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CPT code 15157: Skin substitute graft, additional 1% body area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports each additional 1% of body surface area treated with a cultured allogeneic skin substitute graft on specified sites in an infant or child.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $175.18 for 15157 in the office and $136.85 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$175.18Office (non-facility)
$136.85Hospital or facility
−7.3%vs the national office rate ($189.05)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15157 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 15157 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 15157 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 15157 covers

This add-on represents an additional 1% of an infant’s or child’s body surface area treated with a tissue-cultured allogeneic skin substitute graft on the face, scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. A burn or reconstructive surgeon may apply the graft during operative wound coverage, including treatment of extensive burns or other wounds requiring skin replacement. The site and the patient’s age and body size affect how the treated area is measured within this code family.

Report 15157 with the applicable primary graft code, such as 15155, when the treated area extends beyond the initial area and the additional area is measured in 1% body-surface increments. The operative record should support the treated site, graft application, and total area covered, with enough detail to distinguish each additional increment. CMS classifies this as an add-on code: it is billed only with a primary procedure and paid within that 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 15157

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15157 runs from $167.12 in Arkansas to $232.05 in Miami, FL. North Carolina pays $175.18. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15157 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$175.18
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$196.05+$20.87
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$208.85+$33.67
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$232.05+$56.87
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$224.23+$49.05
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$221.27+$46.09
  7. Alaska · Alaska$230.35+$55.17

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

Every other payment area

15157 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$169.50$133.55
ArkansasArkansas$167.12$131.82
ArizonaArizona$183.24$143.43
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$186.81$141.78
Chico, CACalifornia$184.69$139.66
El Centro, CACalifornia$184.82$139.79
Fresno, CACalifornia$184.69$139.66
Hanford, CACalifornia$184.69$139.66

15157 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.

$167.12

$230.35

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

View every state and territory as a table
15157 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$230.351
AL$169.501
AR$167.121
AZ$183.241
CA$184.69–$216.2129
CO$188.591
CT$201.541
DC$208.851
DE$186.101
FL$199.47–$232.053
GA$187.12–$195.682
GU$186.821
HI$186.821
IA$167.631
ID$169.961
IL$198.27–$224.234
IN$170.761
KS$169.741
KY$179.611
LA$180.49–$188.812
MA$188.69–$202.732
MD$188.64–$208.853
ME$173.89–$178.732
MI$186.82–$204.882
MN$172.351
MO$179.42–$185.993
MS$173.161
MT$189.001
NC$175.181
ND$173.381
NE$167.651
NH$188.411
NJ$201.48–$207.382
NM$188.971
NV$184.711
NY$177.97–$230.175
OH$183.621
OK$176.231
OR$180.95–$191.052
PA$182.28–$198.562
PR$189.371
RI$190.201
SC$180.171
SD$171.531
TN$170.941
TX$181.34–$199.308
UT$182.471
VA$180.19–$208.852
VI$189.371
VT$175.371
WA$187.45–$203.822
WI$168.071
WV$191.931
WY$182.191

See 15157 in every payment locality

How the 15157 rate is calculated

Each of 15157’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 · 15157

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.93

2.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.94

1.94 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.79

0.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.6600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$189.05

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

1,503

Code
15157
Physician work
2.93
Practice expense
1.94
Malpractice
0.79

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 15157 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.93× 1.0002.9300
Practice expense1.94× 0.9331.8100
Malpractice0.79× 0.6390.5048
Total RVUs5.2448
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$175.18

Office: (2.93 × 1 + 1.94 × 0.933 + 0.79 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $175.18

Facility: (2.93 × 1 + 0.71 × 0.933 + 0.79 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $136.85

Open 15157 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15157

The CMS indicators that decide how 15157 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15157

Skin substitute graft, additional 1% body area

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 15157

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

Codes related to 15157
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Primary code
15155Cultured allograft, face and other special sitesInitial graft code for the specified sites; 15157 reports each additional 1% increment.$795.70
Same family
15156Cultured skin graft, additional 100 sq cmSibling add-on for additional graft area measured in 100-square-centimeter increments.$156.40
15152Cultured skin graft, each additional 1% body areaCorresponding additional 1% body-area code for the trunk, arms, or legs.$143.15
15150Cultured skin graft, trunk, arms, or legsInitial cultured allogeneic graft code for the trunk, arms, or legs.$708.73

How 15157 has changed in North Carolina

15157 · Office / nonfacility

$175.18

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $14.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $160.63 to $175.18 (9.1%).

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

    $160.63changed to$175.18

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.00 changed to 2.93
    • Practice expense RVU 1.57 changed to 1.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.79
    • 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

    $164.07changed to$160.63

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.57

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $161.39changed to$164.07

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $168.58changed to$161.39

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 0.75 changed to 0.77
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $174.17changed to$168.58

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.52 changed to 1.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.76 changed to 0.75
    • 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

    $175.05changed to$174.17

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.76

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $177.21changed to$175.05

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.46 changed to 1.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.74
    • 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

    $174.80changed to$177.21

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.72 changed to 0.73
    • 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

    $175.20changed to$174.80

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.46 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.72

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $180.23changed to$175.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.81 changed to 1.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.73
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $171.24changed to$180.23

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.57 changed to 1.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $155.64changed to$171.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.25 changed to 1.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $154.87changed to$155.64

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $161.23changed to$154.87

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22
    • 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

    $177.60changed to$161.23

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.23 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • 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: $177.60

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$175.18$136.85RVU26D
2026-07-01$175.18$136.85RVU26C
2026-04-01$175.18$136.85RVU26B
2026-01-01$175.18$136.85RVU26A
2025-10-01$160.63$147.45RVU25D
2025-07-01$160.63$147.45RVU25C
2025-04-01$160.63$147.45RVU25B
2025-01-01$160.63$147.45RVU25A
2024-10-01$164.07$150.81RVU24D
2024-07-01$164.07$150.81RVU24C
2024-04-01$164.07$150.81RVU24B
2024-03-09$164.07$150.81RVU24AR
2024-01-01$161.39$148.35RVU24A
2023-10-01$168.58$155.39RVU23D
2023-07-01$168.58$155.39RVU23C
2023-04-01$168.58$155.39RVU23B
2023-01-01$168.58$155.39RVU23A
2022-10-01$174.17$161.33RVU22D
2022-07-01$174.17$161.33RVU22C
2022-04-01$174.17$161.33RVU22B
2022-01-01$174.17$161.33RVU22A
2021-10-01$175.05$162.09RVU21D
2021-07-01$175.05$162.09RVU21C
2021-04-01$175.05$162.09RVU21B
2021-01-01$175.05$162.09RVU21A
2020-10-01$177.21$164.80RVU20D
2020-07-01$177.21$164.80RVU20C
2020-04-01$177.21$164.80RVU20B
2020-01-01$177.21$164.80RVU20A
2019-10-01$174.80$161.72RVU19D
2019-07-01$174.80$161.72RVU19C
2019-04-01$174.80$161.72RVU19B
2019-01-01$174.80$161.72RVU19A
2018-10-01$175.20$161.79RVU18D
2018-07-01$175.20$161.79RVU18C
2018-04-01$175.20$161.79RVU18B
2018-01-01$175.20$161.79RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$180.23$168.87RVU17D
2017-07-01$180.23$168.87RVU17C
2017-04-01$180.23$168.87RVU17B
2017-01-01$180.23$168.87RVU17A
2016-10-01$171.24$160.58RVU16D
2016-07-01$171.24$160.58RVU16C
2016-04-01$171.24$160.58RVU16B
2016-01-01$171.24$160.58RVU16A
2015-10-01$155.64$145.28RVU15D
2015-07-01$155.64$145.28RVU15C
2015-04-01$154.87$144.56RVU15B
2015-01-01$154.87$144.56RVU15A
2014-10-01$161.23$151.25RVU14D
2014-07-01$161.23$151.25RVU14C
2014-04-01$161.23$151.25RVU14B
2014-01-01$161.23$151.25RVU14A
2013-10-01$177.60$164.36RVU13D
2013-07-01$177.60$164.36RVU13C
2013-04-01$177.60$164.36RVU13B
2013-01-01$177.60$164.36RVU13AR

Price 15157 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

15157 billing questions

When is 15157 used instead of 15156?

Use 15157 for each additional 1% of body surface area in an infant or child. Code 15156 represents additional area measured in 100-square-centimeter increments.

Which primary code is reported with 15157?

Report it with the applicable initial graft code for the specified sites, such as 15155. It is an add-on code and is not reported by itself.

Which sites qualify for this code?

The code family covers graft application on the face, scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. The documentation should identify the treated site and support the additional 1% increment.

How many units should be reported?

Report a unit for each additional 1% of body surface area treated in an infant or child. Document the total area grafted so the reported increments can be supported.

How does CMS treat payment for 15157?

CMS treats 15157 as an add-on code billed only with a primary procedure. Payment is within that primary procedure’s global period.

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 15157PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,503 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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