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CPT code 15156: Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

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.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $186.06 for 15156 in the office and $146.32 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$186.06Office (non-facility)
$146.32Hospital or facility
+10.3%vs the national office rate ($168.67)

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.

We’ll open 15156 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15156 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 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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $186.06. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15156 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$186.06
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$174.52−$11.54
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$207.21+$21.15
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$200.29+$14.23
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$197.28+$11.22
  6. Alaska · Alaska$206.39+$20.33
  7. Alabama · Alabama$151.45−$34.61

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

Every other payment area

15156 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
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

15156 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.

$149.36

$206.39

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

View every state and territory as a table
15156 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$206.391
AL$151.451
AR$149.361
AZ$163.541
CA$164.52–$192.0229
CO$168.101
CT$179.711
DC$186.061
DE$166.061
FL$178.16–$207.213
GA$167.24–$174.602
GU$166.291
HI$166.291
IA$149.661
ID$151.741
IL$177.20–$200.294
IN$152.441
KS$151.591
KY$160.501
LA$161.30–$168.632
MA$168.23–$180.492
MD$168.29–$186.063
ME$155.27–$159.422
MI$166.91–$183.002
MN$153.591
MO$160.41–$166.063
MS$154.781
MT$168.631
NC$156.401
ND$154.591
NE$149.651
NH$167.981
NJ$179.66–$184.802
NM$168.841
NV$164.771
NY$158.86–$205.215
OH$164.041
OK$157.451
OR$161.41–$170.192
PA$162.82–$177.142
PR$168.931
RI$169.641
SC$160.901
SD$152.931
TN$152.651
TX$162.00–$177.928
UT$162.931
VA$160.76–$186.062
VI$168.931
VT$156.411
WA$167.11–$181.402
WI$149.941
WV$171.631
WY$162.511

See 15156 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15156 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.68× 1.0542.8247
Practice expense1.66× 1.1781.9555
Malpractice0.71× 1.1130.7902
Total RVUs5.5704
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$186.06

Office: (2.68 × 1.054 + 1.66 × 1.178 + 0.71 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $186.06

Facility: (2.68 × 1.054 + 0.65 × 1.178 + 0.71 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $146.32

Open 15156 in the RVU calculator

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

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)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 15156

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

Codes related to 15156
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesPrimary cultured skin graft code for the initial area at these sites.$954.46
Same family
15157Skin substitute graft, additional 1% body areaAdditional cultured-graft area measured in 1% body-surface-area increments for infants and children.$208.85
Used instead
15150Cultured skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsCultured skin graft code for the trunk, arms, or legs.$856.18
15120Skin graft, special sites, initial areaSplit-thickness autograft code for the same general special-site group.$985.15
15135Dermal autograft, specified sites, initial areaDermal autograft code for the same general special-site group.$1,013.94

How 15156 has changed in Washington, DC area

15156 · Office / nonfacility

$186.06

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $13.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $172.51 to $186.06 (7.9%).

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

    $172.51changed to$186.06

    • 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
    • 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

    $176.34changed to$172.51

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.34

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $173.46changed to$176.34

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $180.67changed to$173.46

    • 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
    • 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

    $187.69changed to$180.67

    • 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
    • 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

    $187.91changed to$187.69

    • 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.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $188.71changed to$187.91

    • 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
    • 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

    $187.41changed to$188.71

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65
    • 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

    $187.21changed to$187.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $188.15changed to$187.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.40 changed to 1.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.53 changed to 0.66
    • 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

    $182.24changed to$188.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.22 changed to 1.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.57 changed to 0.53
    • 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

    $188.80changed to$182.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.25 changed to 1.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.57

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $187.86changed to$188.80

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $181.87changed to$187.86

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.67
    • 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

    $177.08changed to$181.87

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.38 changed to 1.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.56
    • 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: $177.08

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$186.06$146.32RVU26D
2026-07-01$186.06$146.32RVU26C
2026-04-01$186.06$146.32RVU26B
2026-01-01$186.06$146.32RVU26A
2025-10-01$172.51$160.95RVU25D
2025-07-01$172.51$160.95RVU25C
2025-04-01$172.51$160.95RVU25B
2025-01-01$172.51$160.95RVU25A
2024-10-01$176.34$164.44RVU24D
2024-07-01$176.34$164.44RVU24C
2024-04-01$176.34$164.44RVU24B
2024-03-09$176.34$164.44RVU24AR
2024-01-01$173.46$161.75RVU24A
2023-10-01$180.67$168.74RVU23D
2023-07-01$180.67$168.74RVU23C
2023-04-01$180.67$168.74RVU23B
2023-01-01$180.67$168.74RVU23A
2022-10-01$187.69$175.71RVU22D
2022-07-01$187.69$175.71RVU22C
2022-04-01$187.69$175.71RVU22B
2022-01-01$187.69$175.71RVU22A
2021-10-01$187.91$175.83RVU21D
2021-07-01$187.91$175.83RVU21C
2021-04-01$187.91$175.83RVU21B
2021-01-01$187.91$175.83RVU21A
2020-10-01$188.71$177.69RVU20D
2020-07-01$188.71$177.69RVU20C
2020-04-01$188.71$177.69RVU20B
2020-01-01$188.71$177.69RVU20A
2019-10-01$187.41$175.69RVU19D
2019-07-01$187.41$175.69RVU19C
2019-04-01$187.41$175.69RVU19B
2019-01-01$187.41$175.69RVU19A
2018-10-01$187.21$175.49RVU18D
2018-07-01$187.21$175.49RVU18C
2018-04-01$187.21$175.49RVU18B
2018-01-01$187.21$175.49RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$188.15$177.77RVU17D
2017-07-01$188.15$177.77RVU17C
2017-04-01$188.15$177.77RVU17B
2017-01-01$188.15$177.77RVU17A
2016-10-01$182.24$172.32RVU16D
2016-07-01$182.24$172.32RVU16C
2016-04-01$182.24$172.32RVU16B
2016-01-01$182.24$172.32RVU16A
2015-10-01$188.80$177.97RVU15D
2015-07-01$188.80$177.97RVU15C
2015-04-01$187.86$177.09RVU15B
2015-01-01$187.86$177.09RVU15A
2014-10-01$181.87$170.67RVU14D
2014-07-01$181.87$170.67RVU14C
2014-04-01$181.87$170.67RVU14B
2014-01-01$181.87$170.67RVU14A
2013-10-01$177.08$165.26RVU13D
2013-07-01$177.08$165.26RVU13C
2013-04-01$177.08$165.26RVU13B
2013-01-01$177.08$165.26RVU13AR

Price 15156 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

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
RVUs for 15156PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,502 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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