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CPT code 15610: Flap delay, arms or legs2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Reports staged surgical preparation of a flap on an arm or leg to improve its blood supply before a later reconstructive transfer.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality121 Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $418.78 for 15610 in the office and $250.79 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$418.78Office (non-facility)
$250.79Hospital or facility
+7.0%vs the national office rate ($391.46)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15610 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 15610 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 15610 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 15610 covers

This code covers a preparatory operation on a flap intended for later reconstruction of an arm or leg. The surgeon surgically alters or partially sections the planned flap so it can develop a more reliable blood supply before transfer. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons commonly perform this staged work in an operating room when a flap is planned for coverage of a traumatic or surgical defect. The later flap transfer is a distinct reconstructive step, not the delay procedure itself.

Report 15610 when the operative record supports flap preparation on an upper or lower extremity, rather than on another anatomic site. Document the flap location, the preparatory surgical work, and its role in the planned reconstruction. The code has a 90-day global period that includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same 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 for this code. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 Connecticut compares for 15610

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15610 runs from $343.02 in Arkansas to $524.49 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $418.78. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15610 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$418.78
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$444.15+$25.37
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$450.04+$31.26
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$425.01+$6.23
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$411.68−$7.10
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$452.77+$33.99
  7. Alaska · Alaska$445.44+$26.66

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

Every other payment area

15610 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$348.46$211.98
ArkansasArkansas$343.02$209.03
ArizonaArizona$380.29$229.14
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$415.88$244.92
Chico, CACalifornia$414.69$243.74
El Centro, CACalifornia$414.76$243.81
Fresno, CACalifornia$414.69$243.74
Hanford, CACalifornia$414.69$243.74

15610 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.

$343.02

$469.59

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

View every state and territory as a table
15610 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$445.441
AL$348.461
AR$343.021
AZ$380.291
CA$414.69–$524.4929
CO$408.271
CT$418.781
DC$450.041
DE$386.911
FL$385.52–$425.013
GA$362.26–$399.252
GU$426.001
HI$426.001
IA$357.901
ID$360.441
IL$373.67–$411.684
IN$362.691
KS$356.161
KY$357.491
LA$356.91–$375.952
MA$405.57–$450.572
MD$394.67–$450.043
ME$362.53–$383.622
MI$367.58–$390.752
MN$390.151
MO$350.35–$377.313
MS$346.761
MT$391.431
NC$366.611
ND$383.131
NE$360.001
NH$401.811
NJ$423.27–$444.832
NM$369.771
NV$389.411
NY$372.53–$464.545
OH$365.881
OK$356.741
OR$386.11–$421.962
PA$366.48–$407.752
PR$394.501
RI$401.251
SC$366.911
SD$382.141
TN$358.091
TX$363.89–$407.158
UT$372.311
VA$382.31–$450.042
VI$394.501
VT$381.581
WA$404.82–$460.022
WI$369.351
WV$358.831
WY$387.811

See 15610 in every payment locality

How the 15610 rate is calculated

Each of 15610’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 · 15610

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.46

2.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.84

8.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.42

0.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.7200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$391.46

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,525

Code
15610
Physician work
2.46
Practice expense
8.84
Malpractice
0.42

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 15610 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.46× 1.0202.5092
Practice expense8.84× 1.0779.5207
Malpractice0.42× 1.2100.5082
Total RVUs12.5381
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$418.78

Office: (2.46 × 1.02 + 8.84 × 1.077 + 0.42 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $418.78

Facility: (2.46 × 1.02 + 4.17 × 1.077 + 0.42 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $250.79

Open 15610 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15610

15610 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 15610

Flap delay, arms or legs

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are 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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.71/0.19Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 15610

Flap delay, arms or legs

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

15610 without 51 · national office

$391.46

Flap delay, arms or legs

15610-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$195.73

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 15610

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

Codes related to 15610
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Same family
15600Flap delay, trunk siteDelay procedure for a flap on the trunk.$400.09
15620Flap delay, face, neck, hand, foot, other sitesDelay procedure for specified face, scalp, neck, axilla, genital, hand, or foot sites.$494.91
15630Flap staging, eyelid, nose, ear, or lipDelay procedure for the eye, nose, ear, or lip.$500.96

How 15610 has changed in Connecticut

15610 · Office / nonfacility

$418.78

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $29.86 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $388.92 to $418.78 (7.7%).

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

    $388.92changed to$418.78

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.52 changed to 2.46
    • Practice expense RVU 8.14 changed to 8.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.47 changed to 0.42
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $399.79changed to$388.92

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.15 changed to 8.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.47

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $393.27changed to$399.79

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $407.15changed to$393.27

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.13 changed to 8.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.45
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $411.65changed to$407.15

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.98 changed to 8.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $413.06changed to$411.65

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.92 changed to 7.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $405.38changed to$413.06

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.33 changed to 7.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $401.07changed to$405.38

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.22 changed to 7.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.44
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $399.78changed to$401.07

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.21 changed to 7.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.42

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $399.10changed to$399.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.18 changed to 7.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.41
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $396.73changed to$399.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.11 changed to 7.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.42
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $399.77changed to$396.73

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.15 changed to 7.11

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $397.78changed to$399.77

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $391.30changed to$397.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.00 changed to 7.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $401.28changed to$391.30

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.80 changed to 7.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.45 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $401.28

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$418.78$250.79RVU26D
2026-07-01$418.78$250.79RVU26C
2026-04-01$418.78$250.79RVU26B
2026-01-01$418.78$250.79RVU26A
2025-10-01$388.92$260.46RVU25D
2025-07-01$388.92$260.46RVU25C
2025-04-01$388.92$260.46RVU25B
2025-01-01$388.92$260.46RVU25A
2024-10-01$399.79$264.69RVU24D
2024-07-01$399.79$264.69RVU24C
2024-04-01$399.79$264.69RVU24B
2024-03-09$399.79$264.69RVU24AR
2024-01-01$393.27$260.37RVU24A
2023-10-01$407.15$266.74RVU23D
2023-07-01$407.15$266.74RVU23C
2023-04-01$407.15$266.74RVU23B
2023-01-01$407.15$266.74RVU23A
2022-10-01$411.65$265.93RVU22D
2022-07-01$411.65$265.93RVU22C
2022-04-01$411.65$265.93RVU22B
2022-01-01$411.65$265.93RVU22A
2021-10-01$413.06$266.12RVU21D
2021-07-01$413.06$266.12RVU21C
2021-04-01$413.06$266.12RVU21B
2021-01-01$413.06$266.12RVU21A
2020-10-01$405.38$268.81RVU20D
2020-07-01$405.38$268.81RVU20C
2020-04-01$405.38$268.81RVU20B
2020-01-01$405.38$268.81RVU20A
2019-10-01$401.07$268.82RVU19D
2019-07-01$401.07$268.82RVU19C
2019-04-01$401.07$268.82RVU19B
2019-01-01$401.07$268.82RVU19A
2018-10-01$399.78$270.87RVU18D
2018-07-01$399.78$270.87RVU18C
2018-04-01$399.78$270.87RVU18B
2018-01-01$399.78$270.87RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$399.10$272.02RVU17D
2017-07-01$399.10$272.02RVU17C
2017-04-01$399.10$272.02RVU17B
2017-01-01$399.10$272.02RVU17A
2016-10-01$396.73$269.90RVU16D
2016-07-01$396.73$269.90RVU16C
2016-04-01$396.73$269.90RVU16B
2016-01-01$396.73$269.90RVU16A
2015-10-01$399.77$271.68RVU15D
2015-07-01$399.77$271.68RVU15C
2015-04-01$397.78$270.33RVU15B
2015-01-01$397.78$270.33RVU15A
2014-10-01$391.30$266.96RVU14D
2014-07-01$391.30$266.96RVU14C
2014-04-01$391.30$266.96RVU14B
2014-01-01$391.30$266.96RVU14A
2013-10-01$401.28$269.85RVU13D
2013-07-01$401.28$269.85RVU13C
2013-04-01$401.28$269.85RVU13B
2013-01-01$401.28$269.85RVU13AR

Price 15610 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

15610 billing questions

When is 15610 selected instead of another flap-delay code?

Use 15610 for flap preparation on an arm or leg. The related delay codes distinguish other anatomic regions, including the trunk, face or neck, and eye, nose, ear, or lip.

Does 15610 report the later flap transfer?

No. It reports the preparatory delay procedure on an extremity flap; the later transfer is a separate reconstructive step.

Can modifier 50 be used when both arms or legs are treated?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code. Report the service according to the applicable coding instructions for the documented procedures.

What documentation supports reporting 15610?

The operative note should identify the extremity site, describe the surgical preparation or sectioning of the flap, and connect that work to the planned reconstruction.

How does the global period affect postoperative visits?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.

When can an assistant-at-surgery be paid?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this 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 15610PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,525 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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