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CPT 14021: Local Flap Repair of Scalp, Arms, or Legs (10.1–30.0 cm²)
CPT code 14021 denotes repair of lesions on the scalp, arms, or legs using adjacent healthy tissue (local flap) for defects measuring 10.1 cm² to 30.0 cm². This procedure-level surgical code matters nationally because it captures resource use and clinical complexity for common reconstructive needs following tumor excision, trauma, or other skin defects. Accurate coding influences coverage determinations, provider reimbursement, and clinical quality measurement for reconstructive procedures.
Key payers included in the discussion are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for when and where the procedure is performed, typical service lines and sites of care, and the code’s positioning among related reconstruction codes. The publication highlights benchmarking considerations, payer coverage patterns, and coding nuances that affect claims processing and medical necessity review. Relevant clinical and billing guidance is summarized to help stakeholders interpret the code consistently across settings.
The content is organized to provide quick reference on code definition and typical use, followed by practical considerations for claims and payer engagement, and ends with directions for finding associated documentation and related codes. Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 14021 describes a surgical repair in which the provider repairs lesions on the scalp, arms, or legs using healthy tissue from an adjacent site. This code applies to a defect size of 10.1 cm² to 30.0 cm².
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Service type: Partial-thickness or full-thickness soft tissue reconstruction using adjacent tissue transfer (local flap) to close a defect.
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an office-based surgical setting when appropriate.