2025 CPT code 15200
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Skin Grafting Surgery/Integumentary System Feed
Full-thickness skin graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, trunk; 20 sq cm or less.
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 51 would be used for multiple grafts. Other modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances.
Medical necessity must be clearly documented. This includes the reason for the graft, why a full-thickness graft was chosen over other options, and the size and location of the defect.
The physician harvests a full-thickness skin graft, prepares the recipient site on the trunk, transplants the graft, and closes both the recipient and donor sites.
In simple words: A full-thickness skin graft involves transplanting all layers of skin from one area (donor site) to another (recipient site) on the trunk. The donor site is then stitched up.This code is used when the grafted area is 20 square centimeters or smaller.
This code describes a procedure where a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) is harvested and placed on the trunk, with a recipient area of 20 sq cm or less.A full-thickness graft includes the entire dermis. The donor site is then closed directly.
Example 1: A patient presents with a 2x8 cm burn wound on their back. A full-thickness skin graft measuring 16 sq cm is harvested from the thigh and placed on the burn wound. The donor site on the thigh is then closed directly., A patient has a 4x4 cm area of skin loss on their chest due to a traumatic injury. A full-thickness graft of 16 sq cm is taken from the abdomen and applied to the chest, with direct closure of the donor site., Following excision of a 5x3 cm lesion on the upper back, a full-thickness graft of 15 sq cm from the buttock is applied to achieve closure, and the donor site on the buttock is closed directly.
Documentation should include: size and location of the recipient site, location of the donor site, method of closure for both sites, and any complications encountered.Photographs may also be beneficial.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient, Office