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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair-Complex Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-13120-complex-repair-wound-1-1-to-2-5-cm-scalp-arms-legs
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    CPT 13120: Complex Repair of Wound 1.1–2.5 cm on Scalp/Arms/Legs

    Medicare pays $363 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 13120 describes a complex repair procedure for a wound measuring 1.1 to 2.5 cm located on the scalp, arms, and/or legs, typically categorized as a minor surgical soft-tissue repair performed in an ambulatory surgical center or outpatient clinic and involving layered closure, extensive undermining, or other components beyond simple or intermediate repair.

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

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 42-year-old male who presents to the emergency department after sustaining a sharp laceration to the forearm while handling broken glass. The wound measures approximately 1.6 cm in length, involves full-thickness skin with irregular edges and some contamination, and is located on the arm. After initial triage, wound cleaning, and local anesthesia, a physician trained in minor surgical procedures performs a complex layered repair due to involvement of deeper subcutaneous tissue, jagged wound edges, and the need for layered closure to restore function and cosmetic appearance. The clinical workflow includes wound assessment, informed consent, administration of local anesthesia, debridement as needed, layered closure with absorbable deep sutures and nonabsorbable epidermal sutures, documentation of wound length and complexity, post-procedure instructions, and scheduling follow-up for suture removal and wound check. Typical sites of service are the emergency department, urgent care center, or outpatient surgical clinic. Common payors include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12001Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities; 0 to 2.5 cmAlternative for simple closures when wound complexity does not meet criteria for complex repair.
    13121Complex repair, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed when the wound length exceeds the 1.1–2.5 cm range and requires a larger complex repair code.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, global period included servicesUsed to document routine postoperative visits during the global period after complex repair.
    12032Repair, intermediate wounds of scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmRelated intermediate repair codes for comparison when wound complexity differs.
    99499Unlisted evaluation and management serviceOccasionally used for reporting unusual evaluation services not described by standard E/M codes when performed on same day (rare).

    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    385HR2060X
    261QP0905X
    261QM1000X
    207WX0107X
    291U00000X
    2279P1004X
    2471M2300X
    2278P1006X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    17 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B35.1Tinea unguium
    E87.6Hypokalemia
    F10.20Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated
    I10Essential (primary) hypertension
    L08.9Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
    R58Hemorrhage, not elsewhere classified
    S00.83XAContusion of other part of head, initial encounter
    S01.91XALaceration without foreign body of unspecified part of head, initial encounter
    S30.0XXAContusion of lower back and pelvis, initial encounter

    Showing 1–10 of 17

    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-13100-COMPLEX-REPAIR-TRUNK-1-1-TO-2-5-CM

    CPT 13100: Complex Repair of Trunk Wound 1.1–2.5 cm

    CPT-13101-COMPLEX-REPAIR-WOUND-TRUNK-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

    CPT 13101: Complex Repair of Wound to Trunk (2.6–7.5 cm)

    CPT-13102-COMPLEX-REPAIR-TRUNK-ADDITIONAL-5CM-OR-LESS

    CPT 13102: Complex Repair of Additional Trunk Wound (≤5 cm)

    CPT-13121-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

    CPT 13121: Complex Repair of Scalp, Arms, or Legs (2.6–7.5 cm)

    CPT-13122-ADDITIONAL-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 13122: Complex Repair of Additional 5 cm for Scalp/Arms/Legs

    CPT-13131-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-CHEEK-CHIN-MOUTH-NECK-HANDS-FEET

    CPT 13131: Complex Wound Repair of Face, Neck, Hands, or Feet 1.1–2.5 cm

    CPT-13132-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-CHEEK-CHIN-MOUTH-NECK

    CPT 13132: Complex Repair of Wound 2.6–7.5 cm on Face/Hands/Feet

    CPT-13133-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-FACE-NECK-HANDS-FEET

    CPT 13133: Complex Repair of Wounds on Face, Neck, Trunk, Extremities

    CPT-13151-COMPLEX-FACIAL-LACERATION-REPAIR-1-1-TO-2-5-CM

    CPT 13151: Complex Repair of Eyelids, Nose, Ears, or Lips

    CPT-13152-COMPLEX-REPAIR-EYELIDS-NOSE-EARS-LIPS-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

    CPT 13152: Complex Repair of Eyelids, Nose, Ears, or Lips 2.6–7.5 cm

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    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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