Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair-Complex Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-13121-complex-wound-repair-scalp-arms-legs-2-6-to-7-5-cm
    Ask Trek AI about this page

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

    Medicare pays $432 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 13121 describes a complex repair procedure for a wound of the scalp, arms, and/or legs with a length of 2.6 to 7.5 cm, typically performed as a surgical complex closure in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient/operating room setting for management of lacerations requiring layered closure, extensive undermining, scar revision, or other complex techniques.

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

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 13121 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 13121 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a fall from a ladder and has an open scalp laceration and two linear wounds on the forearm. After triage and local anesthesia, the surgical team evaluates the wounds: the scalp wound measures 4.5 cm with underlying galeal involvement and irregular edges, and a forearm wound measures 3.0 cm with moderate tissue loss requiring layered closure. The procedure performed is a complex repair of wounds to the scalp and arm using layered closure with deep buried sutures plus epidermal approximation. Hemostasis is obtained, and sterile dressings are applied. The patient receives tetanus prophylaxis per protocol. The service is documented in the operative note with measurements of each wound, technique used for deep and superficial closure, anesthesia type, and personnel involved. Typical site of service is the emergency department or ambulatory surgical center depending on acuity and facility capability. The service type is an operative complex wound repair under local anesthesia with possible sedation and includes closure of wounds measuring between 2.6 and 7.5 cm each, appropriate for 13121.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12032Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmAlternative intermediate repair code for wounds of similar size when complexity does not meet criteria for complex repair; used when layered closure without significant undermining or buried sutures is performed.
    12034Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, arms, and/or legs; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cmUsed when a single wound exceeds the size range for 13121 and intermediate repair coding is appropriate for larger but not complex repairs.
    13122Complex repair of wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmRelated complex repair code for cosmetically sensitive facial areas; used when wounds are on the face rather than scalp/arms/legs.
    99499Unlisted evaluation and management serviceMay be used for reporting unusual E/M services associated with operative care if no other E/M code applies.
    12002Repair, simple, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed when wound complexity is simple rather than intermediate or complex; documents less extensive closure technique.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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.,…
    57CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
    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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    208D00000X
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    101Y00000X
    207ZC0006X
    163WX1100X

    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-13120-COMPLEX-REPAIR-WOUND-1-1-TO-2-5-CM-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 13120: Complex Repair of Wound 1.1–2.5 cm on Scalp/Arms/Legs

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.