2025 CPT code 12017
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Repair-Simple Procedures Integumentary System Feed
Simple repair of superficial wounds of the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes; 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm.
Modifiers -22 (increased procedural services), -25 (significant, separately identifiable E/M service), -51 (multiple procedures), -59 (distinct procedural service), -76 (repeat procedure by the same physician), and -77 (repeat procedure by another physician) may be applicable in certain circumstances.Refer to the CPT manual for guidance on appropriate modifier use.
Medical necessity is established by the need to close the wound to prevent infection, promote healing, and improve cosmetic outcome.Documentation should support the need for repair and the choice of a simple repair technique.
The physician's responsibility includes assessing the wound, determining the need for repair, performing hemostasis (stopping bleeding), anesthetizing the area if necessary, and closing the wound using appropriate techniques (sutures, staples, or tissue adhesives).
- Integumentary System
- Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System > Surgical Repair (Closure) Procedures on the Integumentary System > Repair-Simple Procedures on the Integumentary System
In simple words: This code covers the simple stitching or closing of minor cuts or wounds on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or inside of the mouth. The total length of the wound(s) being repaired must be between 20.1 and 30 centimeters.
This CPT code reports the simple repair of superficial wounds to the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes.The repair is considered simple if it involves only the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissue without deeper structure involvement and requires a single-layer closure.The total length of the repaired wound(s) must measure 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm.Hemostasis and local/topical anesthesia, if performed, are included.
Example 1: A patient presents with a 22cm laceration across their cheek following a bicycle accident. The physician performs a simple repair using sutures., A child sustains a 25cm laceration to their upper lip after a fall. After cleaning the wound and controlling bleeding, the physician performs a simple one-layer closure with sutures., A patient presents with multiple small superficial wounds to their face totaling 28cm after a dog bite.The physician cleans the wounds and performs a simple repair using a combination of sutures and tissue adhesive.
Detailed documentation should include the size and location of the wound(s), the type of closure used (sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive), any debridement performed, and the total length of repair in centimeters.Photographs may be helpful.
** When multiple wounds are repaired in the same session, be sure to add the lengths for each wound within the same anatomic location and classification before selecting the appropriate CPT code. If significant debridement is necessary, additional codes for debridement may be required.Always consult current coding guidelines and payer-specific rules for accurate billing practices.
- Revenue Code: P5A (Ambulatory Procedures - Skin)
- RVU: This information is not provided in the source and requires access to a fee schedule database.
- Global Days: Not applicable for this simple repair code. Global surgical periods typically apply to more extensive surgical procedures.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.Technical component (TC) modifiers are typically not used for simple wound repair codes.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not provided in the source and requires access to historical fee schedule databases or billing records.
- Specialties:Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Clinic, Hospital Emergency Room, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Urgent Care Facility