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CPT code 15201: Skin graft, additional trunk area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports each additional 20 square centimeters or part of full-thickness skin grafting on the trunk, beyond the area covered by the primary graft code.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality185 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $168.86 for 15201 in the office and $70.49 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$168.86Office (non-facility)
$70.49Hospital or facility
+13.9%vs the national office rate ($148.30)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15201 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 15201 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15201 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 15201 covers

This add-on represents additional recipient-site area covered with a free full-thickness skin graft on the trunk. A full-thickness graft contains the epidermis and the full dermis and may be used to reconstruct a trunk defect after lesion removal, trauma, or another procedure. Surgeons, including plastic and dermatologic surgeons, typically perform the graft in an operating room or other procedural setting. Direct closure of the graft donor site is part of the graft service.

Report 15201 with the primary trunk graft code, 15200, when the treated recipient area exceeds the area covered by that code. Count one unit for each additional 20 square centimeters or part thereof, using the documented grafted area rather than donor-site size. The operative report should identify the trunk recipient site, full-thickness graft type, and measured area. CMS classifies 15201 as an add-on: 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 Washington, DC area compares for 15201

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15201 runs from $130.82 in Arkansas to $192.58 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $168.86. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15201 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$168.86
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$165.33−$3.53
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$164.04−$4.82
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$159.04−$9.82
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$171.36+$2.50
  6. Alaska · Alaska$172.73+$3.87
  7. Alabama · Alabama$132.77−$36.09

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

Every other payment area

15201 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$130.82$59.09
ArizonaArizona$144.17$63.26
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$155.48$63.96
Chico, CACalifornia$154.83$63.31
El Centro, CACalifornia$154.87$63.35
Fresno, CACalifornia$154.83$63.31
Hanford, CACalifornia$154.83$63.31
Madera, CACalifornia$154.83$63.31

15201 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.

$130.82

$173.71

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

View every state and territory as a table
15201 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$172.731
AL$132.771
AR$130.821
AZ$144.171
CA$154.83–$192.5829
CO$153.381
CT$158.281
DC$168.861
DE$146.571
FL$147.87–$164.043
GA$139.24–$151.532
GU$158.431
HI$158.431
IA$135.381
ID$136.451
IL$144.14–$159.044
IN$137.231
KS$135.131
KY$136.821
LA$136.76–$143.592
MA$152.60–$168.142
MD$149.27–$168.863
ME$137.59–$144.592
MI$140.81–$150.162
MN$145.721
MO$134.64–$143.633
MS$132.741
MT$148.281
NC$138.991
ND$143.741
NE$136.011
NH$151.341
NJ$159.74–$167.142
NM$141.751
NV$147.111
NY$141.14–$176.075
OH$139.881
OK$136.151
OR$145.63–$157.852
PA$139.88–$154.562
PR$149.261
RI$151.511
SC$139.741
SD$143.201
TN$135.871
TX$138.98–$153.178
UT$141.661
VA$144.38–$168.862
VI$149.261
VT$143.531
WA$152.19–$171.192
WI$138.891
WV$138.831
WY$146.301

See 15201 in every payment locality

How the 15201 rate is calculated

Each of 15201’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 · 15201

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.29

1.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.92

2.92 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.23

0.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.4400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$148.30

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

1,505

Code
15201
Physician work
1.29
Practice expense
2.92
Malpractice
0.23

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15201 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.29× 1.0541.3597
Practice expense2.92× 1.1783.4398
Malpractice0.23× 1.1130.2560
Total RVUs5.0554
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$168.86

Office: (1.29 × 1.054 + 2.92 × 1.178 + 0.23 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $168.86

Facility: (1.29 × 1.054 + 0.42 × 1.178 + 0.23 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $70.49

Open 15201 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15201

The CMS indicators that decide how 15201 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15201

Skin graft, additional trunk 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)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 15201

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

Codes related to 15201
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15200Skin graft, trunk, 20 sq cm or lessPrimary full-thickness graft code for the trunk; 15201 is reported with it.$991.46
Same family
15221Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg; each additional areaAdditional-area full-thickness graft code for scalp, arms, or legs.$152.54
15240Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or lessPrimary full-thickness graft code for specified face and head sites.$1,059.52
Used instead
15101Skin graft, additional area, trunk or limbAdditional-area code for split-thickness grafting, rather than a full-thickness graft.$229.47

How 15201 has changed in Washington, DC area

15201 · Office / nonfacility

$168.86

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $14.81 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $154.05 to $168.86 (9.6%).

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

    $154.05changed to$168.86

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.32 changed to 1.29
    • Practice expense RVU 2.58 changed to 2.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.23
    • 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

    $160.12changed to$154.05

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.62 changed to 2.58

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $157.51changed to$160.12

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $167.09changed to$157.51

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.66 changed to 2.62
    • 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

    $172.26changed to$167.09

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.64 changed to 2.66
    • 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

    $179.30changed to$172.26

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.77 changed to 2.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $177.39changed to$179.30

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.63 changed to 2.77
    • 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

    $172.66changed to$177.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.58 changed to 2.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.25
    • 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

    $175.51changed to$172.66

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.65 changed to 2.58

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $173.03changed to$175.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.60 changed to 2.65
    • 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

    $174.57changed to$173.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.64 changed to 2.60
    • 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

    $175.20changed to$174.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $174.33changed to$175.20

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $173.26changed to$174.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.62 changed to 2.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • 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

    $175.72changed to$173.26

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25
    • 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: $175.72

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$168.86$70.49RVU26D
2026-07-01$168.86$70.49RVU26C
2026-04-01$168.86$70.49RVU26B
2026-01-01$168.86$70.49RVU26A
2025-10-01$154.05$81.95RVU25D
2025-07-01$154.05$81.95RVU25C
2025-04-01$154.05$81.95RVU25B
2025-01-01$154.05$81.95RVU25A
2024-10-01$160.12$83.94RVU24D
2024-07-01$160.12$83.94RVU24C
2024-04-01$160.12$83.94RVU24B
2024-03-09$160.12$83.94RVU24AR
2024-01-01$157.51$82.57RVU24A
2023-10-01$167.09$86.46RVU23D
2023-07-01$167.09$86.46RVU23C
2023-04-01$167.09$86.46RVU23B
2023-01-01$167.09$86.46RVU23A
2022-10-01$172.26$88.00RVU22D
2022-07-01$172.26$88.00RVU22C
2022-04-01$172.26$88.00RVU22B
2022-01-01$172.26$88.00RVU22A
2021-10-01$179.30$90.02RVU21D
2021-07-01$179.30$90.02RVU21C
2021-04-01$179.30$90.02RVU21B
2021-01-01$179.30$90.02RVU21A
2020-10-01$177.39$91.90RVU20D
2020-07-01$177.39$91.90RVU20C
2020-04-01$177.39$91.90RVU20B
2020-01-01$177.39$91.90RVU20A
2019-10-01$172.66$91.02RVU19D
2019-07-01$172.66$91.02RVU19C
2019-04-01$172.66$91.02RVU19B
2019-01-01$172.66$91.02RVU19A
2018-10-01$175.51$91.79RVU18D
2018-07-01$175.51$91.79RVU18C
2018-04-01$175.51$91.79RVU18B
2018-01-01$175.51$91.79RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$173.03$91.30RVU17D
2017-07-01$173.03$91.30RVU17C
2017-04-01$173.03$91.30RVU17B
2017-01-01$173.03$91.30RVU17A
2016-10-01$174.57$91.30RVU16D
2016-07-01$174.57$91.30RVU16C
2016-04-01$174.57$91.30RVU16B
2016-01-01$174.57$91.30RVU16A
2015-10-01$175.20$91.63RVU15D
2015-07-01$175.20$91.63RVU15C
2015-04-01$174.33$91.18RVU15B
2015-01-01$174.33$91.18RVU15A
2014-10-01$173.26$91.88RVU14D
2014-07-01$173.26$91.88RVU14C
2014-04-01$173.26$91.88RVU14B
2014-01-01$173.26$91.88RVU14A
2013-10-01$175.72$88.49RVU13D
2013-07-01$175.72$88.49RVU13C
2013-04-01$175.72$88.49RVU13B
2013-01-01$175.72$88.49RVU13AR

Price 15201 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

15201 billing questions

When should 15201 be reported instead of 15200?

Use 15200 for the primary full-thickness graft area on the trunk. Add 15201 for each additional 20 square centimeters or part beyond the area covered by 15200.

Can 15201 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the primary trunk graft procedure, 15200.

How are units determined?

Base units on the additional recipient-site area grafted, counting one unit for each additional 20 square centimeters or part. Document the measured area and do not calculate units from donor-site size.

Is closure of the donor site separately reported?

Direct closure of the donor site is included in the full-thickness graft service. The add-on units describe additional grafted recipient area.

How does the global-period rule affect 15201?

CMS treats 15201 as an add-on reported with its primary procedure, and payment falls within that 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 15201PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,505 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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