CPT code 15220: Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg, up to 20 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Reports reconstruction of a scalp, arm, or leg skin defect with a full-thickness graft when the recipient area is 20 square centimeters or less.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $706.43 for 15220 in the office and $491.92 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15220 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 15220 covers
This service reconstructs a skin defect by transferring epidermis and the full dermis from a donor site to a recipient site on the scalp, arm, or leg. It may be used to cover a defect after skin-cancer excision, trauma, or another operation when a graft is selected instead of rearranging nearby tissue. The surgeon harvests the graft and directly closes the donor wound; that closure is included. Plastic, dermatologic, and other surgeons may perform the procedure in an office-based or facility setting.
Report this base code when the recipient graft area is 20 square centimeters or less. For additional graft area, report 15221 according to the area treated. Documentation should identify the recipient and donor sites, total graft area, and graft placement. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.
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 15220
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15220 runs from $696.82 in Arkansas to $1,007.58 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $706.43. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$706.43
- Los Angeles, CA · California$869.35+$162.92
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$887.17+$180.74
- Miami, FL · Florida$859.88+$153.45
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$835.62+$129.19
- Manhattan, NY · New York$899.78+$193.35
- Alaska · Alaska$929.22+$222.79
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $696.82 | $486.22 |
| ArizonaArizona | $762.59 | $525.03 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $819.57 | $550.87 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $816.50 | $547.80 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $934.38 | $611.26 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $863.91 | $574.13 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $828.43 | $559.73 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $853.61 | $568.48 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $850.36 | $566.22 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $868.16 | $574.94 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $985.32 | $639.64 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $984.05 | $638.37 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $1,007.58 | $654.06 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $1,002.38 | $648.86 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $837.03 | $557.79 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $874.72 | $576.85 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $852.95 | $567.09 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $883.36 | $582.30 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $932.55 | $609.43 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $816.31 | $547.61 |
| ColoradoColorado | $808.73 | $547.88 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $833.16 | $569.12 |
| DelawareDelaware | $774.67 | $532.45 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $819.41 | $571.06 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $780.53 | $546.15 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $798.94 | $549.85 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $738.05 | $519.36 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $833.20 | $554.45 |
| IowaIowa | $719.39 | $495.07 |
| IdahoIdaho | $724.64 | $499.09 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $782.29 | $556.74 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $762.05 | $538.21 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $826.65 | $574.87 |
| IndianaIndiana | $728.50 | $501.24 |
| KansasKansas | $718.09 | $496.47 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $726.24 | $508.29 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $759.57 | $528.87 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $725.92 | $508.95 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $883.11 | $590.39 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $805.08 | $546.93 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $831.18 | $568.12 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $788.27 | $540.16 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $730.22 | $504.67 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $764.78 | $521.82 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $791.71 | $555.13 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $745.81 | $521.98 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $770.56 | $518.29 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $752.66 | $522.45 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $759.86 | $526.46 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $715.43 | $504.10 |
| MississippiMississippi | $706.16 | $495.07 |
| MontanaMontana | $782.84 | $537.68 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $737.12 | $508.38 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $760.70 | $515.53 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $722.54 | $496.25 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $798.00 | $542.79 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $879.18 | $594.79 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $841.43 | $573.71 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $750.43 | $525.62 |
| NevadaNevada | $777.15 | $531.74 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $922.94 | $631.44 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $848.42 | $579.97 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $904.04 | $614.26 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $747.71 | $514.80 |
| OhioOhio | $741.28 | $517.45 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $723.00 | $504.07 |
| Portland, OROregon | $831.06 | $558.68 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $769.88 | $525.70 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $814.64 | $559.43 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $741.34 | $516.28 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $787.66 | $539.80 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $799.79 | $546.54 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $740.68 | $514.15 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $758.08 | $512.91 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $721.74 | $498.88 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $807.13 | $547.75 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $736.88 | $513.79 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $772.46 | $529.50 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $778.05 | $533.87 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $773.72 | $531.99 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $775.22 | $531.77 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $795.72 | $552.27 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $754.71 | $522.05 |
| UtahUtah | $750.18 | $519.73 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $763.73 | $522.73 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $787.66 | $539.80 |
| VermontVermont | $759.62 | $516.91 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $802.95 | $544.79 |
| King County, WAWashington | $898.66 | $597.84 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $736.79 | $501.92 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $735.90 | $522.86 |
| WyomingWyoming | $773.19 | $528.03 |
15220 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.
$696.82
$929.22
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 | $929.22 | 1 |
| AL | $706.43 | 1 |
| AR | $696.82 | 1 |
| AZ | $762.59 | 1 |
| CA | $816.31–$1,007.58 | 29 |
| CO | $808.73 | 1 |
| CT | $833.16 | 1 |
| DC | $887.17 | 1 |
| DE | $774.67 | 1 |
| FL | $780.53–$859.88 | 3 |
| GA | $738.05–$798.94 | 2 |
| GU | $833.20 | 1 |
| HI | $833.20 | 1 |
| IA | $719.39 | 1 |
| ID | $724.64 | 1 |
| IL | $762.05–$835.62 | 4 |
| IN | $728.50 | 1 |
| KS | $718.09 | 1 |
| KY | $726.24 | 1 |
| LA | $725.92–$759.57 | 2 |
| MA | $805.08–$883.11 | 2 |
| MD | $788.27–$887.17 | 3 |
| ME | $730.22–$764.78 | 2 |
| MI | $745.81–$791.71 | 2 |
| MN | $770.56 | 1 |
| MO | $715.43–$759.86 | 3 |
| MS | $706.16 | 1 |
| MT | $782.84 | 1 |
| NC | $737.12 | 1 |
| ND | $760.70 | 1 |
| NE | $722.54 | 1 |
| NH | $798.00 | 1 |
| NJ | $841.43–$879.18 | 2 |
| NM | $750.43 | 1 |
| NV | $777.15 | 1 |
| NY | $747.71–$922.94 | 5 |
| OH | $741.28 | 1 |
| OK | $723.00 | 1 |
| OR | $769.88–$831.06 | 2 |
| PA | $741.34–$814.64 | 2 |
| PR | $787.66 | 1 |
| RI | $799.79 | 1 |
| SC | $740.68 | 1 |
| SD | $758.08 | 1 |
| TN | $721.74 | 1 |
| TX | $736.88–$807.13 | 8 |
| UT | $750.18 | 1 |
| VA | $763.73–$887.17 | 2 |
| VI | $787.66 | 1 |
| VT | $759.62 | 1 |
| WA | $802.95–$898.66 | 2 |
| WI | $736.79 | 1 |
| WV | $735.90 | 1 |
| WY | $773.19 | 1 |
How the 15220 rate is calculated
Each of 15220’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 · 15220
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work7.89
7.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense14.43
14.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.12
1.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
23.4400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$782.92
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
1,506
- Code
- 15220
- Physician work
- 7.89
- Practice expense
- 14.43
- Malpractice
- 1.12
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 7.89 | × 1.000 | 7.8900 |
| Practice expense | 14.43 | × 0.875 | 12.6262 |
| Malpractice | 1.12 | × 0.566 | 0.6339 |
| Total RVUs | 21.1502 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$706.43
Office: (7.89 × 1 + 14.43 × 0.875 + 1.12 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $706.43
Facility: (7.89 × 1 + 7.09 × 0.875 + 1.12 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $491.92
Payment rules and modifiers for 15220
15220 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 15220
Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg, up to 20 sq cm
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| 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) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.71/0.19 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 15220
Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg, up to 20 sq cm
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
15220 without 51 · national office
$782.92
Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg, up to 20 sq cm
15220-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$391.46
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
How 15220 has changed in Alabama
15220 · Office / nonfacility
$706.43
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $30.39 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $676.04 to $706.43 (4.5%).
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
$676.04changed to$706.43
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 8.09 changed to 7.89
- Practice expense RVU 13.98 changed to 14.43
- Malpractice RVU 1.15 changed to 1.12
- 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
$695.02changed to$676.04
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 13.93 changed to 13.98
- Malpractice RVU 1.19 changed to 1.15
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$683.68changed to$695.02
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$713.68changed to$683.68
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 13.81 changed to 13.93
- Malpractice RVU 1.13 changed to 1.19
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$730.51changed to$713.68
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 13.51 changed to 13.81
- Malpractice RVU 1.11 changed to 1.13
- 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
$733.46changed to$730.51
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 13.42 changed to 13.51
- Malpractice RVU 1.10 changed to 1.11
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$730.32changed to$733.46
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 12.78 changed to 13.42
- Malpractice RVU 1.11 changed to 1.10
- 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
$720.85changed to$730.32
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 12.66 changed to 12.78
- Malpractice RVU 1.31 changed to 1.11
- 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
$717.50changed to$720.85
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 12.58 changed to 12.66
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$717.50
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 | $706.43 | $491.92 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $706.43 | $491.92 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $706.43 | $491.92 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $706.43 | $491.92 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $676.04 | $541.96 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $676.04 | $541.96 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $676.04 | $541.96 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $676.04 | $541.96 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $695.02 | $554.15 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $695.02 | $554.15 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $695.02 | $554.15 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $695.02 | $554.15 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $683.68 | $545.11 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $713.68 | $568.19 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $713.68 | $568.19 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $713.68 | $568.19 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $713.68 | $568.19 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $730.51 | $580.54 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $730.51 | $580.54 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $730.51 | $580.54 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $730.51 | $580.54 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $733.46 | $581.94 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $733.46 | $581.94 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $733.46 | $581.94 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $733.46 | $581.94 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $730.32 | $585.94 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $730.32 | $585.94 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $730.32 | $585.94 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $730.32 | $585.94 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $720.85 | $580.04 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $720.85 | $580.04 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $720.85 | $580.04 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $720.85 | $580.04 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $717.50 | $580.05 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $717.50 | $580.05 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $717.50 | $580.05 | 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
15220 billing questions
When should 15220 be chosen instead of 15200?
Use 15220 for a full-thickness graft to the scalp, arm, or leg. Code 15200 is for a graft to the trunk.
What is included in the graft service?
The graft harvest and direct closure of the donor wound are included. Do not separately report that direct donor-site closure as another service.
How is graft area above 20 square centimeters reported?
Use 15220 for the initial area up to 20 square centimeters and report 15221 for additional graft area.
Can modifier 50 be used when grafting both arms or legs?
No. CMS identifies modifier 50 as inappropriate for this code; report the service based on the graft area and documented sites.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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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