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CPT code 15277: Skin substitute graft, large area, special sites2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports skin substitute graft application to a large wound on the face, scalp, neck, hands, feet, or other designated sites.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $407.64 for 15277 in the office and $214.84 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$407.64Office (non-facility)
$214.84Hospital or facility
+12.9%vs the national office rate ($361.06)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15277 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 15277 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15277 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 15277 covers

This code covers application of a skin substitute graft to a wound involving at least 100 square centimeters at designated sites, including the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, and feet. For infants and children, the area threshold is expressed as the first 1% of body surface area. Plastic surgeons, other surgeons, podiatrists, and wound-care clinicians may perform the service for appropriate burns, traumatic wounds, or chronic wound defects in office, outpatient, or facility settings.

Report this as the initial-area service; code 15278 represents each additional area increment when warranted. Document the wound location and treated surface area, or the infant’s or child’s body-surface-area calculation, along with the graft application. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in its 0-day global period. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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 15277

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15277 runs from $320.36 in Arkansas to $455.92 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $407.64. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15277 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$407.64
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$396.33−$11.31
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$405.81−$1.83
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$393.72−$13.92
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$416.85+$9.21
  6. Alaska · Alaska$429.01+$21.37
  7. Alabama · Alabama$324.89−$82.75

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

Every other payment area

15277 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$320.36$179.78
ArizonaArizona$351.23$192.64
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$374.15$194.77
Chico, CACalifornia$372.15$192.78
El Centro, CACalifornia$372.27$192.90
Fresno, CACalifornia$372.15$192.78
Hanford, CACalifornia$372.15$192.78
Madera, CACalifornia$372.15$192.78

15277 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.

$320.36

$429.01

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

View every state and territory as a table
15277 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$429.011
AL$324.891
AR$320.361
AZ$351.231
CA$372.15–$455.9229
CO$370.691
CT$384.591
DC$407.641
DE$356.831
FL$363.88–$405.813
GA$343.25–$369.532
GU$379.451
HI$379.451
IA$329.161
ID$332.001
IL$356.40–$393.724
IN$333.761
KS$329.421
KY$336.061
LA$336.25–$352.072
MA$369.31–$403.972
MD$362.91–$407.643
ME$335.53–$350.452
MI$346.11–$370.082
MN$350.371
MO$331.87–$351.173
MS$326.091
MT$361.021
NC$338.631
ND$346.981
NE$330.371
NH$366.591
NJ$387.63–$404.022
NM$348.641
NV$357.311
NY$343.67–$428.865
OH$343.241
OK$333.621
OR$353.19–$380.062
PA$342.78–$376.482
PR$362.991
RI$367.811
SC$341.771
SD$345.321
TN$331.241
TX$340.74–$370.638
UT$346.221
VA$350.57–$407.642
VI$362.991
VT$347.281
WA$368.06–$410.252
WI$335.961
WV$344.161
WY$354.901

See 15277 in every payment locality

How the 15277 rate is calculated

Each of 15277’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 · 15277

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.90

3.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.20

6.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.71

0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

10.8100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$361.06

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

1,518

Code
15277
Physician work
3.90
Practice expense
6.20
Malpractice
0.71

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15277 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.90× 1.0544.1106
Practice expense6.20× 1.1787.3036
Malpractice0.71× 1.1130.7902
Total RVUs12.2044
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$407.64

Office: (3.9 × 1.054 + 6.2 × 1.178 + 0.71 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $407.64

Facility: (3.9 × 1.054 + 1.3 × 1.178 + 0.71 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $214.84

Open 15277 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15277

The CMS indicators that decide how 15277 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 15277

Skin substitute graft, large area, special 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)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
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

15277 without 51 · national office

$361.06

Skin substitute graft, large area, special sites

15277-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$180.53

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 15277

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

Codes related to 15277
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
15278Skin substitute graft, each additional 100 cm²Add-on code for each additional area increment after the initial area reported with 15277.$114.73
Same family
15275Skin substitute, face and other specified sitesInitial-area application code for the same special-site group at the smaller-area tier.$181.06
15276Skin substitute graft, additional area, selected sitesAdditional-area code associated with the smaller-area special-site tier.$37.56
Used instead
15273Skin substitute graft, large trunk or limb wound areaLarge-area skin substitute application code for trunk, arms, or legs rather than special sites.$363.83
15274Skin substitute, each additional 100 sq cmAdditional-area code for large wounds on the trunk, arms, or legs.$98.70

How 15277 has changed in Washington, DC area

15277 · Office / nonfacility

$407.64

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $32.38 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $375.26 to $407.64 (8.6%).

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

    $375.26changed to$407.64

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.00 changed to 3.90
    • Practice expense RVU 5.49 changed to 6.20
    • 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

    $386.97changed to$375.26

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.50 changed to 5.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.72 changed to 0.71

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $380.65changed to$386.97

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $404.38changed to$380.65

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.62 changed to 5.50
    • 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

    $420.69changed to$404.38

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.66 changed to 5.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.72
    • 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

    $417.21changed to$420.69

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.53 changed to 5.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.73

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $407.99changed to$417.21

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.09 changed to 5.53
    • 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

    $393.06changed to$407.99

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.86 changed to 5.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
    • 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

    $386.14changed to$393.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.70 changed to 4.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $381.69changed to$386.14

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.63 changed to 4.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.68 changed to 0.70
    • 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

    $375.32changed to$381.69

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.52 changed to 4.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.68
    • 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

    $378.03changed to$375.32

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.53 changed to 4.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $376.15changed to$378.03

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $362.80changed to$376.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.37 changed to 4.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.67
    • 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

    $337.45changed to$362.80

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.22 changed to 4.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.56
    • 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: $337.45

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$407.64$214.84RVU26D
2026-07-01$407.64$214.84RVU26C
2026-04-01$407.64$214.84RVU26B
2026-01-01$407.64$214.84RVU26A
2025-10-01$375.26$239.16RVU25D
2025-07-01$375.26$239.16RVU25C
2025-04-01$375.26$239.16RVU25B
2025-01-01$375.26$239.16RVU25A
2024-10-01$386.97$243.73RVU24D
2024-07-01$386.97$243.73RVU24C
2024-04-01$386.97$243.73RVU24B
2024-03-09$386.97$243.73RVU24AR
2024-01-01$380.65$239.75RVU24A
2023-10-01$404.38$252.57RVU23D
2023-07-01$404.38$252.57RVU23C
2023-04-01$404.38$252.57RVU23B
2023-01-01$404.38$252.57RVU23A
2022-10-01$420.69$259.86RVU22D
2022-07-01$420.69$259.86RVU22C
2022-04-01$420.69$259.86RVU22B
2022-01-01$420.69$259.86RVU22A
2021-10-01$417.21$260.23RVU21D
2021-07-01$417.21$260.23RVU21C
2021-04-01$417.21$260.23RVU21B
2021-01-01$417.21$260.23RVU21A
2020-10-01$407.99$267.42RVU20D
2020-07-01$407.99$267.42RVU20C
2020-04-01$407.99$267.42RVU20B
2020-01-01$407.99$267.42RVU20A
2019-10-01$393.06$264.95RVU19D
2019-07-01$393.06$264.95RVU19C
2019-04-01$393.06$264.95RVU19B
2019-01-01$393.06$264.95RVU19A
2018-10-01$386.14$265.98RVU18D
2018-07-01$386.14$265.98RVU18C
2018-04-01$386.14$265.98RVU18B
2018-01-01$386.14$265.98RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$381.69$263.63RVU17D
2017-07-01$381.69$263.63RVU17C
2017-04-01$381.69$263.63RVU17B
2017-01-01$381.69$263.63RVU17A
2016-10-01$375.32$259.70RVU16D
2016-07-01$375.32$259.70RVU16C
2016-04-01$375.32$259.70RVU16B
2016-01-01$375.32$259.70RVU16A
2015-10-01$378.03$261.55RVU15D
2015-07-01$378.03$261.55RVU15C
2015-04-01$376.15$260.25RVU15B
2015-01-01$376.15$260.25RVU15A
2014-10-01$362.80$250.41RVU14D
2014-07-01$362.80$250.41RVU14C
2014-04-01$362.80$250.41RVU14B
2014-01-01$362.80$250.41RVU14A
2013-10-01$337.45$239.22RVU13D
2013-07-01$337.45$239.22RVU13C
2013-04-01$337.45$239.22RVU13B
2013-01-01$337.45$239.22RVU13AR

Price 15277 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

15277 billing questions

How is 15277 distinguished from 15275?

Both apply to the designated special sites. Use 15277 for the initial area when the wound area reaches the large-area threshold, including the first 1% of body surface area for an infant or child; 15275 is for the smaller-area tier.

When is 15278 reported with 15277?

15278 reports each additional area increment after the initial area represented by 15277. The wound-area documentation should support the additional increment.

Should modifier 50 be used for wounds on both hands or feet?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Report based on the applicable treated-area rules.

Is same-day wound care included in the global period?

The code has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; team surgery is not permitted.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect 15277?

When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

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 15277PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,518 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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