CPT code 15736: Flap reconstruction, upper extremity2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports transfer of a muscle, muscle-and-skin, or fascia-and-skin flap to cover an upper-extremity defect while maintaining its blood supply.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $1,041.46 for 15736 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15736 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 15736 covers
Use 15736 for moving a muscle, muscle-and-skin, or fascia-and-skin flap to cover a defect in the upper extremity while maintaining its vascular connection. Plastic or reconstructive, hand, and orthopedic surgeons may perform this reconstruction after trauma, tumor removal, or another operation leaves exposed structures or inadequate soft-tissue coverage. It is a flap transfer, not a free flap requiring microvascular reconnection.
Choose the code by recipient anatomy and the flap technique documented in the operative report. Record the defect, flap composition and source, retained blood supply, and transfer performed. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care through day 90. When multiple procedures occur in the same 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; 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 North Carolina compares for 15736
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 15736 runs from $994.76 in Arkansas to $1,367.99 in Alaska. North Carolina pays $1,041.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$1,041.46
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,178.45+$136.99
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,233.07+$191.61
- Miami, FL · Florida$1,298.57+$257.11
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,260.53+$219.07
- Manhattan, NY · New York$1,283.78+$242.32
- Alaska · Alaska$1,367.99+$326.53
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $1,007.53 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $994.76 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $1,081.50 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $1,121.37 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.74 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $1,233.60 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $1,166.26 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $1,147.79 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $1,152.60 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $1,148.05 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $1,164.65 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $1,286.96 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $1,283.20 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $1,318.06 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $1,302.70 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $1,131.36 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $1,167.47 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $1,149.50 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $1,178.26 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $1,228.19 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $1,112.19 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $1,122.23 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $1,179.90 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $1,097.50 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $1,206.37 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $1,147.24 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $1,142.27 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $1,084.32 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $1,125.79 |
| IowaIowa | — | $1,006.68 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $1,017.31 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $1,187.68 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $1,134.70 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $1,212.52 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $1,021.87 |
| KansasKansas | — | $1,013.61 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $1,052.36 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $1,099.98 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $1,055.33 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $1,208.34 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $1,121.31 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $1,178.88 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $1,113.08 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $1,033.79 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $1,066.44 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $1,171.48 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $1,086.72 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $1,046.35 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $1,081.51 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $1,090.07 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $1,046.84 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $1,020.41 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $1,111.03 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $1,045.58 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $1,008.15 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $1,115.71 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,225.06 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,185.19 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $1,096.46 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $1,093.23 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $1,325.78 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $1,201.79 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $1,276.77 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $1,056.12 |
| OhioOhio | — | $1,073.34 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $1,038.88 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $1,141.32 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $1,076.63 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $1,160.85 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $1,068.60 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $1,114.49 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $1,124.56 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $1,060.78 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $1,037.84 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $1,019.48 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $1,125.62 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $1,063.27 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $1,087.35 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $1,098.76 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $1,095.74 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $1,093.55 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $1,154.13 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $1,077.78 |
| UtahUtah | — | $1,073.22 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $1,071.16 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $1,114.49 |
| VermontVermont | — | $1,052.17 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $1,115.67 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $1,219.98 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $1,016.01 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $1,100.48 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $1,082.50 |
15736 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.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
How the 15736 rate is calculated
Each of 15736’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 · 15736
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work16.61
16.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense13.35
13.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice3.31
3.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
33.2700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,111.25
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,533
- Code
- 15736
- Physician work
- 16.61
- Practice expense
- 13.35
- Malpractice
- 3.31
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 16.61 | × 1.000 | 16.6100 |
| Practice expense | 13.35 | × 0.933 | 12.4556 |
| Malpractice | 3.31 | × 0.639 | 2.1151 |
| Total RVUs | 31.1806 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, North Carolina$1041.46
Facility: (16.61 × 1 + 13.35 × 0.933 + 3.31 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $1041.46
Payment rules and modifiers for 15736
15736 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 15736
Flap reconstruction, upper extremity
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.71/0.19 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 15736
Flap reconstruction, upper extremity
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.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
15736 without 51 · national facility
$1,111.25
Flap reconstruction, upper extremity
15736-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$555.63
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%).
How 15736 has changed in North Carolina
15736 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
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
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$1279.30changed toNo rate
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D, RVU19A, RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D, RVU20A, RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D, RVU21A, RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D, RVU22A, RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D, RVU23A, RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D, RVU24A, RVU24AR, RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D, RVU25A, RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D, RVU26A, RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$1280.00changed to$1279.30
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 17.55 changed to 17.54
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$1280.06changed to$1280.00
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 17.43 changed to 17.55
- Malpractice RVU 3.09 changed to 3.11
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$1273.69changed to$1280.06
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$1270.99changed to$1273.69
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 17.32 changed to 17.43
- Malpractice RVU 3.21 changed to 3.09
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$1265.07changed to$1270.99
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 19.21 changed to 17.32
- Malpractice RVU 3.36 changed to 3.21
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $1265.07
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,041.46 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,041.46 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,041.46 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,041.46 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,114.59 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,114.59 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,114.59 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,114.59 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,140.20 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,140.20 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,140.20 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $1,140.20 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,121.59 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,162.46 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,162.46 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,162.46 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,162.46 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,184.64 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,184.64 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,184.64 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,184.64 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,189.22 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,189.22 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,189.22 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,189.22 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,207.98 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,207.98 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,207.98 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,207.98 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,200.07 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,200.07 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,200.07 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,200.07 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,203.03 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,203.03 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,203.03 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,203.03 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $1,279.30 | $1,114.91 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $1,279.30 | $1,114.91 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $1,279.30 | $1,114.91 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $1,279.30 | $1,114.91 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $1,280.00 | $1,115.84 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $1,280.00 | $1,115.84 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $1,280.00 | $1,115.84 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $1,280.00 | $1,115.84 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $1,280.06 | $1,117.98 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $1,280.06 | $1,117.98 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $1,273.69 | $1,112.42 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $1,273.69 | $1,112.42 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $1,270.99 | $1,114.91 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $1,270.99 | $1,114.91 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $1,270.99 | $1,114.91 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $1,270.99 | $1,114.91 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $1,265.07 | $1,097.91 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $1,265.07 | $1,097.91 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $1,265.07 | $1,097.91 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $1,265.07 | $1,097.91 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
15736 billing questions
How is 15736 distinguished from a free flap code?
15736 describes an upper-extremity flap that retains its vascular connection. A free muscle or myocutaneous flap with microvascular transfer is reported with 15756.
Which nearby code applies to a trunk or leg flap?
Use 15734 for the corresponding muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap work on the trunk, and 15738 for the lower extremity. The recipient site determines which regional code fits.
Should modifier 50 be appended for work on both sides?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; modifier 50 should not be used.
What operative details support reporting 15736?
Document the upper-extremity defect, the flap’s tissue composition and source, its maintained blood supply, and the transfer used to provide coverage.
How do assistant and co-surgeon services affect payment?
Medicare does not pay an assistant-at-surgery service for this code. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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
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