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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair-Intermediate Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-12051-intermediate-repair-facial-wound-2-5cm-or-less
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    CPT 12051: Intermediate Repair of Facial and Mucous Membrane Wounds ≤2.5 cm

    Medicare pays $293 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 12051 describes the intermediate repair of wounds involving the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes that are 2.5 cm or less; the service is a wound repair procedure typically performed in ambulatory surgical centers, hospital outpatient departments, or office-based procedural settings and involves layered closure requiring intermediate tissue approximation.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products, Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old man presents to an urgent care clinic after sustaining a laceration to his upper lip during a bicycle accident earlier the same day. The wound measures approximately 2.0 cm in greatest length, involves the vermilion border but spares deeper muscle layers, and has minimal contamination. After evaluation, tetanus status is confirmed and local anesthesia is administered. The clinician performs an intermediate wound closure of the lip using layered suturing: deep absorbable sutures to approximate subcutaneous tissue and interrupted fine nonabsorbable sutures for the skin/vermillion border. Hemostasis is achieved, wound edges are well approximated, and aftercare instructions are provided.

    Typical site of service: outpatient ambulatory clinic, urgent care center, emergency department, or office-based minor procedure room.

    Service type: outpatient minor surgical procedure — intermediate repair of cutaneous and/or mucosal laceration on the face (≤2.5 cm) requiring layered closure.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12052Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 2.6 cm to 5.0 cmUsed when the wound length exceeds 2.5 cm but falls within the next size tier; may be billed if measured length warrants higher code.
    12020Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmPerformed when intermediate repair is on non-facial anatomic sites; relevant if multiple-site injuries include non-face areas.
    12001Repair, simple, wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities; 2.5 cm or lessSimple repair code for wounds not requiring layered closure; relevant when the wound is superficial and does not meet criteria for intermediate repair.
    13131Complex repair, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed for complex repairs requiring extensive undermining, scar revision, or layered closure with extensive tissue rearrangement; relevant when complexity exceeds intermediate repair.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, routine postoperative follow-up (usually included in global package)Represents routine suture removal or postoperative check often performed after wound repair; typically included in global period but listed for workflow relevance.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    208100000XPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation PhysicianPhysical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
    111NR0400XRehabilitation ChiropractorRehabilitation is the discipline focused on restoring a patient's functional abilities to pre-injury or pre-disease status. Functional abilities are d…
    2086S0122XPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery PhysicianA surgeon who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
    207YX0901XOtology & Neurotology PhysicianAn otolaryngologist who treats diseases of the ear and temporal bone, including disorders of hearing and balance. The additional training in otology a…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    17 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    L03.119Cellulitis of unspecified part of limb
    L03.121Acute lymphangitis of right axilla
    L98.0Pyogenic granuloma
    L98.9Disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
    R23.3Spontaneous ecchymoses
    R23.4Changes in skin texture
    S00.12XAContusion of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter
    S00.81XAAbrasion of other part of head, initial encounter
    S00.83XAContusion of other part of head, initial encounter
    S01.01XALaceration without foreign body of scalp, initial encounter

    Showing 1–10 of 17

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid ProductsCigna2026-08-15
    Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per DaysCigna2026-08-15
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medicationsharvard pilgrim health care2026-08-11
    Pharmacologic Treatment of PsoriasisPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical AcneCigna2026-08-01
    Spevigo (spesolimab‑sbzo) for generalized pustular psoriasisUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Onychomycosis Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-08-01
    Spesolimab-sbzo (Spevigoblue cross blue shield - tennessee2026-07-31
    Home ultraviolet light therapy equipment for skin conditionsselect_health2026-07-01

    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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