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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair-Intermediate Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-12053-intermediate-repair-face-5-1-to-7-5-cm
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    CPT 12053: Intermediate Repair of Facial and Mucosal Wounds 5.1–7.5 cm

    Medicare pays $374 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 12053 describes an intermediate wound repair procedure for the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes for lacerations measuring 5.1 to 7.5 cm; the service type is intermediate repair of complex superficial and deep tissues, typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center, emergency department, or outpatient clinic setting.

    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 male presents to the emergency department after a bicycle accident with a 6.0 cm laceration across the left lower lip and adjacent mucous membrane. After local anesthesia and thorough irrigation, the wound edges are debrided and the deep subcutaneous tissue is approximated with layered closure, followed by fine interrupted sutures for the skin and mucosal repair. The procedure performed is an intermediate repair of the lip and mucous membrane measuring between 5.1 and 7.5 cm, consistent with CPT 12053. Typical workflow includes triage, wound assessment and consent, anesthesia administration (local or regional), layered closure technique using absorbable deep sutures and nonabsorbable or fine absorbable skin/mucosal sutures, post‑procedure wound care instructions, and scheduling of suture removal and follow‑up.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12031Repair, intermediate, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmAlternative intermediate repair code used for non-facial/mucous membrane areas overlapping size range; may be selected if anatomic site differs.
    12041Repair, intermediate, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm, complexData not available in the input.
    13131Repair, complex, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed when complex layered closure with extensive undermining or scar revision is required; may be considered if repair meets complexity criteria.
    12054Repair, intermediate, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cmUsed when the measured wound is larger than 7.5 cm; represents the next size category.
    12020Application of topical medicament to wound(s)May be performed adjunctively for wound care during initial treatment prior to or after repair.

    Related Modifiers

    10 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    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…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    208100000XPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation PhysicianPhysical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
    133NN1002XNutrition Education NutritionistDietary & Nutritional Service Providers · Nutritionist
    193400000XSingle Specialty GroupA business group of one or more individual practitioners, all of who practice with the same area of specialization.
    207QB0002XObesity Medicine (Family Medicine) PhysicianA physician who specializes in the treatment of obesity demonstrates competency in and a thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the ge…
    2082S0099XPlastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck (Plastic Surgery) PhysicianA plastic surgeon with additional training in plastic and reconstructive procedures within the head, face, neck and associated structures, including c…
    261QR0404XCardiac Rehabilitation Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    13 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    L73.2Hidradenitis suppurativa
    L98.0Pyogenic granuloma
    L98.9Disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
    S00.11XAContusion of right eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter
    S00.12XAContusion of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter
    S01.00XAUnspecified open wound of scalp, initial encounter
    S01.01XALaceration without foreign body of scalp, initial encounter
    S01.02XALaceration with foreign body of scalp, initial encounter
    S01.20XAUnspecified open wound of nose, initial encounter
    S01.22XALaceration with foreign body of nose, initial encounter

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    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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