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CPT code 15275: Skin substitute, face and other specified sites2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports skin substitute application to wounds on the face, scalp, hands, feet, genitalia, or other specified sites within the smaller-area tier.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality198.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $181.06 for 15275 in the office and $91.35 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$181.06Office (non-facility)
$91.35Hospital or facility
+12.9%vs the national office rate ($160.32)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15275 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 15275 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15275 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 15275 covers

This code covers applying a skin substitute graft to wounds on the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, or feet. Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and wound care clinicians may use it for wounds such as chronic ulcers or defects after trauma or excision. The code represents the application service, not the skin substitute product itself.

Select this base code when the combined wound surface area at the specified sites is up to 100 square centimeters and the initial area is 25 square centimeters or less. For a larger qualifying area, use the applicable higher-area code; document wound locations, measurements, total area, and the material applied. The 0-day global includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, 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 15275

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15275 runs from $143.80 in Arkansas to $205.40 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $181.06. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15275 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$181.06
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$177.75−$3.31
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$174.40−$6.66
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$169.86−$11.20
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$183.30+$2.24
  6. Alaska · Alaska$193.17+$12.11
  7. Alabama · Alabama$145.65−$35.41

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

Every other payment area

15275 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$143.80$78.39
ArizonaArizona$156.44$82.65
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$167.88$84.42
Chico, CACalifornia$167.28$83.81
El Centro, CACalifornia$167.31$83.85
Fresno, CACalifornia$167.28$83.81
Hanford, CACalifornia$167.28$83.81
Madera, CACalifornia$167.28$83.81

15275 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.

$143.80

$193.17

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

View every state and territory as a table
15275 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$193.171
AL$145.651
AR$143.801
AZ$156.441
CA$167.28–$205.4029
CO$165.601
CT$170.171
DC$181.061
DE$158.821
FL$159.54–$174.403
GA$151.43–$163.352
GU$170.421
HI$170.421
IA$148.291
ID$149.271
IL$155.89–$169.864
IN$150.011
KS$147.971
KY$149.301
LA$149.21–$155.682
MA$164.91–$180.302
MD$161.50–$181.063
ME$150.26–$157.012
MI$152.99–$161.612
MN$158.351
MO$147.15–$155.823
MS$145.491
MT$160.311
NC$151.601
ND$156.361
NE$148.921
NH$163.351
NJ$172.02–$179.592
NM$153.851
NV$159.301
NY$153.63–$187.665
OH$152.181
OK$148.761
OR$157.96–$170.022
PA$152.23–$166.552
PR$161.261
RI$163.841
SC$152.161
SD$155.891
TN$148.661
TX$151.37–$165.148
UT$153.991
VA$156.76–$181.062
VI$161.261
VT$156.081
WA$164.49–$183.462
WI$151.751
WV$150.861
WY$158.591

See 15275 in every payment locality

How the 15275 rate is calculated

Each of 15275’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 · 15275

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.78

1.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.82

2.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.8000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$160.32

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

1,516

Code
15275
Physician work
1.78
Practice expense
2.82
Malpractice
0.20

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15275 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.78× 1.0541.8761
Practice expense2.82× 1.1783.3220
Malpractice0.20× 1.1130.2226
Total RVUs5.4207
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$181.06

Office: (1.78 × 1.054 + 2.82 × 1.178 + 0.2 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $181.06

Facility: (1.78 × 1.054 + 0.54 × 1.178 + 0.2 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $91.35

Open 15275 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15275

The CMS indicators that decide how 15275 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15275

Skin substitute, face and other specified sites

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

15275 without 51 · national office

$160.32

Skin substitute, face and other specified sites

15275-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$80.16

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 15275

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

Codes related to 15275
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15276Skin substitute graft, additional area, selected sitesAdd-on for each additional 25 square centimeters or part in the 15275 area tier.$37.56
Same family
15277Skin substitute graft, large area, special sitesInitial application code for the same sites when total wound area is 100 square centimeters or more.$407.64
15278Skin substitute graft, each additional 100 cm²Additional-area code in the higher-area tier for the same specified sites.$114.73
Used instead
15271Skin substitute graft, first 25 cm², trunk/limbsSkin substitute application code for wounds on the trunk, arms, or legs.$179.60
15240Skin graft, specified sites, 20 sq cm or lessFull-thickness skin graft code for specified sites; it describes a different graft method.$1,059.52

How 15275 has changed in Washington, DC area

15275 · Office / nonfacility

$181.06

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $175.40 to $181.06 (3.2%).

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

    $175.40changed to$181.06

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.83 changed to 1.78
    • Practice expense RVU 2.75 changed to 2.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.20
    • 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

    $180.89changed to$175.40

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $177.94changed to$180.89

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $185.31changed to$177.94

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.72 changed to 2.75
    • 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

    $192.05changed to$185.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $191.46changed to$192.05

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.68 changed to 2.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.20

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $186.44changed to$191.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.68
    • 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

    $179.59changed to$186.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $174.62changed to$179.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.25 changed to 2.36

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $173.05changed to$174.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.25
    • 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

    $172.89changed to$173.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • 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

    $173.98changed to$172.89

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $173.11changed to$173.98

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $176.08changed to$173.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 2.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.19
    • 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

    $175.46changed to$176.08

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.41 changed to 2.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • 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: $175.46

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$181.06$91.35RVU26D
2026-07-01$181.06$91.35RVU26C
2026-04-01$181.06$91.35RVU26B
2026-01-01$181.06$91.35RVU26A
2025-10-01$175.40$99.83RVU25D
2025-07-01$175.40$99.83RVU25C
2025-04-01$175.40$99.83RVU25B
2025-01-01$175.40$99.83RVU25A
2024-10-01$180.89$101.53RVU24D
2024-07-01$180.89$101.53RVU24C
2024-04-01$180.89$101.53RVU24B
2024-03-09$180.89$101.53RVU24AR
2024-01-01$177.94$99.88RVU24A
2023-10-01$185.31$103.44RVU23D
2023-07-01$185.31$103.44RVU23C
2023-04-01$185.31$103.44RVU23B
2023-01-01$185.31$103.44RVU23A
2022-10-01$192.05$106.07RVU22D
2022-07-01$192.05$106.07RVU22C
2022-04-01$192.05$106.07RVU22B
2022-01-01$192.05$106.07RVU22A
2021-10-01$191.46$106.93RVU21D
2021-07-01$191.46$106.93RVU21C
2021-04-01$191.46$106.93RVU21B
2021-01-01$191.46$106.93RVU21A
2020-10-01$186.44$110.20RVU20D
2020-07-01$186.44$110.20RVU20C
2020-04-01$186.44$110.20RVU20B
2020-01-01$186.44$110.20RVU20A
2019-10-01$179.59$108.80RVU19D
2019-07-01$179.59$108.80RVU19C
2019-04-01$179.59$108.80RVU19B
2019-01-01$179.59$108.80RVU19A
2018-10-01$174.62$109.12RVU18D
2018-07-01$174.62$109.12RVU18C
2018-04-01$174.62$109.12RVU18B
2018-01-01$174.62$109.12RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$173.05$109.47RVU17D
2017-07-01$173.05$109.47RVU17C
2017-04-01$173.05$109.47RVU17B
2017-01-01$173.05$109.47RVU17A
2016-10-01$172.89$109.04RVU16D
2016-07-01$172.89$109.04RVU16C
2016-04-01$172.89$109.04RVU16B
2016-01-01$172.89$109.04RVU16A
2015-10-01$173.98$110.33RVU15D
2015-07-01$173.98$110.33RVU15C
2015-04-01$173.11$109.78RVU15B
2015-01-01$173.11$109.78RVU15A
2014-10-01$176.08$113.65RVU14D
2014-07-01$176.08$113.65RVU14C
2014-04-01$176.08$113.65RVU14B
2014-01-01$176.08$113.65RVU14A
2013-10-01$175.46$115.55RVU13D
2013-07-01$175.46$115.55RVU13C
2013-04-01$175.46$115.55RVU13B
2013-01-01$175.46$115.55RVU13AR

Price 15275 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

15275 billing questions

When should 15275 be selected instead of 15277?

Use 15275 for the initial area when total wound surface area at the specified sites is up to 100 square centimeters. When the total reaches 100 square centimeters or more, use 15277 for the initial area.

How is additional wound area reported with 15275?

Code 15276 reports each additional 25 square centimeters or part thereof when the total wound area is in the 15275 size tier. For the higher-area tier, 15277 and 15278 provide the initial and additional-area reporting.

Does 15275 include the skin substitute product?

15275 reports the application service, not the product itself. The product may have separate HCPCS coding.

Can modifier 50 be used when wounds are on both hands or feet?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code; report the applicable service based on the qualifying sites and wound area.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported for 15275?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What documentation supports reporting 15275?

Document the specific wound sites, measured wound areas and their total, and the skin substitute application performed. These details support selection of the correct area tier and any additional-area code.

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 15275PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,516 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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