CPT code 15878: Suction lipectomy, upper extremity2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
Report this service for suction removal of subcutaneous fat from an upper extremity when the clinical indication meets Medicare’s restricted coverage criteria.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $0.00 for 15878 in the office and $0.00 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 15878 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 15878 covers
This procedure removes localized subcutaneous fat from an upper extremity using suction through a cannula. A surgeon performs it through small access incisions to treat an upper-arm, forearm, or other upper-extremity site. It addresses fat removal, not excision of redundant skin; the operative report should identify the treated site and describe the suction technique and extent of treatment.
Medicare marks this code as restricted coverage, so documentation should establish the qualifying medical indication rather than assume cosmetic contouring is payable. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. 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 New Mexico compares for 15878
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 15878 runs from $0.00 in Alaska to $0.00 in Wyoming. New Mexico pays $0.00. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$0.00
- Los Angeles, CA · California$0.00
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$0.00
- Miami, FL · Florida$0.00
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$0.00
- Manhattan, NY · New York$0.00
- Alaska · Alaska$0.00
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| ArizonaArizona | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| ColoradoColorado | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| DelawareDelaware | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IowaIowa | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IdahoIdaho | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IndianaIndiana | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| KansasKansas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| MississippiMississippi | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| MontanaMontana | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| NevadaNevada | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| OhioOhio | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Portland, OROregon | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| UtahUtah | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| VermontVermont | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| King County, WAWashington | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| WyomingWyoming | $0.00 | $0.00 |
15878 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.
$0.00
$0.00
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $0.00 | 1 |
| AL | $0.00 | 1 |
| AR | $0.00 | 1 |
| AZ | $0.00 | 1 |
| CA | $0.00 | 29 |
| CO | $0.00 | 1 |
| CT | $0.00 | 1 |
| DC | $0.00 | 1 |
| DE | $0.00 | 1 |
| FL | $0.00 | 3 |
| GA | $0.00 | 2 |
| GU | $0.00 | 1 |
| HI | $0.00 | 1 |
| IA | $0.00 | 1 |
| ID | $0.00 | 1 |
| IL | $0.00 | 4 |
| IN | $0.00 | 1 |
| KS | $0.00 | 1 |
| KY | $0.00 | 1 |
| LA | $0.00 | 2 |
| MA | $0.00 | 2 |
| MD | $0.00 | 3 |
| ME | $0.00 | 2 |
| MI | $0.00 | 2 |
| MN | $0.00 | 1 |
| MO | $0.00 | 3 |
| MS | $0.00 | 1 |
| MT | $0.00 | 1 |
| NC | $0.00 | 1 |
| ND | $0.00 | 1 |
| NE | $0.00 | 1 |
| NH | $0.00 | 1 |
| NJ | $0.00 | 2 |
| NM | $0.00 | 1 |
| NV | $0.00 | 1 |
| NY | $0.00 | 5 |
| OH | $0.00 | 1 |
| OK | $0.00 | 1 |
| OR | $0.00 | 2 |
| PA | $0.00 | 2 |
| PR | $0.00 | 1 |
| RI | $0.00 | 1 |
| SC | $0.00 | 1 |
| SD | $0.00 | 1 |
| TN | $0.00 | 1 |
| TX | $0.00 | 8 |
| UT | $0.00 | 1 |
| VA | $0.00 | 2 |
| VI | $0.00 | 1 |
| VT | $0.00 | 1 |
| WA | $0.00 | 2 |
| WI | $0.00 | 1 |
| WV | $0.00 | 1 |
| WY | $0.00 | 1 |
How the 15878 rate is calculated
Each of 15878’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 · 15878
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$0.00
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,591
- Code
- 15878
- Physician work
- 0.00
- Practice expense
- 0.00
- Malpractice
- 0.00
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.00 | × 1.000 | 0.0000 |
| Practice expense | 0.00 | × 0.917 | 0.0000 |
| Malpractice | 0.00 | × 1.201 | 0.0000 |
| Total RVUs | 0.0000 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, New Mexico$0.00
Office: (0 × 1 + 0 × 0.917 + 0 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $0.00
Facility: (0 × 1 + 0 × 0.917 + 0 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $0.00
Payment rules and modifiers for 15878
The CMS indicators that decide how 15878 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 15878
Suction lipectomy, upper extremity
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
15878 without 50 · national office
$0.00
Suction lipectomy, upper extremity
15878-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$0.00
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
How 15878 has changed in New Mexico
15878 · Office / nonfacility
$0.00
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is unchanged from 2025-10-01: $0.00 in both releases.
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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, 2026
RVU26A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
- Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
- Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
- Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
- Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$0.00changed to$0.00
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
- Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $0.00
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | RVU13AR |
Where the New Mexico rate applies
New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abeytas
- Abiquiu
- Acomita Lake
- Adelino
- Agua Fria
- Alamillo
- Alamo
- Alamogordo
15878 billing questions
When should 15878 be chosen over an arm skin-excision code?
Use 15878 when the service suctions subcutaneous fat from an upper extremity. An arm skin-excision code describes removal of excess skin instead.
What documentation supports reporting 15878?
Document the medical indication, the upper-extremity site treated, and the suction procedure performed. Because Medicare coverage is restricted, the record should support why the service qualifies for coverage.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
For bilateral upper-extremity treatment, report modifier 50; CMS specifies payment at 150%.
How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect 15878?
When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. The reduction depends on the procedures’ relative values.
Is same-day postoperative care included?
Yes. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. CMS does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery 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
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