2025 CPT code 15771
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Autologous fat grafting to trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 50 cc or less injectate.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of the procedure. For example, modifier 51 (multiple procedures) may be used if other procedures are performed during the same session.Modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) may be necessary if the fat grafting is performed at widely separate sites. Consult current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for autologous fat grafting varies depending on the indication.For cosmetic purposes, medical necessity may be less stringent, but for reconstructive purposes (e.g., post-mastectomy breast reconstruction), clear documentation of the need for the procedure and the absence of other suitable options is necessary.Documentation of the extent of the defect and the expected improvement following the procedure is required.
The clinical responsibility includes patient preparation (including anesthesia), fat harvesting using liposuction techniques (various methods are possible), processing of the harvested fat (e.g., centrifugation), and injection of the prepared fat into the designated recipient sites.The surgeon is responsible for ensuring proper asepsis, hemostasis, and wound closure. Postoperative care is also the responsibility of the physician.
In simple words: The doctor removes fat from one part of your body using liposuction and injects it into another area (like your breasts, stomach, or arms) to fill in areas or reshape contours. This code covers up to 50 cubic centimeters (cc) of your own fat being used.
This CPT code (15771) represents the surgical procedure of autologous fat grafting, where fat tissue is harvested from the patient via liposuction and injected into the trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs.The procedure involves harvesting up to 50 cc of fat.Multiple injection sites within the same anatomic region are included.Additional codes (e.g., 15772) are used for additional volumes of injectate exceeding 50 cc.
Example 1: Breast augmentation: A patient desires breast augmentation to improve breast size and shape. Autologous fat grafting is used to augment the breasts.15771 would be used if 50cc or less of fat is transferred., Scar revision: A patient has a large, unsightly scar resulting from a burn injury. Autologous fat grafting is used to improve the cosmetic appearance of the scar. 15771 is used if 50cc or less fat is injected., Facial contouring: A patient desires to improve facial contour and address volume loss in the cheeks.Autologous fat is harvested from the abdomen and injected into the cheeks. 15771 is used only if the volume injected is 50cc or less. Additional codes would be necessary if more fat was used.
Detailed operative report including location and amount of fat harvested, method of fat processing (if any), location and amount of fat injected, and photographs. Preoperative and postoperative photographs are essential for documentation.Consent form for the procedure.Patient history and physical examination.
** The volume of injectate is the total volume injected into all recipient sites grouped within the anatomic descriptor.The regions listed refer to the recipient area (not the donor site).
- Revenue Code: P5A (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - SKIN)
- RVU: RVUs not provided in source
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Not available in source.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient)