Billing code 15840: Facial reanimationMedicare rate & RVUs in Oklahoma
A surgeon uses a fascial graft to provide support in facial paralysis, commonly as part of reconstructive surgery to improve facial symmetry or movement.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 15840 in Oklahoma.
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 9 sections
What 15840 covers
This operation uses fascia, often harvested from the patient, to support facial tissues affected by paralysis. Plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists may perform it as part of facial reanimation, including reconstruction intended to improve resting symmetry or help restore movement. The service is typically performed in an operating room; it is distinct from eyelid procedures that address inability to close the eye.
Report 15840 when the documented graft material and procedure are fascial, rather than a muscle graft or a microsurgical nerve graft. The operative report should identify the facial paralysis indication, the graft work, and any graft harvest. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the following 90 days. 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. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; 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.
15840 in Oklahoma
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | Unavailable | $835.06 |
How the 15840 rate is calculated
Each of 15840’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 · 15840
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 14.62Practice expense 9.65Malpractice 2.27
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 15840
15840 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 15840
Facial reanimation
| 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) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| 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 · 15840
Facial reanimation
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
15840 without 51 · national facility
$886.46
Facial reanimation
15840-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$443.23
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%).
15840 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
15840 vs 15841 vs 15842 vs 67912: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 15841Facial reanimation
- Use 15841 when the graft is muscle. Code 15840 is for a fascial graft.
- 15842Nerve graft
- Use 15842 for a microsurgical nerve graft in facial paralysis; 15840 describes fascial graft work.
- 67912Eyelid weight
- 67912 addresses correction of lagophthalmos with an implant. It treats eyelid closure, not facial support with a fascial graft.
15840 billing questions
How do I choose between 15840, 15841, and 15842?
Choose 15840 for a fascial graft, 15841 for a muscle graft, and 15842 for a microsurgical nerve graft used for facial paralysis. The operative report should support the graft type and procedure.
Does 15840 include harvesting the fascia?
The service includes obtaining the fascia used for the graft. Do not report a separate graft-harvest service for that work.
Should modifier 50 be used for grafts on both sides?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so modifier 50 should not be used.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during the 90 days after surgery.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 15840. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect 15840?
For multiple procedures in the same session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard 50% reduction to the others.
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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