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CPT code 15261: Skin graft, additional 20 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

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 Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $235.09 for 15261 in the office and $122.96 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$235.09Office (non-facility)
$122.96Hospital or facility
+13.2%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 Washington, DC area
  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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $235.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15261 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$235.09
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$230.28−$4.81
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$228.21−$6.88
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$221.86−$13.23
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$238.56+$3.47
  6. Alaska · Alaska$247.64+$12.55
  7. Alabama · Alabama$187.75−$47.34

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

Every other payment area

15261 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$185.23$103.46
ArizonaArizona$202.43$110.19
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$217.24$112.91
Chico, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03
El Centro, CACalifornia$216.41$112.08
Fresno, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03
Hanford, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03
Madera, CACalifornia$216.36$112.03

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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15261 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.17× 1.0542.2872
Practice expense3.75× 1.1784.4175
Malpractice0.30× 1.1130.3339
Total RVUs7.0386
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$235.09

Office: (2.17 × 1.054 + 3.75 × 1.178 + 0.3 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $235.09

Facility: (2.17 × 1.054 + 0.9 × 1.178 + 0.3 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $122.96

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, Washington, DC area
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.$1,129.35
Used instead
15241Skin graft, each additional 20 cm²Parallel additional-area code for the full-thickness graft site group represented by 15240.$203.56
15240Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or lessPrimary full-thickness graft code for a different facial and other specified site group.$1,059.52
15276Skin substitute graft, additional area, selected sitesAdditional-area code for skin-substitute grafting at specified sites, rather than a full-thickness skin graft.$37.56

How 15261 has changed in Washington, DC area

15261 · Office / nonfacility

$235.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.50 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $225.59 to $235.09 (4.2%).

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

    $225.59changed to$235.09

    • 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 1.057 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

    $233.34changed to$225.59

    • 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

    $229.53changed to$233.34

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $241.66changed to$229.53

    • 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 1.056 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

    $248.78changed to$241.66

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.59 changed to 3.62
    • 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

    $251.68changed to$248.78

    • 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

    $250.72changed to$251.68

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.46 changed to 3.62
    • 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

    $250.56changed to$250.72

    • 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 1.045 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

    $252.89changed to$250.56

    • 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

    $252.91changed to$252.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.54
    • 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

    $253.55changed to$252.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • 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

    $252.25changed to$253.55

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $250.99changed to$252.25

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $250.12changed to$250.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.51 changed to 3.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.33
    • 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

    $253.18changed to$250.12

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.91 changed to 3.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • 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: $253.18

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$235.09$122.96RVU26D
2026-07-01$235.09$122.96RVU26C
2026-04-01$235.09$122.96RVU26B
2026-01-01$235.09$122.96RVU26A
2025-10-01$225.59$145.39RVU25D
2025-07-01$225.59$145.39RVU25C
2025-04-01$225.59$145.39RVU25B
2025-01-01$225.59$145.39RVU25A
2024-10-01$233.34$149.22RVU24D
2024-07-01$233.34$149.22RVU24C
2024-04-01$233.34$149.22RVU24B
2024-03-09$233.34$149.22RVU24AR
2024-01-01$229.53$146.79RVU24A
2023-10-01$241.66$153.62RVU23D
2023-07-01$241.66$153.62RVU23C
2023-04-01$241.66$153.62RVU23B
2023-01-01$241.66$153.62RVU23A
2022-10-01$248.78$157.24RVU22D
2022-07-01$248.78$157.24RVU22C
2022-04-01$248.78$157.24RVU22B
2022-01-01$248.78$157.24RVU22A
2021-10-01$251.68$158.53RVU21D
2021-07-01$251.68$158.53RVU21C
2021-04-01$251.68$158.53RVU21B
2021-01-01$251.68$158.53RVU21A
2020-10-01$250.72$161.26RVU20D
2020-07-01$250.72$161.26RVU20C
2020-04-01$250.72$161.26RVU20B
2020-01-01$250.72$161.26RVU20A
2019-10-01$250.56$161.97RVU19D
2019-07-01$250.56$161.97RVU19C
2019-04-01$250.56$161.97RVU19B
2019-01-01$250.56$161.97RVU19A
2018-10-01$252.89$162.23RVU18D
2018-07-01$252.89$162.23RVU18C
2018-04-01$252.89$162.23RVU18B
2018-01-01$252.89$162.23RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$252.91$163.39RVU17D
2017-07-01$252.91$163.39RVU17C
2017-04-01$252.91$163.39RVU17B
2017-01-01$252.91$163.39RVU17A
2016-10-01$253.55$163.38RVU16D
2016-07-01$253.55$163.38RVU16C
2016-04-01$253.55$163.38RVU16B
2016-01-01$253.55$163.38RVU16A
2015-10-01$252.25$163.05RVU15D
2015-07-01$252.25$163.05RVU15C
2015-04-01$250.99$162.24RVU15B
2015-01-01$250.99$162.24RVU15A
2014-10-01$250.12$161.85RVU14D
2014-07-01$250.12$161.85RVU14C
2014-04-01$250.12$161.85RVU14B
2014-01-01$250.12$161.85RVU14A
2013-10-01$253.18$159.03RVU13D
2013-07-01$253.18$159.03RVU13C
2013-04-01$253.18$159.03RVU13B
2013-01-01$253.18$159.03RVU13AR

Price 15261 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

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 Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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