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CPT code 15261: Skin graft, additional 20 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Redding, CA

Reports each additional 20 sq cm, or fraction, of full-thickness skin grafting to the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips beyond the primary area.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality377 Medicare services in 2024

In Redding, CA, Medicare pays $216.36 for 15261 in the office and $112.03 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$216.36Office (non-facility)
$112.03Hospital or facility
+4.1%vs the national office rate ($207.75)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15261 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 15261 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Redding, CA
  2. What 15261 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 15261 covers

Code 15261 captures additional recipient-area coverage when a free full-thickness skin graft is used on the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips. The surgeon harvests full-thickness skin, transfers it to a defect—often a nasal defect after Mohs excision—and closes the donor site directly. Plastic surgeons, dermatologic surgeons, and other surgeons perform this reconstruction in procedure rooms or operating rooms. This site group is specific to full-thickness skin grafts, not split-thickness grafts or skin-substitute products.

Report 15261 with 15260 when the grafted area exceeds the initial 20 sq cm; each further 20 sq cm or fraction supports an additional unit. Document the recipient site, graft technique, and measured graft area. This is an add-on code, not a standalone service, and CMS pays it within the primary procedure’s global period. Direct closure of the donor site is included in the graft service.

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 Redding, CA compares for 15261

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15261 runs from $185.23 in Arkansas to $266.44 in San Benito County, CA. Redding, CA pays $216.36. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15261 in Redding, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Redding, CA · this page$216.36
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$217.24+$0.88
  3. Chico, CA · California$216.36
  4. El Centro, CA · California$216.41+$0.05
  5. Fresno, CA · California$216.36
  6. Hanford, CA · California$216.36
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$230.28+$13.92

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

Every other payment area

15261 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03
Merced, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03
Modesto, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03
Napa, CACalifornia$247.22$121.76
Oxnard, CACalifornia$228.80$116.28
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$216.36$112.03
Riverside, CACalifornia$219.61$115.28
Sacramento, CACalifornia$226.13$115.42

15261 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.

$185.23

$247.64

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

View every state and territory as a table
15261 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$247.641
AL$187.751
AR$185.231
AZ$202.431
CA$216.36–$266.4429
CO$214.451
CT$220.951
DC$235.091
DE$205.601
FL$207.28–$228.213
GA$196.15–$211.992
GU$220.691
HI$220.691
IA$191.061
ID$192.451
IL$202.50–$221.864
IN$193.461
KS$190.761
KY$193.001
LA$192.93–$201.732
MA$213.52–$233.922
MD$209.16–$235.093
ME$193.95–$202.932
MI$198.15–$210.242
MN$204.331
MO$190.21–$201.763
MS$187.731
MT$207.731
NC$195.741
ND$201.801
NE$191.881
NH$211.641
NJ$223.15–$233.042
NM$199.371
NV$206.211
NY$198.51–$244.655
OH$196.941
OK$192.121
OR$204.28–$220.252
PA$196.93–$216.132
PR$208.981
RI$212.181
SC$196.731
SD$201.101
TN$191.721
TX$195.77–$214.028
UT$199.221
VA$202.68–$235.092
VI$208.981
VT$201.551
WA$212.94–$237.982
WI$195.561
WV$195.661
WY$205.151

See 15261 in every payment locality

How the 15261 rate is calculated

Each of 15261’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 · 15261

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.17

2.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.75

3.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.30

0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.2200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$207.75

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

The exact Redding, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,511

Code
15261
Physician work
2.17
Practice expense
3.75
Malpractice
0.30

GPCI2026.csv

19

Locality
Redding, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 15261 in Redding, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.17× 1.0172.2069
Practice expense3.75× 1.0964.1100
Malpractice0.30× 0.5360.1608
Total RVUs6.4777
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Redding, CA$216.36

Office: (2.17 × 1.017 + 3.75 × 1.096 + 0.3 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $216.36

Facility: (2.17 × 1.017 + 0.9 × 1.096 + 0.3 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $112.03

Open 15261 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15261

The CMS indicators that decide how 15261 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15261

Skin graft, additional 20 sq cm

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 15261

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

Codes related to 15261
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Redding, CA
Add-on codes
15260Full-thickness graft, nose, ear, eyelid, or lipPrimary full-thickness graft code for the first 20 sq cm at the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips.$1,042.67
Used instead
15241Skin graft, each additional 20 cm²Parallel additional-area code for the full-thickness graft site group represented by 15240.$186.75
15240Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or lessPrimary full-thickness graft code for a different facial and other specified site group.$975.91
15276Skin substitute graft, additional area, selected sitesAdditional-area code for skin-substitute grafting at specified sites, rather than a full-thickness skin graft.$34.37

How 15261 has changed in Redding, CA

15261 · Office / nonfacility

$216.36

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.73 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $204.63 to $216.36 (5.7%).

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

    $204.63changed to$216.36

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.23 changed to 2.17
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $211.67changed to$204.63

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.55

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $208.22changed to$211.67

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $215.60changed to$208.22

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.62 changed to 3.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $217.97changed to$215.60

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.59 changed to 3.62
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $220.69changed to$217.97

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.62 changed to 3.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $222.30changed to$220.69

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.46 changed to 3.62
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $223.56changed to$222.30

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.48 changed to 3.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $225.63changed to$223.56

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.48

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $226.87changed to$225.63

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.54
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$226.87

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$216.36$112.03RVU26D
2026-07-01$216.36$112.03RVU26C
2026-04-01$216.36$112.03RVU26B
2026-01-01$216.36$112.03RVU26A
2025-10-01$204.63$131.09RVU25D
2025-07-01$204.63$131.09RVU25C
2025-04-01$204.63$131.09RVU25B
2025-01-01$204.63$131.09RVU25A
2024-10-01$211.67$134.54RVU24D
2024-07-01$211.67$134.54RVU24C
2024-04-01$211.67$134.54RVU24B
2024-03-09$211.67$134.54RVU24AR
2024-01-01$208.22$132.35RVU24A
2023-10-01$215.60$137.35RVU23D
2023-07-01$215.60$137.35RVU23C
2023-04-01$215.60$137.35RVU23B
2023-01-01$215.60$137.35RVU23A
2022-10-01$217.97$139.10RVU22D
2022-07-01$217.97$139.10RVU22C
2022-04-01$217.97$139.10RVU22B
2022-01-01$217.97$139.10RVU22A
2021-10-01$220.69$140.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$220.69$140.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$220.69$140.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$220.69$140.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$222.30$143.91RVU20D
2020-07-01$222.30$143.91RVU20C
2020-04-01$222.30$143.91RVU20B
2020-01-01$222.30$143.91RVU20A
2019-10-01$223.56$144.60RVU19D
2019-07-01$223.56$144.60RVU19C
2019-04-01$223.56$144.60RVU19B
2019-01-01$223.56$144.60RVU19A
2018-10-01$225.63$144.83RVU18D
2018-07-01$225.63$144.83RVU18C
2018-04-01$225.63$144.83RVU18B
2018-01-01$225.63$144.83RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$226.87$146.71RVU17D
2017-07-01$226.87$146.71RVU17C
2017-04-01$226.87$146.71RVU17B
2017-01-01$226.87$146.71RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 15261 for an earlier date of service

Where the Redding, CA rate applies

Redding, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 32 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Redding
  • Anderson
  • Bella Vista
  • Big Bend
  • Burney
  • Cassel
  • Castella
  • Centerville

Browse all communities in California

15261 billing questions

Which primary code must accompany 15261?

Report 15261 with 15260, the primary full-thickness graft code for the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips. It is not reported by itself.

How are units of 15261 counted?

After the initial 20 sq cm represented by 15260, each additional 20 sq cm or fraction supports one unit of 15261. Document the grafted recipient area.

Can the donor-site closure be billed separately?

Direct closure of the donor site is included in the full-thickness graft service described by this code family.

Does 15261 describe a skin-substitute graft?

No. It applies to additional area treated with a free full-thickness skin graft, not a skin-substitute product.

What documentation supports reporting 15261?

Document the nose, ear, eyelid, or lip recipient site, the full-thickness graft technique, and the measured graft area supporting the additional units.

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 15261PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,511 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Redding, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 19 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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