CPT code 15261: Skin graft, additional 20 sq cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Dakota
Reports each additional 20 sq cm, or fraction, of full-thickness skin grafting to the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips beyond the primary area.
In South Dakota, Medicare pays $201.10 for 15261 in the office and $105.91 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 South Dakota 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. South Dakota pays $201.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Dakota · this page$201.10
- Los Angeles, CA · California$230.28+$29.18
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$235.09+$33.99
- Miami, FL · Florida$228.21+$27.11
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$221.86+$20.76
- Manhattan, NY · New York$238.56+$37.46
- Alaska · Alaska$247.64+$46.54
Other areas in South Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $187.75 | $104.45 |
| 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 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $247.22 | $121.76 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $228.80 | $116.28 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $219.61 | $115.28 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $226.13 | $115.42 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $225.27 | $114.94 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $229.89 | $116.04 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $260.57 | $126.35 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $260.23 | $126.01 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $266.44 | $129.17 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $265.05 | $127.78 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $221.75 | $113.32 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $231.56 | $115.90 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $225.93 | $114.93 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $233.84 | $116.94 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $246.73 | $121.27 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $216.36 | $112.03 |
| ColoradoColorado | $214.45 | $113.16 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $220.95 | $118.43 |
| DelawareDelaware | $205.60 | $111.55 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $217.48 | $121.05 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $207.28 | $116.28 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $211.99 | $115.27 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $196.15 | $111.24 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $220.69 | $112.46 |
| IowaIowa | $191.06 | $103.96 |
| IdahoIdaho | $192.45 | $104.88 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $207.89 | $120.32 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $202.50 | $115.59 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $219.38 | $121.62 |
| IndianaIndiana | $193.46 | $105.22 |
| KansasKansas | $190.76 | $104.71 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $193.00 | $108.37 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $201.73 | $112.15 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $192.93 | $108.68 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $233.92 | $120.26 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $213.52 | $113.28 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $220.43 | $118.29 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $209.16 | $112.82 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $193.95 | $106.37 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $202.93 | $108.59 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $210.24 | $118.38 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $198.15 | $111.24 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $204.33 | $106.38 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $199.88 | $110.50 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $201.76 | $111.14 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $190.21 | $108.15 |
| MississippiMississippi | $187.73 | $105.77 |
| MontanaMontana | $207.73 | $112.54 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $195.74 | $106.93 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $201.80 | $106.61 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $191.88 | $104.01 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $211.64 | $112.54 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $233.04 | $122.62 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $223.15 | $119.20 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $199.37 | $112.08 |
| NevadaNevada | $206.21 | $110.92 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $244.65 | $131.47 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $225.02 | $120.78 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $239.62 | $127.10 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $198.51 | $108.08 |
| OhioOhio | $196.94 | $110.03 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $192.12 | $107.11 |
| Portland, OROregon | $220.25 | $114.49 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $204.28 | $109.46 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $216.13 | $117.03 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $196.93 | $109.54 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $208.98 | $112.74 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $212.18 | $113.85 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $196.73 | $108.77 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $191.72 | $105.19 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $214.02 | $113.31 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $195.77 | $109.14 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $205.00 | $110.67 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $206.48 | $111.67 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $205.36 | $111.50 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $205.73 | $111.21 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $211.22 | $116.70 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $200.39 | $110.06 |
| UtahUtah | $199.22 | $109.74 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $202.68 | $109.10 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $208.98 | $112.74 |
| VermontVermont | $201.55 | $107.31 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $212.94 | $112.70 |
| King County, WAWashington | $237.98 | $121.18 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $195.56 | $104.36 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $195.66 | $112.94 |
| WyomingWyoming | $205.15 | $109.96 |
15261 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.
$185.23
$247.64
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 | $247.64 | 1 |
| AL | $187.75 | 1 |
| AR | $185.23 | 1 |
| AZ | $202.43 | 1 |
| CA | $216.36–$266.44 | 29 |
| CO | $214.45 | 1 |
| CT | $220.95 | 1 |
| DC | $235.09 | 1 |
| DE | $205.60 | 1 |
| FL | $207.28–$228.21 | 3 |
| GA | $196.15–$211.99 | 2 |
| GU | $220.69 | 1 |
| HI | $220.69 | 1 |
| IA | $191.06 | 1 |
| ID | $192.45 | 1 |
| IL | $202.50–$221.86 | 4 |
| IN | $193.46 | 1 |
| KS | $190.76 | 1 |
| KY | $193.00 | 1 |
| LA | $192.93–$201.73 | 2 |
| MA | $213.52–$233.92 | 2 |
| MD | $209.16–$235.09 | 3 |
| ME | $193.95–$202.93 | 2 |
| MI | $198.15–$210.24 | 2 |
| MN | $204.33 | 1 |
| MO | $190.21–$201.76 | 3 |
| MS | $187.73 | 1 |
| MT | $207.73 | 1 |
| NC | $195.74 | 1 |
| ND | $201.80 | 1 |
| NE | $191.88 | 1 |
| NH | $211.64 | 1 |
| NJ | $223.15–$233.04 | 2 |
| NM | $199.37 | 1 |
| NV | $206.21 | 1 |
| NY | $198.51–$244.65 | 5 |
| OH | $196.94 | 1 |
| OK | $192.12 | 1 |
| OR | $204.28–$220.25 | 2 |
| PA | $196.93–$216.13 | 2 |
| PR | $208.98 | 1 |
| RI | $212.18 | 1 |
| SC | $196.73 | 1 |
| SD | $201.10 | 1 |
| TN | $191.72 | 1 |
| TX | $195.77–$214.02 | 8 |
| UT | $199.22 | 1 |
| VA | $202.68–$235.09 | 2 |
| VI | $208.98 | 1 |
| VT | $201.55 | 1 |
| WA | $212.94–$237.98 | 2 |
| WI | $195.56 | 1 |
| WV | $195.66 | 1 |
| WY | $205.15 | 1 |
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
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 South Dakota 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
94
- Locality
- South Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.336
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.17 | × 1.000 | 2.1700 |
| Practice expense | 3.75 | × 1.000 | 3.7500 |
| Malpractice | 0.30 | × 0.336 | 0.1008 |
| Total RVUs | 6.0208 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Dakota$201.10
Office: (2.17 × 1 + 3.75 × 1 + 0.3 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $201.10
Facility: (2.17 × 1 + 0.9 × 1 + 0.3 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $105.91
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| 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. |
How 15261 has changed in South Dakota
15261 · Office / nonfacility
$201.10
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $10.06 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $191.04 to $201.10 (5.3%).
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
$191.04changed to$201.10
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.382 changed to 0.336
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$197.60changed to$191.04
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.55
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$194.37changed to$197.60
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$202.06changed to$194.37
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$205.13changed to$202.06
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.59 changed to 3.62
- Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$207.76changed to$205.13
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$209.33changed to$207.76
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 3.46 changed to 3.62
- Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$210.55changed to$209.33
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$212.48changed to$210.55
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.48
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$212.26changed to$212.48
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.54
- Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$212.32changed to$212.26
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$211.72changed to$212.32
- 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.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$210.67changed to$211.72
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$210.84changed to$210.67
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$214.34changed to$210.84
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $214.34
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $201.10 | $105.91 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $201.10 | $105.91 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $201.10 | $105.91 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $201.10 | $105.91 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $191.04 | $123.76 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $191.04 | $123.76 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $191.04 | $123.76 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $191.04 | $123.76 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $197.60 | $127.03 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $197.60 | $127.03 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $197.60 | $127.03 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $197.60 | $127.03 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $194.37 | $124.95 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $202.06 | $129.55 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $202.06 | $129.55 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $202.06 | $129.55 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $202.06 | $129.55 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $205.13 | $131.07 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $205.13 | $131.07 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $205.13 | $131.07 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $205.13 | $131.07 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $207.76 | $132.39 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $207.76 | $132.39 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $207.76 | $132.39 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $207.76 | $132.39 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $209.33 | $136.07 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $209.33 | $136.07 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $209.33 | $136.07 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $209.33 | $136.07 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $210.55 | $137.03 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $210.55 | $137.03 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $210.55 | $137.03 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $210.55 | $137.03 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $212.48 | $137.24 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $212.48 | $137.24 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $212.48 | $137.24 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $212.48 | $137.24 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $212.26 | $137.97 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $212.26 | $137.97 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $212.26 | $137.97 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $212.26 | $137.97 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $212.32 | $137.49 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $212.32 | $137.49 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $212.32 | $137.49 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $212.32 | $137.49 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $211.72 | $137.70 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $211.72 | $137.70 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $210.67 | $137.01 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $210.67 | $137.01 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $210.84 | $137.40 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $210.84 | $137.40 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $210.84 | $137.40 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $210.84 | $137.40 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $214.34 | $135.75 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $214.34 | $135.75 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $214.34 | $135.75 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $214.34 | $135.75 | RVU13AR |
Where the South Dakota rate applies
South Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in South Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Agar
- Agency Village
- Akaska
- Albee
- Alcester
- Alexandria
- Allen
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
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