CPT code 15271: Skin substitute graft, first 25 cm², trunk/limbs2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Reports skin substitute graft application to trunk, arms, or legs for a treated wound area up to 100 cm², beginning with the first 25 cm².

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality292K Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $153.50 for 15271 in the office and $71.49 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$153.50Office (non-facility)
$71.49Hospital or facility
−2.8%vs the national office rate ($157.99)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15271 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 15271 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 15271 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 15271 covers

This service covers preparing the wound bed when performed and applying a skin substitute graft to wounds on the trunk, arms, or legs. It is commonly performed by surgeons and wound care clinicians in office, clinic, or facility settings for wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers on the leg or chronic ulcers on the trunk. The code represents the application service, not the skin substitute product itself; the product may be reported separately under an applicable product code when billing rules allow.

Choose 15271 when the combined treated wound area is up to 100 cm², for the first 25 cm² or less. Report 15272 for each additional 25 cm² or part of that amount within the 100 cm² range; use the larger-area code family when the total exceeds 100 cm². Document wound locations, measured treated area, wound-bed preparation, and graft application. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Do not append modifier 50. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 Vermont compares for 15271

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15271 runs from $140.17 in Arkansas to $205.27 in San Benito County, CA. Vermont pays $153.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15271 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$153.50
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$176.33+$22.83
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$179.60+$26.10
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$172.90+$19.40
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$167.92+$14.42
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$181.78+$28.28
  7. Alaska · Alaska$185.86+$32.36

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

Every other payment area

15271 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$142.17$69.69
ArkansasArkansas$140.17$69.02
ArizonaArizona$153.81$73.54
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$165.98$75.20
Chico, CACalifornia$165.37$74.59
El Centro, CACalifornia$165.41$74.62
Fresno, CACalifornia$165.37$74.59
Hanford, CACalifornia$165.37$74.59

15271 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.

$140.17

$185.86

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

View every state and territory as a table
15271 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$185.861
AL$142.171
AR$140.171
AZ$153.811
CA$165.37–$205.2729
CO$163.581
CT$168.301
DC$179.601
DE$156.301
FL$157.02–$172.903
GA$148.29–$161.182
GU$169.041
HI$169.041
IA$145.071
ID$146.111
IL$153.04–$167.924
IN$146.921
KS$144.701
KY$146.051
LA$145.94–$152.912
MA$162.76–$179.042
MD$159.13–$179.603
ME$147.16–$154.482
MI$150.00–$159.222
MN$156.011
MO$143.70–$153.093
MS$141.951
MT$157.971
NC$148.611
ND$153.821
NE$145.751
NH$161.301
NJ$170.02–$177.892
NM$150.911
NV$156.921
NY$150.79–$186.445
OH$149.151
OK$145.491
OR$155.49–$168.322
PA$149.22–$164.412
PR$159.011
RI$161.531
SC$149.171
SD$153.331
TN$145.441
TX$148.29–$163.218
UT$151.141
VA$154.19–$179.602
VI$159.011
VT$153.501
WA$162.36–$182.342
WI$148.841
WV$147.621
WY$156.161

See 15271 in every payment locality

How the 15271 rate is calculated

Each of 15271’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 · 15271

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.46

1.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.06

3.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.21

0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.7300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$157.99

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

The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,512

Code
15271
Physician work
1.46
Practice expense
3.06
Malpractice
0.21

GPCI2026.csv

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 15271 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.46× 1.0001.4600
Practice expense3.06× 0.9903.0294
Malpractice0.21× 0.5060.1063
Total RVUs4.5957
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$153.50

Office: (1.46 × 1 + 3.06 × 0.99 + 0.21 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $153.50

Facility: (1.46 × 1 + 0.58 × 0.99 + 0.21 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $71.49

Open 15271 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15271

The CMS indicators that decide how 15271 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15271

Skin substitute graft, first 25 cm², trunk/limbs

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

15271 without 51 · national office

$157.99

Skin substitute graft, first 25 cm², trunk/limbs

15271-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$79.00

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

How 15271 has changed in Vermont

15271 · Office / nonfacility

$153.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.96 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $144.54 to $153.50 (6.2%).

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

    $144.54changed to$153.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.50 changed to 1.46
    • Practice expense RVU 2.88 changed to 3.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $149.91changed to$144.54

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $147.47changed to$149.91

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $152.18changed to$147.47

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.88 changed to 2.91
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $156.70changed to$152.18

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.88
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $155.55changed to$156.70

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.83 changed to 2.90

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $152.09changed to$155.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.56 changed to 2.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $147.45changed to$152.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $143.27changed to$147.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.32 changed to 2.43

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $140.93changed to$143.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $140.79changed to$140.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.28 changed to 2.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $141.55changed to$140.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $140.84changed to$141.55

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $140.49changed to$140.84

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.26 changed to 2.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$140.49

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$153.50$71.49RVU26D
2026-07-01$153.50$71.49RVU26C
2026-04-01$153.50$71.49RVU26B
2026-01-01$153.50$71.49RVU26A
2025-10-01$144.54$78.06RVU25D
2025-07-01$144.54$78.06RVU25C
2025-04-01$144.54$78.06RVU25B
2025-01-01$144.54$78.06RVU25A
2024-10-01$149.91$79.51RVU24D
2024-07-01$149.91$79.51RVU24C
2024-04-01$149.91$79.51RVU24B
2024-03-09$149.91$79.51RVU24AR
2024-01-01$147.47$78.21RVU24A
2023-10-01$152.18$80.22RVU23D
2023-07-01$152.18$80.22RVU23C
2023-04-01$152.18$80.22RVU23B
2023-01-01$152.18$80.22RVU23A
2022-10-01$156.70$81.88RVU22D
2022-07-01$156.70$81.88RVU22C
2022-04-01$156.70$81.88RVU22B
2022-01-01$156.70$81.88RVU22A
2021-10-01$155.55$82.21RVU21D
2021-07-01$155.55$82.21RVU21C
2021-04-01$155.55$82.21RVU21B
2021-01-01$155.55$82.21RVU21A
2020-10-01$152.09$85.16RVU20D
2020-07-01$152.09$85.16RVU20C
2020-04-01$152.09$85.16RVU20B
2020-01-01$152.09$85.16RVU20A
2019-10-01$147.45$84.53RVU19D
2019-07-01$147.45$84.53RVU19C
2019-04-01$147.45$84.53RVU19B
2019-01-01$147.45$84.53RVU19A
2018-10-01$143.27$84.81RVU18D
2018-07-01$143.27$84.81RVU18C
2018-04-01$143.27$84.81RVU18B
2018-01-01$143.27$84.81RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$140.93$85.11RVU17D
2017-07-01$140.93$85.11RVU17C
2017-04-01$140.93$85.11RVU17B
2017-01-01$140.93$85.11RVU17A
2016-10-01$140.79$85.08RVU16D
2016-07-01$140.79$85.08RVU16C
2016-04-01$140.79$85.08RVU16B
2016-01-01$140.79$85.08RVU16A
2015-10-01$141.55$85.27RVU15D
2015-07-01$141.55$85.27RVU15C
2015-04-01$140.84$84.84RVU15B
2015-01-01$140.84$84.84RVU15A
2014-10-01$140.49$85.35RVU14D
2014-07-01$140.49$85.35RVU14C
2014-04-01$140.49$85.35RVU14B
2014-01-01$140.49$85.35RVU14A
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 15271 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

15271 billing questions

When should 15271 be selected instead of 15273?

Use 15271 when the combined treated wound area on the trunk, arms, or legs is up to 100 cm². For a total area greater than 100 cm², use the larger-area code family beginning with 15273.

How are additional wound-area units reported?

15271 covers the first 25 cm² or less. Report add-on code 15272 for each additional 25 cm² or part thereof, within the up-to-100 cm² range.

Can the skin substitute product be billed separately?

The application service is distinct from the product. The product may be reported with its applicable product code when billing rules allow.

Should modifier 50 be used when both sides are treated?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code, even when treatment involves both sides of the body.

What documentation supports 15271?

Record the treated wound locations, total treated surface area, wound-bed preparation when performed, and the graft application. The measurements support selection of the initial and any add-on area codes.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare payment for an assistant at surgery is statutorily restricted for this code. Co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 15271PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,512 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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