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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair-Intermediate Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-12046-intermediate-repair-superficial-wound-20-1-to-30-cm-neck-hands-feet-genitalia
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    CPT 12046: Intermediate Repair of Superficial Wound 20.1–30.0 cm

    Medicare pays $574 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 12046 describes an intermediate repair procedure for superficial wounds located on the neck, hands, feet, and/or external genitalia measuring 20.1 to 30.0 cm, typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department and involving layered closure of subcutaneous tissue and skin under local or regional anesthesia.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a workplace laceration from broken glass to the dorsal aspect of the left hand. Examination reveals a 24-cm superficial wound involving skin and subcutaneous tissue without tendon, nerve, or vessel injury. The patient is tetanus-up-to-date, neurovascular status intact, and the wound is clean but requires layered closure. After local anesthesia and irrigation, an intermediate closure is performed using layered absorbable sutures in the subcutaneous layer and nonabsorbable interrupted sutures to the skin. Procedure documentation includes wound measurements (length 24 cm), anatomic site (left hand), anesthesia used, hemostasis, materials, and postoperative instructions.

    Typical site of service: Emergency department or outpatient minor procedure/suture clinic. Service type: Intermediate repair of superficial wounds (layered closure) for neck, hands, feet, and external genitalia between 20.1 and 30.0 cm in length. Typical clinical workflow: triage and wound assessment → informed consent → anesthesia (local, field block) → irrigation and debridement as needed → layered closure (subcuticular/dermal absorbable sutures plus skin closure) → dressing and discharge with wound care instructions and follow-up.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12031Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed for intermediate repairs of smaller wounds on other anatomic sites when wound length is less than for 12046.
    12041Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet, and/or external genitalia; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed for intermediate repair on same anatomic sites but for shorter wound lengths than 12046.
    13160Secondary closure of surgical wound or dehiscence, extensive or complicated, requiring removal of devitalized tissue and extensive undermining or advancement or rotation; neck, hands, feet, or external genitaliaPerformed when a wound requires more extensive reconstruction or closure of a dehisced wound beyond simple intermediate repair.
    12047Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet, and/or external genitalia; 30.1 cm to 60.0 cmUsed when the wound length exceeds the range for 12046 and requires coding at a higher length bracket.
    12050Repair, complex, trunk, arms, or legs; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm (example of complex repair codes)Represents more complex repair techniques; considered when deeper structures or more complex closures are required beyond intermediate repair.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, global period, typically included in global surgical packageIndicates routine postoperative care included in the global period for the repair; separate billing only under specific circumstances.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    207RG0100X
    163W00000X
    208D00000X
    246YR1600X
    283X00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    FilsuvezCigna2026-11-01
    Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin LesionsAnthem2026-10-01
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains)universityofutahhealthplans2026-09-28
    AnzupgoCigna2026-09-15
    Hyperhidrosispriority_health_medicare2026-09-01
    Zevaskyn Coverage for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaCigna2026-09-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-12031-INTERMEDIATE-REPAIR-WOUND-SCALP-TRUNK-EXTREMITY-2-5CM

    CPT 12031: Intermediate Repair of Wound, Scalp/Axilla/Trunk/Extremity 2.5 cm or Less

    CPT-12032-INTERMEDIATE-WOUND-REPAIR-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

    CPT 12032: Intermediate Repair of Wound, 2.6–7.5 cm

    CPT-12034-INTERMEDIATE-WOUND-REPAIR-7-6-TO-12-5-CM-SCALP-TRUNK-EXTREMITIES

    CPT 12034: Intermediate Wound Repair, 7.6–12.5 cm, Scalp/Trunk/Extremities

    CPT-12035-INTERMEDIATE-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-TRUNK-EXTREMITIES-12-6-20CM

    CPT 12035: Intermediate Repair of Wounds 12.6–20 cm

    CPT-12036-INTERMEDIATE-REPAIR-WOUND-20-1-30-CM-SCALP-TRUNK-EXTREMITIES

    CPT 12036: Intermediate Repair of Wound 20.1–30 cm

    CPT-12037-INTERMEDIATE-REPAIR-WOUND-GREATER-THAN-30CM-SCALP-TRUNK-EXTREMITIES

    CPT 12037: Intermediate Repair of Wounds >30.0 cm

    CPT-12041-INTERMEDIATE-REPAIR-SUPERFICIAL-WOUND-2-5CM-OR-LESS

    CPT 12041: Intermediate Repair of Superficial Wound ≤2.5 cm

    CPT-12042-INTERMEDIATE-REPAIR-SUPERFICIAL-WOUND-NECK-HANDS-FEET-GENITALIA

    CPT 12042: Intermediate Repair of Superficial Wound 2.6–7.5 cm

    CPT-12044-INTERMEDIATE-REPAIR-SUPERFICIAL-WOUNDS-7-6-TO-12-5-CM

    CPT 12044: Intermediate Repair of Superficial Wound 7.6–12.5 cm

    CPT-12045-INTERMEDIATE-WOUND-REPAIR-NECK-HANDS-FEET-GENITALIA

    CPT 12045: Intermediate Repair of Superficial Wounds 12.6–20 cm

    Showing 1–10 of 18

    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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