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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair-Complex Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-13131-complex-wound-repair-cheek-chin-mouth-neck-hands-feet
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    CPT 13131: Complex Wound Repair of Face, Neck, Hands, or Feet 1.1–2.5 cm

    Medicare pays $398 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 13131 describes repair of a complex wound measuring 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm located on the cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet, involving scar revision, debridement, extensive undermining of tissues, and possible use of stents or retention sutures in addition to a layered closure; this is a complex wound repair procedure typically performed by surgical or dermatologic providers in an operating room or procedure suite (ambulatory surgical center) and classified as a minor to moderate outpatient surgical service.

    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 sustaining a laceration to the left cheek from a bicycle accident. The wound measures approximately 1.8 cm in greatest length, with irregular edges and partial tissue loss. The patient is healthy, tetanus up to date, and there is no active infection. The treating physician (board-certified plastic surgeon or emergency medicine physician with wound expertise) performs a layered complex repair under local anesthesia. The procedure includes wound bed debridement, extensive undermining to mobilize tissue edges, scar revision of previous traumatic margins, placement of deep absorbable sutures for layered closure, and use of retention sutures/stents to reduce tension on the skin closure.

    The clinical workflow includes triage and wound assessment, photographic documentation, informed consent, local anesthesia administration, wound irrigation and debridement, layered closure with deep and superficial sutures, application of sterile dressing, and post-procedure wound care instructions. Typical sites of service are the emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, outpatient clinic procedure room, or hospital operating room depending on patient stability and complexity. Common payors for billing include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12032Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmAlternative for intermediate repair when tissue involvement is less extensive or coding differs; might be used if undermining/scar revision criteria are not met.
    13132Repair, complex, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed when the wound length exceeds the size range for 13131 and complexity criteria are present.
    12020Repair, superficial wounds of scalp, arms, legs; 2.5 cm or lessMay be used for superficial closures when no layered or complex techniques are required and site differs.
    15002Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, trunk; first 30 cm2Related when flap or graft techniques are required for larger or more complex tissue loss beyond primary layered closure.
    10160Puncture aspiration of abscessPerformed prior to repair if there is an associated abscess requiring drainage before definitive closure.

    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    208D00000X
    207K00000X
    261QP0904X
    3416L0300X
    2471C3401X

    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-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-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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