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CPT code 15221: Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg; each additional area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Queens, NY

Reports each additional 20 square centimeters or part of full-thickness skin grafting on the scalp, arms, or legs beyond the initial area.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Queens, NY, Medicare pays $155.48 for 15221 in the office and $65.47 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$155.48Office (non-facility)
$65.47Hospital or facility
+16.1%vs the national office rate ($133.94)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15221 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 15221 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Queens, NY
  2. What 15221 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 15221 covers

This add-on represents additional recipient-site area treated with a full-thickness skin autograft on the scalp, an arm, or a leg. The graft contains the full skin thickness and is transferred to cover a defect, such as one remaining after lesion removal or injury. Plastic surgeons and other surgeons commonly perform these reconstructions in operating rooms or procedure settings. The primary graft service includes direct closure of the donor site.

Report this code with the primary graft code 15220 when the total grafted area exceeds the initial 20 square centimeters. Each additional 20 square centimeters, or any portion of that increment, supports one unit. Documentation should identify the recipient site, the full-thickness graft technique, and the total area treated so the additional area can be determined. 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 Queens, NY compares for 15221

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15221 runs from $118.22 in Arkansas to $174.22 in San Benito County, CA. Queens, NY pays $155.48. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15221 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$155.48
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$154.67−$0.81
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$158.87+$3.39
  4. Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY · New York$145.49−$9.99
  5. Rest of New York · New York$127.53−$27.95
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$149.48−$6.00
  7. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$152.54−$2.94

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

Every other payment area

15221 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$147.78$68.50
Chicago, ILIllinois$143.30$66.77
AlaskaAlaska$156.06$74.96
AlabamaAlabama$119.97$53.34
ArkansasArkansas$118.22$52.80
ArizonaArizona$130.23$56.44
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$140.56$57.09
Chico, CACalifornia$139.99$56.53

15221 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.

$118.22

$157.11

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

View every state and territory as a table
15221 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$156.061
AL$119.971
AR$118.221
AZ$130.231
CA$139.99–$174.2229
CO$138.601
CT$142.931
DC$152.541
DE$132.391
FL$133.40–$147.783
GA$125.66–$136.812
GU$143.251
HI$143.251
IA$122.391
ID$123.341
IL$130.00–$143.304
IN$124.041
KS$122.131
KY$123.541
LA$123.48–$129.622
MA$137.89–$151.962
MD$134.84–$152.543
ME$124.33–$130.682
MI$127.10–$135.422
MN$131.801
MO$121.55–$129.703
MS$119.891
MT$133.921
NC$125.601
ND$129.971
NE$122.971
NH$136.731
NJ$144.28–$150.992
NM$127.931
NV$132.911
NY$127.53–$158.875
OH$126.291
OK$122.981
OR$131.60–$142.672
PA$126.31–$139.552
PR$134.811
RI$136.871
SC$126.211
SD$129.501
TN$122.791
TX$125.50–$138.398
UT$127.951
VA$130.47–$152.542
VI$134.811
VT$129.751
WA$137.54–$154.742
WI$125.601
WV$125.221
WY$132.201

See 15221 in every payment locality

How the 15221 rate is calculated

Each of 15221’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 · 15221

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.16

1.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.65

2.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.0100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$133.94

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Queens, NY inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,507

Code
15221
Physician work
1.16
Practice expense
2.65
Malpractice
0.20

GPCI2026.csv

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 15221 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.16× 1.0641.2342
Practice expense2.65× 1.1823.1323
Malpractice0.20× 1.4420.2884
Total RVUs4.6549
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$155.48

Office: (1.16 × 1.064 + 2.65 × 1.182 + 0.2 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $155.48

Facility: (1.16 × 1.064 + 0.37 × 1.182 + 0.2 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $65.47

Open 15221 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15221

The CMS indicators that decide how 15221 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15221

Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg; each additional 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 15221

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

Codes related to 15221
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Queens, NY
Add-on codes
15220Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg, up to 20 sq cmPrimary code for the initial full-thickness graft area on the scalp, arms, or legs.$904.04
Used instead
15200Skin graft, trunk, 20 sq cm or lessPrimary full-thickness graft code for the trunk rather than the scalp, arms, or legs.$1,013.03
15201Skin graft, additional trunk areaAdditional-area code for full-thickness grafting on the trunk.$172.20
15240Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or lessPrimary full-thickness graft code for specified facial and other specialized sites.$1,079.75
15260Full-thickness graft, nose, ear, eyelid, or lipPrimary full-thickness graft code for the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips.$1,149.85
15272Skin substitute graft, additional trunk, arm, or leg areaAdditional-area code for skin substitute grafting on the trunk, arms, or legs.$29.57

How 15221 has changed in Queens, NY

15221 · Office / nonfacility

$155.48

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $144.08 to $155.48 (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

    $144.08changed to$155.48

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.19 changed to 1.16
    • Practice expense RVU 2.41 changed to 2.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20
    • Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $150.66changed to$144.08

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.41

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $148.20changed to$150.66

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $159.84changed to$148.20

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.51 changed to 2.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $169.42changed to$159.84

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.53 changed to 2.51
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $174.75changed to$169.42

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.60 changed to 2.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $170.32changed to$174.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.48 changed to 2.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $167.99changed to$170.32

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.19
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $168.24changed to$167.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.48 changed to 2.47

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $167.94changed to$168.24

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $167.69changed to$167.94

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $168.72changed to$167.69

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.49 changed to 2.48

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $167.88changed to$168.72

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $164.58changed to$167.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.45 changed to 2.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $166.07changed to$164.58

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.74 changed to 2.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $166.07

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$155.48$65.47RVU26D
2026-07-01$155.48$65.47RVU26C
2026-04-01$155.48$65.47RVU26B
2026-01-01$155.48$65.47RVU26A
2025-10-01$144.08$76.44RVU25D
2025-07-01$144.08$76.44RVU25C
2025-04-01$144.08$76.44RVU25B
2025-01-01$144.08$76.44RVU25A
2024-10-01$150.66$78.26RVU24D
2024-07-01$150.66$78.26RVU24C
2024-04-01$150.66$78.26RVU24B
2024-03-09$150.66$78.26RVU24AR
2024-01-01$148.20$76.99RVU24A
2023-10-01$159.84$83.45RVU23D
2023-07-01$159.84$83.45RVU23C
2023-04-01$159.84$83.45RVU23B
2023-01-01$159.84$83.45RVU23A
2022-10-01$169.42$89.10RVU22D
2022-07-01$169.42$89.10RVU22C
2022-04-01$169.42$89.10RVU22B
2022-01-01$169.42$89.10RVU22A
2021-10-01$174.75$90.77RVU21D
2021-07-01$174.75$90.77RVU21C
2021-04-01$174.75$90.77RVU21B
2021-01-01$174.75$90.77RVU21A
2020-10-01$170.32$90.14RVU20D
2020-07-01$170.32$90.14RVU20C
2020-04-01$170.32$90.14RVU20B
2020-01-01$170.32$90.14RVU20A
2019-10-01$167.99$89.28RVU19D
2019-07-01$167.99$89.28RVU19C
2019-04-01$167.99$89.28RVU19B
2019-01-01$167.99$89.28RVU19A
2018-10-01$168.24$89.61RVU18D
2018-07-01$168.24$89.61RVU18C
2018-04-01$168.24$89.61RVU18B
2018-01-01$168.24$89.61RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$167.94$89.99RVU17D
2017-07-01$167.94$89.99RVU17C
2017-04-01$167.94$89.99RVU17B
2017-01-01$167.94$89.99RVU17A
2016-10-01$167.69$89.55RVU16D
2016-07-01$167.69$89.55RVU16C
2016-04-01$167.69$89.55RVU16B
2016-01-01$167.69$89.55RVU16A
2015-10-01$168.72$89.88RVU15D
2015-07-01$168.72$89.88RVU15C
2015-04-01$167.88$89.43RVU15B
2015-01-01$167.88$89.43RVU15A
2014-10-01$164.58$87.83RVU14D
2014-07-01$164.58$87.83RVU14C
2014-04-01$164.58$87.83RVU14B
2014-01-01$164.58$87.83RVU14A
2013-10-01$166.07$83.13RVU13D
2013-07-01$166.07$83.13RVU13C
2013-04-01$166.07$83.13RVU13B
2013-01-01$166.07$83.13RVU13AR

Price 15221 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in New York

15221 billing questions

When is 15221 reported instead of 15220?

Use 15220 for the initial grafted area up to 20 square centimeters. Report 15221 for each additional 20 square centimeters or part of that increment.

Can 15221 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be billed with primary code 15220 for the qualifying full-thickness graft.

How are units determined?

Base units on the grafted area beyond the first 20 square centimeters. Each additional 20 square centimeters or fraction supports one unit.

What documentation supports the additional area?

Document the recipient-site location, that a full-thickness skin graft was performed, and the total grafted area. The recorded area should support the units billed beyond the initial area.

How does this differ from a skin substitute graft add-on?

15221 applies to additional area treated with a full-thickness skin autograft on the scalp, arms, or legs. Codes such as 15272 describe an additional area treated with a skin substitute graft.

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 15221PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,507 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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