CPT code 15738: Lower-extremity flap, muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
Reports reconstruction of a lower-extremity defect with a transferred flap containing muscle, skin, or fascia that retains its blood supply.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,268.00 for 15738 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15738 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 15738 covers
This code covers reconstruction of a lower-extremity defect using a flap that includes muscle, skin, or fascia and remains connected to its blood supply during transfer. Plastic surgeons and other surgeons performing reconstructive procedures may use this approach to provide durable tissue coverage when a defect cannot be adequately managed with a simpler closure. The operative report should identify the flap tissue, its lower-extremity donor and recipient sites, and how the tissue was mobilized and positioned.
Select this code for a pedicled flap reconstruction of the leg, not a free flap moved with microvascular vessel connections. The 90-day global period 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. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons require 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 15738
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 15738 runs from $1,032.22 in Arkansas to $1,430.48 in Alaska. Washington, DC area pays $1,268.00. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$1,268.00
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,207.68−$60.32
- Miami, FL · Florida$1,349.90+$81.90
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,311.28+$43.28
- Manhattan, NY · New York$1,324.87+$56.87
- Alaska · Alaska$1,430.48+$162.48
- Alabama · Alabama$1,044.91−$223.09
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $1,032.22 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $1,118.28 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $1,151.94 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $1,142.48 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $1,257.47 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $1,194.26 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $1,180.83 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $1,180.96 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $1,176.23 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $1,191.41 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $1,308.87 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $1,304.76 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $1,340.52 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $1,323.72 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $1,159.40 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $1,192.85 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $1,177.22 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $1,203.73 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $1,251.55 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $1,141.88 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $1,155.36 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $1,217.49 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $1,134.32 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $1,251.32 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $1,191.21 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $1,181.01 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $1,127.53 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $1,153.25 |
| IowaIowa | — | $1,040.78 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $1,052.00 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $1,238.33 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $1,180.94 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $1,257.01 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $1,056.43 |
| KansasKansas | — | $1,049.23 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $1,092.81 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $1,140.72 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $1,096.38 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $1,239.49 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $1,155.29 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $1,216.64 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $1,149.50 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $1,070.02 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $1,100.04 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $1,217.01 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $1,128.47 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $1,075.02 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $1,120.69 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $1,129.01 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $1,088.95 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $1,060.12 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $1,148.08 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $1,077.37 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $1,076.50 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $1,041.74 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $1,149.92 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,260.80 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,222.34 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $1,138.80 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $1,128.54 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $1,368.63 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $1,240.32 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $1,315.60 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $1,092.04 |
| OhioOhio | — | $1,113.84 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $1,077.76 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $1,172.52 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $1,110.78 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $1,199.52 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $1,108.26 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $1,150.99 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $1,160.49 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $1,099.22 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $1,068.04 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $1,055.26 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $1,159.41 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $1,103.06 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $1,123.01 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $1,135.10 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $1,132.60 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $1,129.63 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $1,195.89 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $1,115.81 |
| UtahUtah | — | $1,111.54 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $1,105.85 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $1,150.99 |
| VermontVermont | — | $1,084.52 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $1,149.08 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $1,249.69 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $1,047.54 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $1,147.05 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $1,116.89 |
15738 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 15738 rate is calculated
Each of 15738’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 · 15738
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work18.56
18.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense12.20
12.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice3.62
3.62 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 Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,534
- Code
- 15738
- Physician work
- 18.56
- Practice expense
- 12.20
- Malpractice
- 3.62
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 18.56 | × 1.054 | 19.5622 |
| Practice expense | 12.20 | × 1.178 | 14.3716 |
| Malpractice | 3.62 | × 1.113 | 4.0291 |
| Total RVUs | 37.9629 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, Washington, DC area$1268.00
Facility: (18.56 × 1.054 + 12.2 × 1.178 + 3.62 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1268.00
Payment rules and modifiers for 15738
15738 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 15738
Lower-extremity flap, muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous
| 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) | 2 | Paid. |
| 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 · 15738
Lower-extremity flap, muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous
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
15738 without 51 · national facility
$1,148.32
Lower-extremity flap, muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous
15738-51 · 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%).
How 15738 has changed in Washington, DC area
15738 · 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
$1630.77changed 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
$1633.63changed to$1630.77
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 17.54 changed to 17.49
- Malpractice RVU 3.50 changed to 3.47
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
- Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$1634.22changed to$1633.63
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 17.46 changed to 17.54
- Malpractice RVU 3.46 changed to 3.50
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$1626.09changed to$1634.22
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$1623.81changed to$1626.09
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 17.43 changed to 17.46
- Malpractice RVU 3.64 changed to 3.46
- 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.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$1609.01changed to$1623.81
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 19.21 changed to 17.43
- Malpractice RVU 3.81 changed to 3.64
- 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.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $1609.01
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,268.00 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,268.00 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,268.00 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,268.00 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,383.82 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,383.82 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,383.82 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,383.82 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,418.89 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,418.89 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,418.89 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $1,418.89 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,395.73 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,458.06 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,458.06 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,458.06 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,458.06 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,499.45 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,499.45 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,499.45 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,499.45 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,511.27 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,511.27 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,511.27 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,511.27 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,538.29 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,538.29 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,538.29 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,538.29 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,532.22 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,532.22 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,532.22 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,532.22 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,549.16 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,549.16 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,549.16 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,549.16 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $1,630.77 | $1,430.98 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $1,630.77 | $1,430.98 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $1,630.77 | $1,430.98 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $1,630.77 | $1,430.98 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $1,633.63 | $1,433.88 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $1,633.63 | $1,433.88 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $1,633.63 | $1,433.88 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $1,633.63 | $1,433.88 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $1,634.22 | $1,436.78 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $1,634.22 | $1,436.78 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $1,626.09 | $1,429.63 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $1,626.09 | $1,429.63 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $1,623.81 | $1,433.06 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $1,623.81 | $1,433.06 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $1,623.81 | $1,433.06 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $1,623.81 | $1,433.06 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $1,609.01 | $1,405.21 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $1,609.01 | $1,405.21 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $1,609.01 | $1,405.21 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $1,609.01 | $1,405.21 | RVU13AR |
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
15738 billing questions
How does this differ from a free muscle flap?
This code describes a lower-extremity flap that remains connected to its blood supply during transfer. A free flap, such as the service represented by 15756, is detached and reconnected using microvascular techniques.
Is modifier 50 appropriate when both legs are treated?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inapplicable to this code, so modifier 50 is inappropriate.
What documentation supports reporting this flap?
Document the defect and recipient site, the lower-extremity donor site, the tissue included in the flap, and the method of mobilization and transfer.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
CMS permits payment for an assistant at surgery. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; team surgery is not permitted.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How is this code affected when other 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.
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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