2025 CPT code 15155
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Application of a tissue-cultured epidermal autograft to the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; for the first 25 sq cm or less.
Modifiers may be applicable in specific circumstances, such as modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) if additional procedures are performed. Consult the CPT manual and NCCI edits for specific modifier usage.
Medical necessity for 15155 is established when the patient has a significant skin defect or loss requiring reconstruction that cannot be achieved through other less invasive methods.The condition must be clinically documented and appropriately sized for the code's application parameters.The use of a cultured skin graft may be required due to the severity or location of the defect (e.g., extensive full-thickness burn, significant facial defect following tumor removal).
The clinical responsibility involves harvesting a skin sample, culturing the skin in a laboratory, preparing the recipient site, applying the cultured skin graft, and securing the graft to ensure proper adherence and healing. Post-operative care and monitoring are also included.
In simple words: This code covers placing a special type of skin graft grown in a lab from the patient's own skin onto small areas (25 square centimeters or less) like the face, head, or hands.This is often done for burns or injuries.
This CPT code encompasses the application of a tissue-cultured epidermal autograft (CEA) to various sensitive areas of the body, including the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits.The procedure is limited to an area of 25 square centimeters or less.The autograft, previously harvested from the patient and cultured in a laboratory, is meticulously placed onto the prepared recipient site.The method of fixation (sutures, staples, or adhesives) is at the surgeon's discretion. Harvesting of the autologous skin graft is included.Add-on code 15156 is used for each additional square centimeter up to a total of 75 cm².
Example 1: A patient sustains a 15 cm² full-thickness burn to the left cheek in a house fire.A tissue cultured epidermal autograft is used for coverage., A patient undergoes Mohs micrographic surgery for a basal cell carcinoma on the nose resulting in a 20 cm² defect. A tissue cultured epidermal autograft is used for reconstruction., A patient with a chronic, non-healing wound on the right hand (18 cm²) undergoes treatment with a tissue cultured autograft to facilitate healing.
** This code is specific to the application of the cultured autograft.The harvesting of the skin for culture (15040), and any surgical preparation of the recipient site (15002, 15004, etc.) are reported separately.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- RVU: The relative value units (RVUs) for this code will vary depending on several factors including geographic location, facility type, and the specific payer.Consult the appropriate fee schedule for current values.
- Global Days : Not applicable. This is not a surgical procedure with a global period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code.
- Fee Schedule : Historical fee schedule data is not provided but is available through various medical billing resources and payer specific fee schedules. Consult those resources for historical pricing.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Burns Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient