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

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 Tennessee, Medicare pays $152.65 for 15156 in the office and $121.98 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$152.65Office (non-facility)
$121.98Hospital or facility
−9.5%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 Tennessee
  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 Tennessee 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. Tennessee pays $152.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15156 in Tennessee vs other payment areas
  1. Tennessee · this page$152.65
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$174.52+$21.87
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$186.06+$33.41
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$207.21+$54.56
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$200.29+$47.64
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$197.28+$44.63
  7. Alaska · Alaska$206.39+$53.74

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

Every other payment area

15156 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$151.45$121.93
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

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 Tennessee 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

95

Locality
Tennessee
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.909
Malpractice
0.537
Office calculation for 15156 in Tennessee
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.68× 1.0002.6800
Practice expense1.66× 0.9091.5089
Malpractice0.71× 0.5370.3813
Total RVUs4.5702
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Tennessee$152.65

Office: (2.68 × 1 + 1.66 × 0.909 + 0.71 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $152.65

Facility: (2.68 × 1 + 0.65 × 0.909 + 0.71 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $121.98

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, Tennessee
Add-on codes
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesPrimary cultured skin graft code for the initial area at these sites.$778.50
Same family
15157Skin substitute graft, additional 1% body areaAdditional cultured-graft area measured in 1% body-surface-area increments for infants and children.$170.94
Used instead
15150Cultured skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsCultured skin graft code for the trunk, arms, or legs.$691.34
15120Skin graft, special sites, initial areaSplit-thickness autograft code for the same general special-site group.$804.40
15135Dermal autograft, specified sites, initial areaDermal autograft code for the same general special-site group.$832.12

How 15156 has changed in Tennessee

15156 · Office / nonfacility

$152.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $12.37 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $140.28 to $152.65 (8.8%).

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

    $140.28changed to$152.65

    • 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 0.896 changed to 0.909
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $143.47changed to$140.28

    • 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

    $141.13changed to$143.47

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $144.69changed to$141.13

    • 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 0.894 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $147.52changed to$144.69

    • 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 0.892 changed to 0.894
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $148.09changed to$147.52

    • 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

    $151.33changed to$148.09

    • 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 0.897 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $151.88changed to$151.33

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $151.72changed to$151.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$151.72

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$152.65$121.98RVU26D
2026-07-01$152.65$121.98RVU26C
2026-04-01$152.65$121.98RVU26B
2026-01-01$152.65$121.98RVU26A
2025-10-01$140.28$131.59RVU25D
2025-07-01$140.28$131.59RVU25C
2025-04-01$140.28$131.59RVU25B
2025-01-01$140.28$131.59RVU25A
2024-10-01$143.47$134.52RVU24D
2024-07-01$143.47$134.52RVU24C
2024-04-01$143.47$134.52RVU24B
2024-03-09$143.47$134.52RVU24AR
2024-01-01$141.13$132.33RVU24A
2023-10-01$144.69$135.90RVU23D
2023-07-01$144.69$135.90RVU23C
2023-04-01$144.69$135.90RVU23B
2023-01-01$144.69$135.90RVU23A
2022-10-01$147.52$138.88RVU22D
2022-07-01$147.52$138.88RVU22C
2022-04-01$147.52$138.88RVU22B
2022-01-01$147.52$138.88RVU22A
2021-10-01$148.09$139.38RVU21D
2021-07-01$148.09$139.38RVU21C
2021-04-01$148.09$139.38RVU21B
2021-01-01$148.09$139.38RVU21A
2020-10-01$151.33$143.24RVU20D
2020-07-01$151.33$143.24RVU20C
2020-04-01$151.33$143.24RVU20B
2020-01-01$151.33$143.24RVU20A
2019-10-01$151.88$143.12RVU19D
2019-07-01$151.88$143.12RVU19C
2019-04-01$151.88$143.12RVU19B
2019-01-01$151.88$143.12RVU19A
2018-10-01$151.72$142.96RVU18D
2018-07-01$151.72$142.96RVU18C
2018-04-01$151.72$142.96RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 15156 for an earlier date of service

Where the Tennessee rate applies

Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adams
  • Adamsville
  • Alamo
  • Alcoa
  • Alexandria
  • Algood
  • Allardt
  • Altamont

Browse all communities in Tennessee

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 TennesseeGPCI2026.csv, line 95 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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