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CPT code 15240: Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or less2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a free full-thickness skin graft of 20 square centimeters or less to specified sites, including the face, neck, axilla, genitalia, hands, or feet.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality12.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,059.52 for 15240 in the office and $777.41 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,059.52Office (non-facility)
$777.41Hospital or facility
+13.0%vs the national office rate ($937.56)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15240 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 15240 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15240 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 15240 covers

This code covers placement of a free full-thickness skin graft measuring 20 square centimeters or less at the forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axilla, genitalia, hands, or feet. The graft is harvested from a donor site, and direct closure of that donor site is included. Plastic surgeons, dermatologic surgeons, and other surgeons performing reconstruction may use it to cover a defect after excision, trauma, or another procedure when a full-thickness graft is selected.

Select the code by graft type, recipient-site category, and total graft area; document the recipient site, graft dimensions, and donor-site closure. Report 15241 for each additional 20 square centimeters or part thereof. The service has a 90-day global period that includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeons and team surgery 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 Washington, DC area compares for 15240

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15240 runs from $837.89 in Arkansas to $1,199.16 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $1,059.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15240 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$1,059.52
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,037.94−$21.58
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$1,028.21−$31.31
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,000.24−$59.28
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,075.06+$15.54
  6. Alaska · Alaska$1,123.14+$63.62
  7. Alabama · Alabama$849.02−$210.50

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

Every other payment area

15240 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$837.89$632.17
ArizonaArizona$913.99$681.93
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$979.83$717.36
Chico, CACalifornia$975.91$713.43
El Centro, CACalifornia$976.13$713.66
Fresno, CACalifornia$975.91$713.43
Hanford, CACalifornia$975.91$713.43
Madera, CACalifornia$975.91$713.43

15240 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.

$837.89

$1,123.14

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

View every state and territory as a table
15240 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,123.141
AL$849.021
AR$837.891
AZ$913.991
CA$975.91–$1,199.1629
CO$967.371
CT$996.341
DC$1,059.521
DE$928.121
FL$935.53–$1,028.213
GA$886.25–$956.382
GU$994.781
HI$994.781
IA$863.681
ID$869.821
IL$914.37–$1,000.244
IN$874.281
KS$862.331
KY$872.281
LA$871.97–$910.912
MA$963.34–$1,054.082
MD$943.96–$1,059.523
ME$876.44–$916.182
MI$895.09–$948.642
MN$922.361
MO$859.94–$911.053
MS$848.951
MT$937.471
NC$884.401
ND$911.181
NE$867.261
NH$954.731
NJ$1,006.41–$1,050.602
NM$900.501
NV$930.701
NY$896.66–$1,102.065
OH$889.711
OK$868.371
OR$922.15–$993.122
PA$889.68–$974.962
PR$942.991
RI$957.491
SC$888.791
SD$908.071
TN$866.571
TX$884.54–$965.328
UT$899.781
VA$915.08–$1,059.522
VI$942.991
VT$910.081
WA$960.72–$1,072.172
WI$883.551
WV$884.121
WY$926.011

See 15240 in every payment locality

How the 15240 rate is calculated

Each of 15240’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 · 15240

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work10.15

10.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense16.59

16.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.33

1.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

28.0700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$937.56

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

1,508

Code
15240
Physician work
10.15
Practice expense
16.59
Malpractice
1.33

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15240 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work10.15× 1.05410.6981
Practice expense16.59× 1.17819.5430
Malpractice1.33× 1.1131.4803
Total RVUs31.7214
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$1059.52

Office: (10.15 × 1.054 + 16.59 × 1.178 + 1.33 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1059.52

Facility: (10.15 × 1.054 + 9.42 × 1.178 + 1.33 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $777.41

Open 15240 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15240

15240 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 15240

Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or less

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
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.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.71/0.19Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 15240

Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or less

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.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

15240 without 51 · national office

$937.56

Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or less

15240-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$468.78

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 15240

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

Codes related to 15240
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15241Skin graft, each additional 20 cm²Add-on code for each additional 20 square centimeters or part thereof.$203.56
Used instead
15200Skin graft, trunk, 20 sq cm or lessFull-thickness graft code for the trunk rather than the sites covered by 15240.$991.46
15220Skin graft, scalp, arm, or leg, up to 20 sq cmFull-thickness graft code for the scalp, arms, or legs.$887.17
15260Full-thickness graft, nose, ear, eyelid, or lipFull-thickness graft code for the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips.$1,129.35

How 15240 has changed in Washington, DC area

15240 · Office / nonfacility

$1059.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $23.78 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1035.74 to $1059.52 (2.3%).

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

    $1035.74changed to$1059.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 10.41 changed to 10.15
    • Practice expense RVU 16.25 changed to 16.59
    • Malpractice RVU 1.41 changed to 1.33
    • 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

    $1063.47changed to$1035.74

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 16.16 changed to 16.25
    • Malpractice RVU 1.44 changed to 1.41

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1046.11changed to$1063.47

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1087.90changed to$1046.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 15.99 changed to 16.16
    • Malpractice RVU 1.38 changed to 1.44
    • 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

    $1108.76changed to$1087.90

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 15.60 changed to 15.99
    • 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

    $1110.99changed to$1108.76

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 15.47 changed to 15.60
    • Malpractice RVU 1.35 changed to 1.38

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1107.14changed to$1110.99

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 14.78 changed to 15.47
    • Malpractice RVU 1.34 changed to 1.35
    • 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

    $1101.92changed to$1107.14

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 14.63 changed to 14.78
    • Malpractice RVU 1.64 changed to 1.34
    • 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

    $1097.24changed to$1101.92

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 14.55 changed to 14.63

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1095.59changed to$1097.24

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 14.54 changed to 14.55
    • Malpractice RVU 1.65 changed to 1.64
    • 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

    $1092.56changed to$1095.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 14.47 changed to 14.54
    • Malpractice RVU 1.67 changed to 1.65
    • 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

    $1092.80changed to$1092.56

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 14.48 changed to 14.47
    • Malpractice RVU 1.58 changed to 1.67

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1087.36changed to$1092.80

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1075.51changed to$1087.36

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 14.25 changed to 14.48
    • Malpractice RVU 1.63 changed to 1.58
    • 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

    $1085.78changed to$1075.51

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 15.92 changed to 14.25
    • Malpractice RVU 1.70 changed to 1.63
    • 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: $1085.78

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,059.52$777.41RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,059.52$777.41RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,059.52$777.41RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,059.52$777.41RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,035.74$882.29RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,035.74$882.29RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,035.74$882.29RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,035.74$882.29RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,063.47$901.18RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,063.47$901.18RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,063.47$901.18RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,063.47$901.18RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,046.11$886.47RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,087.90$918.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,087.90$918.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,087.90$918.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,087.90$918.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,108.76$931.25RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,108.76$931.25RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,108.76$931.25RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,108.76$931.25RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,110.99$931.15RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,110.99$931.15RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,110.99$931.15RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,110.99$931.15RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,107.14$940.14RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,107.14$940.14RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,107.14$940.14RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,107.14$940.14RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,101.92$942.54RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,101.92$942.54RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,101.92$942.54RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,101.92$942.54RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,097.24$942.81RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,097.24$942.81RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,097.24$942.81RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,097.24$942.81RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,095.59$943.80RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,095.59$943.80RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,095.59$943.80RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,095.59$943.80RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,092.56$940.70RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,092.56$940.70RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,092.56$940.70RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,092.56$940.70RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,092.80$939.08RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,092.80$939.08RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,087.36$934.41RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,087.36$934.41RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,075.51$927.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,075.51$927.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,075.51$927.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,075.51$927.39RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,085.78$926.41RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,085.78$926.41RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,085.78$926.41RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,085.78$926.41RVU13AR

Price 15240 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

15240 billing questions

When should I choose 15240 rather than another full-thickness graft code?

Use 15240 for a graft of 20 square centimeters or less at the forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axilla, genitalia, hands, or feet. Other full-thickness graft codes cover different recipient-site groups.

What is included in 15240?

Direct closure of the skin-graft donor site is included. The code does not describe a skin-substitute graft application.

How do I report graft area over 20 square centimeters?

Report 15240 for the first 20 square centimeters or less and 15241 for each additional 20 square centimeters or part thereof. Document the graft area and recipient site.

Can I report modifier 50 for grafts on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 15240, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

Does the 90-day global period include routine postoperative care?

Yes. The day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care are included in the global period.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be paid for 15240?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. 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
RVUs for 15240PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,508 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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