1 |
| IL | $177.20–$200.29 | 4 |
| IN | $152.44 | 1 |
| KS | $151.59 | 1 |
| KY | $160.50 | 1 |
| LA | $161.30–$168.63 | 2 |
| MA | $168.23–$180.49 | 2 |
| MD | $168.29–$186.06 | 3 |
| ME | $155.27–$159.42 | 2 |
| MI | $166.91–$183.00 | 2 |
| MN | $153.59 | 1 |
| MO | $160.41–$166.06 | 3 |
| MS | $154.78 | 1 |
| MT | $168.63 | 1 |
| NC | $156.40 | 1 |
| ND | $154.59 | 1 |
| NE | $149.65 | 1 |
| NH | $167.98 | 1 |
| NJ | $179.66–$184.80 | 2 |
| NM | $168.84 | 1 |
| NV | $164.77 | 1 |
| NY | $158.86–$205.21 | 5 |
| OH | $164.04 | 1 |
| OK | $157.45 | 1 |
| OR | $161.41–$170.19 | 2 |
| PA | $162.82–$177.14 | 2 |
| PR | $168.93 | 1 |
| RI | $169.64 | 1 |
| SC | $160.90 | 1 |
| SD | $152.93 | 1 |
| TN | $152.65 | 1 |
| TX | $162.00–$177.92 | 8 |
| UT | $162.93 | 1 |
| VA | $160.76–$186.06 | 2 |
| VI | $168.93 | 1 |
| VT | $156.41 | 1 |
| WA | $167.11–$181.40 | 2 |
| WI | $149.94 | 1 |
| WV | $171.63 | 1 |
| WY | $162.51 | 1 |
How the 15156 rate is calculated
Each of 15156’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 · 15156
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.68
2.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.66
1.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.71
0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.0500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$168.67
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,502
- Code
- 15156
- Physician work
- 2.68
- Practice expense
- 1.66
- Malpractice
- 0.71
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.68 | × 1.000 | 2.6800 |
| Practice expense | 1.66 | × 0.875 | 1.4525 |
| Malpractice | 0.71 | × 0.566 | 0.4019 |
| Total RVUs | 4.5344 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$151.45
Office: (2.68 × 1 + 1.66 × 0.875 + 0.71 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $151.45
Facility: (2.68 × 1 + 0.65 × 0.875 + 0.71 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $121.93
Payment rules and modifiers for 15156
The CMS indicators that decide how 15156 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 15156
Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cm
| 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 15156 has changed in Alabama
15156 · Office / nonfacility
$151.45
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $11.63 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $139.82 to $151.45 (8.3%).
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
$139.82changed to$151.45
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.75 changed to 2.68
- Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.66
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$143.02changed to$139.82
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.34
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$140.69changed to$143.02
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$149.36changed to$140.69
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.31
- Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.71
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$157.73changed to$149.36
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.30
- Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.69
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$158.09changed to$157.73
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.31
- Malpractice RVU 0.68 changed to 0.70
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$155.62changed to$158.09
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.24 changed to 1.30
- Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.68
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$150.58changed to$155.62
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$150.42changed to$150.58
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$150.42
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $151.45 | $121.93 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $151.45 | $121.93 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $151.45 | $121.93 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $151.45 | $121.93 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $139.82 | $131.39 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $139.82 | $131.39 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $139.82 | $131.39 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $139.82 | $131.39 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $143.02 | $134.35 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $143.02 | $134.35 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $143.02 | $134.35 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $143.02 | $134.35 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $140.69 | $132.15 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $149.36 | $140.73 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $149.36 | $140.73 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $149.36 | $140.73 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $149.36 | $140.73 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $157.73 | $149.13 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $157.73 | $149.13 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $157.73 | $149.13 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $157.73 | $149.13 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $158.09 | $149.41 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $158.09 | $149.41 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $158.09 | $149.41 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $158.09 | $149.41 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $155.62 | $147.59 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $155.62 | $147.59 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $155.62 | $147.59 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $155.62 | $147.59 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $150.58 | $141.92 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $150.58 | $141.92 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $150.58 | $141.92 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $150.58 | $141.92 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $150.42 | $141.77 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $150.42 | $141.77 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $150.42 | $141.77 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
15156 billing questions
When should 15156 be reported instead of 15155?
Use 15155 for the initial area and 15156 for each additional 100 sq cm at the specified sites. The add-on requires 15155 as the primary procedure.
When is 15157 used instead of 15156?
For infants and children whose wound area is reported in body-surface-area increments, 15157 represents each additional 1%. Code 15156 represents each additional 100 sq cm.
Can 15156 be billed by itself?
No. It is an add-on code reported with 15155, and CMS pays it within the primary procedure’s global period.
What area documentation supports additional units?
Document the qualifying treated sites and the total wound surface area covered with cultured autologous graft. The additional units must be supported by area beyond the initial amount reported with 15155.
How does 15156 differ from split-thickness graft code 15120?
15156 is for additional area treated with cultured autologous skin graft. Code 15120 describes a split-thickness autograft for the specified sites, rather than cultured graft application.
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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