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CPT code 15731: Forehead flap, vascular pedicle2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports transfer of forehead tissue on its vascular pedicle, commonly for staged reconstruction of a nasal defect after cancer removal, trauma, or tissue loss.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.6K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $1,136.14 for 15731 in the office and $868.51 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,136.14Office (non-facility)
$868.51Hospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($1,148.32)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15731 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 15731 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 15731 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 15731 covers

A surgeon raises forehead tissue while keeping its blood supply attached, then transfers it to cover a defect, most commonly on the nose. This staged flap is often used by plastic, facial plastic, or otolaryngology surgeons when a nasal defect needs more vascularized tissue than a graft can provide. The flap remains connected to the forehead until a later operation divides and insets it.

Select this code for the forehead flap transfer, based on the flap used and its attached vascular pedicle—not simply because the defect is on the nose. The operative report should identify the donor tissue, recipient defect, and flap transfer. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care for 90 days. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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 Delaware compares for 15731

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15731 runs from $1,027.85 in Arkansas to $1,435.65 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $1,136.14. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15731 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$1,136.14
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,254.87+$118.73
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,290.01+$153.87
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,282.56+$146.42
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,247.21+$111.07
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,318.77+$182.63
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,389.93+$253.79

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

Every other payment area

15731 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$1,041.23$804.21
ArkansasArkansas$1,027.85$795.16
ArizonaArizona$1,119.16$856.68
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,187.69$890.81
Chico, CACalifornia$1,181.54$884.65
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,181.90$885.01
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,181.54$884.65
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,181.54$884.65

15731 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.

$1,027.85

$1,389.93

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

View every state and territory as a table
15731 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,389.931
AL$1,041.231
AR$1,027.851
AZ$1,119.161
CA$1,181.54–$1,435.6529
CO$1,177.241
CT$1,219.561
DC$1,290.011
DE$1,136.141
FL$1,157.50–$1,282.563
GA$1,096.32–$1,173.832
GU$1,201.601
HI$1,201.601
IA$1,053.491
ID$1,061.971
IL$1,135.62–$1,247.214
IN$1,067.161
KS$1,054.451
KY$1,074.701
LA$1,075.34–$1,122.142
MA$1,173.56–$1,277.722
MD$1,154.45–$1,290.013
ME$1,072.62–$1,116.472
MI$1,104.60–$1,176.062
MN$1,115.651
MO$1,062.48–$1,119.253
MS$1,045.081
MT$1,148.181
NC$1,081.751
ND$1,105.871
NE$1,057.001
NH$1,164.341
NJ$1,229.98–$1,280.062
NM$1,112.181
NV$1,136.991
NY$1,096.67–$1,354.575
OH$1,095.951
OK$1,067.271
OR$1,124.66–$1,205.072
PA$1,094.49–$1,195.502
PR$1,153.941
RI$1,169.581
SC$1,091.351
SD$1,100.861
TN$1,059.851
TX$1,088.48–$1,176.418
UT$1,104.521
VA$1,116.96–$1,290.012
VI$1,153.941
VT$1,106.931
WA$1,169.58–$1,296.802
WI$1,073.301
WV$1,099.411
WY$1,129.741

See 15731 in every payment locality

How the 15731 rate is calculated

Each of 15731’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 · 15731

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work14.02

14.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense18.22

18.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice2.14

2.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

34.3800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,148.32

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,530

Code
15731
Physician work
14.02
Practice expense
18.22
Malpractice
2.14

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 15731 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work14.02× 1.00514.0901
Practice expense18.22× 0.98818.0014
Malpractice2.14× 0.8991.9239
Total RVUs34.0153
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$1136.14

Office: (14.02 × 1.005 + 18.22 × 0.988 + 2.14 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $1136.14

Facility: (14.02 × 1.005 + 10.11 × 0.988 + 2.14 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $868.51

Open 15731 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15731

15731 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 15731

Forehead flap, vascular pedicle

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 · 15731

Forehead flap, vascular pedicle

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

15731 without 51 · national office

$1,148.32

Forehead flap, vascular pedicle

15731-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$574.16

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 15731

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

Codes related to 15731
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Often billed with
15630Flap staging, eyelid, nose, ear, or lipMay represent a later operation dividing and insetting the flap at the nose.$464.97
Used instead
15730Midface flap, vascular pedicle preservedUses a midface flap with a preserved vascular pedicle rather than forehead tissue.$1,426.34
15740Island flap, subcutaneous vascular pedicleDescribes an island pedicle flap rather than a forehead flap.$1,037.93
15757Free flap, skin flap with microvascular hookupDescribes free skin-flap transfer with microvascular anastomosis, not an attached forehead pedicle.No office rate
15760Composite graft, multiple tissue typesA composite skin graft may be used for a defect suited to grafting rather than a vascularized forehead flap.$848.62

How 15731 has changed in Delaware

15731 · Office / nonfacility

$1136.14

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $45.05 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1091.09 to $1136.14 (4.1%).

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

    $1091.09changed to$1136.14

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 14.38 changed to 14.02
    • Practice expense RVU 17.32 changed to 18.22
    • Malpractice RVU 2.15 changed to 2.14
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1120.14changed to$1091.09

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 17.21 changed to 17.32
    • Malpractice RVU 2.18 changed to 2.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1101.86changed to$1120.14

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1142.96changed to$1101.86

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 17.13 changed to 17.21
    • Malpractice RVU 2.13 changed to 2.18
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1160.02changed to$1142.96

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 16.69 changed to 17.13
    • Malpractice RVU 2.17 changed to 2.13
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1157.71changed to$1160.02

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 16.41 changed to 16.69
    • Malpractice RVU 2.11 changed to 2.17

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1174.80changed to$1157.71

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 15.63 changed to 16.41
    • Malpractice RVU 2.08 changed to 2.11
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1178.38changed to$1174.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 15.45 changed to 15.63
    • Malpractice RVU 2.21 changed to 2.08
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1174.15changed to$1178.38

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 15.37 changed to 15.45

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1179.17changed to$1174.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 15.49 changed to 15.37
    • Malpractice RVU 2.23 changed to 2.21
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1181.59changed to$1179.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 15.52 changed to 15.49
    • Malpractice RVU 2.26 changed to 2.23
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $1185.79changed to$1181.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 15.55 changed to 15.52
    • Malpractice RVU 2.23 changed to 2.26

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1179.89changed to$1185.79

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1170.01changed to$1179.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 15.50 changed to 15.55
    • Malpractice RVU 2.30 changed to 2.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $1157.26changed to$1170.01

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 17.09 changed to 15.50
    • Malpractice RVU 2.41 changed to 2.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $1157.26

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,136.14$868.51RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,136.14$868.51RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,136.14$868.51RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,136.14$868.51RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,091.09$970.44RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,091.09$970.44RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,091.09$970.44RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,091.09$970.44RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,120.14$993.01RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,120.14$993.01RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,120.14$993.01RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,120.14$993.01RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,101.86$976.80RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,142.96$1,010.90RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,142.96$1,010.90RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,142.96$1,010.90RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,142.96$1,010.90RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,160.02$1,023.15RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,160.02$1,023.15RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,160.02$1,023.15RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,160.02$1,023.15RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,157.71$1,021.49RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,157.71$1,021.49RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,157.71$1,021.49RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,157.71$1,021.49RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,174.80$1,048.78RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,174.80$1,048.78RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,174.80$1,048.78RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,174.80$1,048.78RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,178.38$1,057.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,178.38$1,057.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,178.38$1,057.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,178.38$1,057.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,174.15$1,057.13RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,174.15$1,057.13RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,174.15$1,057.13RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,174.15$1,057.13RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,179.17$1,063.29RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,179.17$1,063.29RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,179.17$1,063.29RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,179.17$1,063.29RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,181.59$1,064.57RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,181.59$1,064.57RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,181.59$1,064.57RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,181.59$1,064.57RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,185.79$1,067.24RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,185.79$1,067.24RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,179.89$1,061.93RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,179.89$1,061.93RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,170.01$1,053.25RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,170.01$1,053.25RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,170.01$1,053.25RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,170.01$1,053.25RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,157.26$1,031.52RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,157.26$1,031.52RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,157.26$1,031.52RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,157.26$1,031.52RVU13AR

Price 15731 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

15731 billing questions

When is this code appropriate for nasal reconstruction?

Use it when the surgeon transfers forehead tissue to the defect while keeping its vascular pedicle attached. The recipient site alone does not determine code selection.

Is division of the flap included in this service?

The initial transfer leaves the flap attached to its forehead blood supply. A later operation to divide and inset a flap at the nose is represented by a separate service, such as 15630 when its descriptor and circumstances fit.

Can modifier 50 be reported?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

How does the 90-day global period affect follow-up billing?

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

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be billed?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. CMS does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery for this code.

How are other procedures in the same session paid?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure 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 15731PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,530 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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