2025 CPT code 15839
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); other area.
Modifier 50 should be appended to indicate bilateral procedures.
Medical necessity for 15839 is typically established by the presence of excess skin and subcutaneous fat that causes physical discomfort (e.g., chafing, skin irritation), functional impairment, or significantly impacts the patient's body image and psychological well-being.The procedure is typically considered cosmetic, but the presence of medically significant symptoms can justify coverage by insurers.
The surgeon's responsibility includes making incisions, removing excess fat and skin (possibly using liposuction techniques), and closing the incisions with sutures or other methods.Pre-operative and post-operative care is also part of the clinical responsibility.
In simple words: This code covers surgery to remove extra skin and fat from a body area not listed in other codes. The doctor makes cuts to take out the excess tissue.
This CPT code encompasses the surgical excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue, which may include lipectomy, from an area not specified in other CPT codes.The procedure involves removing excess fat and loose skin, often utilizing techniques such as horizontal incisions with a scalpel, cannula suction, or elliptical excision with scalpel and cautery.It's crucial to distinguish this from procedures addressing specific anatomical sites, such as those covered by codes 15830-15838.
Example 1: A patient presents with significant excess skin and fat in the back after massive weight loss.A belt lipectomy, encompassing 15839, is performed to remove the excess tissue, improving body contour and reducing discomfort from chafing. , A patient has excess skin and fat on their inner thighs following bariatric surgery. The surgeon uses code 15839 to document the excision of this tissue to improve body contour and reduce discomfort from chafing. , A patient with significant excess skin on the arms after weight loss surgery undergoes a procedure to remove this excess skin, using code 15839. This is to address the appearance and prevent skin irritation from excess folds.
** This code should not be used if the excess skin and subcutaneous tissue removal is part of a more extensive procedure such as an abdominoplasty or other body contouring surgery where specific codes apply. Always cross-reference with other relevant CPT codes to ensure correct coding.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Outpatient Hospital, Office-based surgery center