2025 CPT code 14040

Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; defect 10 sq cm or less.

Refer to CPT guidelines for Integumentary System repairs and adjacent tissue transfers for proper code selection and modifier usage.

Modifiers may be applicable, such as 22 (Increased Procedural Services), 51 (Multiple Procedures), 59 (Distinct Procedural Service), etc.

Medical necessity must be documented, explaining the reason for the tissue transfer, addressing the functional or cosmetic impairment caused by the lesion. The documentation must support the chosen procedure.

The surgeon prepares the patient, marks the lesion, excises it, creates a flap of adjacent healthy tissue, and transfers it to cover the defect, ensuring hemostasis and applying a dressing.

IMPORTANT For defects larger than 10 sq cm, see codes 14041, 14060, etc.For full thickness repair of lip or eyelid, see respective anatomical subsections. Excision of benign (11400-11446) or malignant (11600-11646) lesions is not separately reportable.

In simple words: The doctor repairs a skin lesion by moving healthy skin from an area next to the lesion. This procedure is used for smaller lesions, up to 10 square centimeters.

Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement is a surgical procedure performed to repair defects or injuries in areas like the forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae (armpits), genitalia, hands, and/or feet. This involves the transfer of healthy tissue from an adjacent site to cover the defect. This code is applicable for defects of 10 sq cm or less.

Example 1: A patient has a 7 sq cm lesion on the cheek requiring an adjacent tissue transfer for repair., A patient with a 9 sq cm defect on the hand requires a Z-plasty using adjacent tissue., A small scar revision on the neck less than 10 sq cm is performed using an advancement flap.

Documentation should include lesion size and location, type of adjacent tissue transfer performed (e.g., Z-plasty, W-plasty, V-Y plasty, rotation flap), and complexity of the repair.

** Skin grafts required to close secondary defects are considered additional procedures.Undermining alone does not constitute adjacent tissue transfer. For extensive debridement, use codes 11042-11047 or 20100-20103. Repair of associated nerves, blood vessels, or tendons are reported separately under the appropriate system.

  • Revenue Code: P6A (MINOR PROCEDURES - SKIN)
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, General Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center
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