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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesLaser Ablation ProceduresCPT cpt-0479t-fractional-ablative-laser-fenestration-burns-scars
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    CPT 0479T: Fractional Ablative Laser Fenestration for Burns and Scars

    CPT code 0479T describes a fractional ablative laser procedure to create openings or fenestrations in burns and traumatic scars; this is a wound/scar treatment service typically performed by dermatology or plastic surgery clinicians in an outpatient procedural setting such as an ambulatory surgery center or clinic, reported for the first 100 cm2 in adults or 1 percent of body surface area in infants and children.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Child Health Plus (CHP) and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Lower Back Pain, Acupuncture Services Payment Policy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old adult patient presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic for treatment of mature burn scars over the anterior chest and upper abdomen resulting from a full-thickness burns sustained 18 months prior. The scars are symptomatic with tightness and restricted movement and are cosmetically concerning. The dermatologist evaluates the extent and documents prior conservative therapies (topical emollients, scar massage, and pressure therapy). After informed consent, the provider performs fractional ablative laser fenestration to create multiple small openings in the scar tissue to promote remodeling. The documented treated surface area is 160 cm2; billing uses 0479T for the first 100 cm2 and additional area is reported per facility policy or with an unlisted/add-on code as applicable. Typical workflow: preprocedure photography and consent, local anesthesia or topical analgesia, sterile preparation, fractional ablative laser fenestration of scarred areas, immediate postprocedure care and instructions, and scheduled follow-up visits for wound care and assessment of scar remodeling.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    17110Destruction, extensive, first lesionMay be used for destruction of superficial scar tissue or lesions when fenestration is not appropriate; sometimes performed prior to or instead of laser fenestration for discrete scar elements.
    15777Microdermabrasion; per session (note: 15777 is microdermabrasion code)Performed for superficial scar smoothing and adjunctive resurfacing in staged scar management following fenestration.
    15877Revision of hypertrophic scar, complicatedRepresents surgical scar revision that may be combined with or staged before fractional ablative fenestration to improve contour.
    97035Ultrasound therapy, each 15 minutes (note: physical therapy modality)Nonoperative adjunctive therapy for scar pliability used in postoperative rehabilitation after laser fenestration.
    99070Supplies and materials, unless included in the procedureUsed to bill for special supplies or disposables not included in the laser procedure bundle when allowed by payor policy.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    367A00000X
    275N00000X
    363LP0200X
    3747A0650X
    207VG0400X
    207ZI0100X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    19 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    L03.019Cellulitis of unspecified finger
    L03.031Cellulitis of right toe
    L03.115Cellulitis of right lower limb
    L03.116Cellulitis of left lower limb
    L08.0Pyoderma
    L90.5Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin
    L90.9Atrophic disorder of skin, unspecified
    L91.0Hypertrophic scar
    L91.8Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin
    L98.0Pyogenic granuloma

    Showing 1–10 of 19

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Pain Management1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Child Health Plus (CHP) and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Lower Back Painblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-12-01
    Acupuncture Services Payment Policyfallon_community_health_plan_inc2026-12-01
    Facet Joint and Medial Branch Block Injections for Spinal Pain (for North Carolina Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve AblationCareSource2026-11-01
    Implantable Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Pain and Other Conditionspremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablationhap_caresource_mi_coordinated_health2026-11-01
    Peripheral Nerve Destruction for Pain ConditionsCigna2026-11-01
    Headache, Occipital, and/or Trigeminal Neuralgia TreatmentCigna2026-11-01
    Drug Testing in Pain Management and Substance Use Disorderbcbsvermont2026-11-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-0480T-FRACTIONAL-ABLATIVE-LASER-FENESTRATION-BURNS-SCARS-PEDIATRIC

    CPT 0480T: Fractional Ablative Laser Fenestration of Scars in Infants/Children

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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