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CPT code 15839: Excess skin excision, other anatomical area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports surgical removal of redundant skin and underlying tissue, including lipectomy, from an anatomical area without a dedicated site-specific code.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality524 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,083.03 for 15839 in the office and $756.85 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,083.03Office (non-facility)
$756.85Hospital or facility
+12.9%vs the national office rate ($958.94)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15839 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 15839 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 15839 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 15839 covers

A plastic or reconstructive surgeon removes excess skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue from an area not identified by a dedicated site-specific excision code. The operation may include removal of some underlying fat as part of contouring the treated area. The operative report should identify the actual anatomical site and describe the tissue removed; “other area” is not a substitute for a code that specifically names the treated site.

Report this code when the documented site fits the other-area category rather than a site-specific code such as the abdomen, thigh, or arm codes. Documentation should describe the excess tissue, the site and extent of excision, and the clinical indication. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including 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 the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of 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 Washington, DC area compares for 15839

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15839 runs from $849.78 in Arkansas to $1,210.83 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $1,083.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

15839 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$1,083.03
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,052.40−$30.63
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$1,080.16−$2.87
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,047.58−$35.45
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,108.10+$25.07
  6. Alaska · Alaska$1,136.92+$53.89
  7. Alabama · Alabama$861.91−$221.12

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

Every other payment area

15839 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$849.78$611.93
ArizonaArizona$932.53$664.22
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$993.27$689.79
Chico, CACalifornia$987.88$684.40
El Centro, CACalifornia$988.20$684.73
Fresno, CACalifornia$987.88$684.40
Hanford, CACalifornia$987.88$684.40
Madera, CACalifornia$987.88$684.40

15839 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.

$849.78

$1,136.92

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

View every state and territory as a table
15839 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,136.921
AL$861.911
AR$849.781
AZ$932.531
CA$987.88–$1,210.8329
CO$984.281
CT$1,021.861
DC$1,083.031
DE$947.511
FL$967.06–$1,080.163
GA$911.65–$981.762
GU$1,007.491
HI$1,007.491
IA$873.111
ID$880.771
IL$947.17–$1,047.584
IN$885.481
KS$873.931
KY$892.141
LA$892.70–$935.112
MA$980.61–$1,073.052
MD$963.70–$1,083.033
ME$890.38–$930.182
MI$919.19–$983.832
MN$929.581
MO$881.03–$932.553
MS$865.321
MT$958.811
NC$898.651
ND$920.651
NE$876.301
NH$973.531
NJ$1,029.70–$1,073.262
NM$926.041
NV$948.731
NY$912.17–$1,140.495
OH$911.391
OK$885.451
OR$937.58–$1,009.232
PA$910.09–$1,000.192
PR$964.051
RI$976.711
SC$907.281
SD$916.141
TN$878.821
TX$904.64–$984.328
UT$919.221
VA$930.60–$1,083.032
VI$964.051
VT$921.571
WA$977.26–$1,089.652
WI$891.131
WV$914.351
WY$942.181

See 15839 in every payment locality

How the 15839 rate is calculated

Each of 15839’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 · 15839

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work10.24

10.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense16.54

16.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.93

1.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

28.7100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$958.94

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

1,578

Code
15839
Physician work
10.24
Practice expense
16.54
Malpractice
1.93

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 15839 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work10.24× 1.05410.7930
Practice expense16.54× 1.17819.4841
Malpractice1.93× 1.1132.1481
Total RVUs32.4252
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$1083.03

Office: (10.24 × 1.054 + 16.54 × 1.178 + 1.93 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1083.03

Facility: (10.24 × 1.054 + 8.25 × 1.178 + 1.93 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $756.85

Open 15839 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 15839

15839 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 15839

Excess skin excision, other anatomical area

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 · 15839

Excess skin excision, other anatomical area

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

15839 without 51 · national office

$958.94

Excess skin excision, other anatomical area

15839-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$479.47

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 15839

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

Codes related to 15839
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
15830Panniculectomy, infraumbilical skin and tissueSite-specific excess-skin excision code for the abdomen.No office rate
15832Thigh lift, excess skin excisionSite-specific excess-skin excision code for the thigh.No office rate
15836Skin excision, upper armSite-specific excess-skin excision code for the arm.No office rate
15837Skin excision, forearm or handSite-specific excess-skin excision code for the forearm or hand.$1,061.74

How 15839 has changed in Washington, DC area

15839 · Office / nonfacility

$1083.03

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $88.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $994.86 to $1083.03 (8.9%).

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

    $994.86changed to$1083.03

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 10.50 changed to 10.24
    • Practice expense RVU 14.62 changed to 16.54
    • Malpractice RVU 1.91 changed to 1.93
    • 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

    $1019.03changed to$994.86

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 14.48 changed to 14.62
    • Malpractice RVU 1.93 changed to 1.91

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1002.39changed to$1019.03

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1046.18changed to$1002.39

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 14.35 changed to 14.48
    • Malpractice RVU 1.92 changed to 1.93
    • 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

    $1070.38changed to$1046.18

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 14.05 changed to 14.35
    • Malpractice RVU 1.93 changed to 1.92
    • 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

    $1070.96changed to$1070.38

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 13.91 changed to 14.05
    • Malpractice RVU 1.88 changed to 1.93

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1059.69changed to$1070.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 13.04 changed to 13.91
    • Malpractice RVU 1.90 changed to 1.88
    • 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

    $1040.59changed to$1059.69

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 12.92 changed to 13.04
    • Malpractice RVU 1.85 changed to 1.90
    • 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

    $1034.58changed to$1040.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 12.86 changed to 12.92
    • Malpractice RVU 1.80 changed to 1.85

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1032.74changed to$1034.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 12.85 changed to 12.86
    • 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

    $1033.82changed to$1032.74

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 12.86 changed to 12.85
    • Malpractice RVU 1.83 changed to 1.80
    • 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

    $1033.55changed to$1033.82

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 12.81 changed to 12.86
    • Malpractice RVU 1.79 changed to 1.83

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1028.40changed to$1033.55

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1023.81changed to$1028.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 12.75 changed to 12.81
    • Malpractice RVU 1.85 changed to 1.79
    • 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

    $1007.35changed to$1023.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 13.70 changed to 12.75
    • Malpractice RVU 1.93 changed to 1.85
    • 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: $1007.35

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,083.03$756.85RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,083.03$756.85RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,083.03$756.85RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,083.03$756.85RVU26A
2025-10-01$994.86$817.89RVU25D
2025-07-01$994.86$817.89RVU25C
2025-04-01$994.86$817.89RVU25B
2025-01-01$994.86$817.89RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,019.03$834.52RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,019.03$834.52RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,019.03$834.52RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,019.03$834.52RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,002.39$820.90RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,046.18$856.12RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,046.18$856.12RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,046.18$856.12RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,046.18$856.12RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,070.38$872.76RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,070.38$872.76RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,070.38$872.76RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,070.38$872.76RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,070.96$871.71RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,070.96$871.71RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,070.96$871.71RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,070.96$871.71RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,059.69$874.61RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,059.69$874.61RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,059.69$874.61RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,059.69$874.61RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,040.59$861.67RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,040.59$861.67RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,040.59$861.67RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,040.59$861.67RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,034.58$859.76RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,034.58$859.76RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,034.58$859.76RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,034.58$859.76RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,032.74$860.62RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,032.74$860.62RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,032.74$860.62RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,032.74$860.62RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,033.82$860.81RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,033.82$860.81RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,033.82$860.81RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,033.82$860.81RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,033.55$860.78RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,033.55$860.78RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,028.40$856.50RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,028.40$856.50RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,023.81$852.43RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,023.81$852.43RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,023.81$852.43RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,023.81$852.43RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,007.35$831.68RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,007.35$831.68RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,007.35$831.68RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,007.35$831.68RVU13AR

Price 15839 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

15839 billing questions

When should this code be chosen instead of a site-specific excess-skin code?

Use it when the excised skin and subcutaneous tissue are from an area without its own site-specific code. If the treated site is the abdomen, thigh, or arm, consider the corresponding dedicated code instead.

Does the service include removal of underlying fat?

The service includes removal of subcutaneous tissue, including lipectomy, as part of the excess-tissue excision. Document the tissue and anatomical site treated.

Can modifier 50 be reported for treatment on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; modifier 50 should not be used.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect payment?

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

What postoperative care is included?

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

Can an assistant or another surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. Co-surgeons and team surgery are 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
RVUs for 15839PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,578 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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