2025 CPT code 15770
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Grafting Integumentary System Feed
Surgical transplantation of a composite graft consisting of dermis, fat, and fascia.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure (e.g., modifier 59 for distinct procedural services or modifiers indicating the location of the procedure). Consult current CPT guidelines and payer-specific requirements.
The procedure is medically necessary when the patient has a significant soft tissue or bony deficiency that cannot be adequately addressed by other means.The defect must be of such a nature that a derma-fat-fascia graft is required to restore function and/or improve the patient's appearance. The medical necessity must be supported by appropriate documentation.
The surgeon is responsible for all aspects of the procedure including: administering anesthesia, preparing the donor and recipient sites, harvesting the graft, suturing it into place, and closing both the donor and recipient sites.
In simple words: The doctor takes a piece of skin, fat, and connective tissue from one part of your body and uses it to fill in a missing or damaged area elsewhere. This is often done after surgery to remove a tumor, correct a birth defect, or repair a wound.
This CPT code, 15770, encompasses the surgical procedure involving the harvesting of a composite graft composed of dermis, fat, and fascia from a donor site on the patient's body.The harvested graft is then meticulously sutured into the recipient site, addressing a soft tissue or bony deficiency.The donor site is closed primarily. This procedure is frequently utilized for subdermal augmentation following surgical resection of malignancies, congenital defects, or traumatic injuries. The graft can be harvested as a single layer or in separate layers.
Example 1: A patient undergoes a mastectomy for breast cancer.Following the mastectomy, a derma-fat-fascia graft is used to reconstruct the breast mound and restore a more natural contour., A patient sustains a significant soft tissue defect due to a traumatic injury.A derma-fat-fascia graft is utilized to fill the defect, promoting wound healing and minimizing scarring., A patient has a congenital facial deformity.A derma-fat-fascia graft is used to correct the deformity and improve the patient's facial appearance.
A complete operative report detailing the procedure, including the location and size of the donor and recipient sites, the type of graft harvested, the techniques used, and the closure methods.Preoperative and postoperative photographs are also helpful.Medical records substantiating the medical necessity of the procedure.
** This code should only be used when all three tissue types (dermis, fat, and fascia) are harvested as a single composite graft. If separate grafts are used, individual codes for each tissue type should be reported.The source materials emphasize the importance of proper documentation to support medical necessity and accurate reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P5A (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - SKIN)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text.RVUs vary based on geographic location and other factors. Consult the appropriate fee schedule for current values.
- Global Days: The global period information is not explicitly stated in the source.Further clarification is needed from official CPT guidelines or a billing specialist.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Information on the applicability of a Technical Component (TC) modifier for 15770 is not available in the provided source. Consult official CPT guidelines or billing resources.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule information is not provided in the source. Consult the appropriate fee schedule for the relevant period.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center