Summary & Overview
CPT 15776: Scalp Hair Graft Transplantation, More Than 15 Grafts
CPT code 15776 represents a surgical hair transplantation procedure in which more than 15 hair grafts are harvested from a hair-bearing area of the scalp and transferred to a hairless recipient site. This code captures a commonly performed cosmetic and reconstructive service with implications for coverage policies, medical necessity review, and provider documentation nationally. Payers routinely evaluate such procedures for cosmetic versus reconstructive indications and for criteria supporting medical necessity.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service setting, typical payer considerations, and the types of benchmarks and policy updates relevant to this procedure. The publication outlines coding specifics for CPT code 15776, expected service lines, and typical sites of service. It also highlights areas where documentation and indication are commonly reviewed by payers and what national stakeholders often consider when assessing coverage for hair grafting procedures.
The report is intended for a national audience of clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking clear, practice-oriented information about CPT code 15776, including payer coverage landscape, documentation expectations, and common billing modifiers and administrative considerations. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 15776 describes a surgical hair transplantation procedure in which the provider prepares more than 15 hair grafts harvested from a hair-bearing area of the scalp and transfers those grafts to a site that is devoid of hair. The service type is a surgical hair grafting or hair transplant procedure. The typical site of service is an outpatient surgical setting or ambulatory surgery center where minor to moderate surgical procedures on the scalp are performed.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 42-year-old male with a well-demarcated hairless scar on the scalp following prior trauma presents for surgical hair restoration. After evaluation in clinic, the provider schedules an operative session in an ambulatory surgical center. Under local anesthesia with sedation, hair-bearing donor scalp is prepared and more than 15 individual hair grafts are harvested. The recipient area is prepared by cleaning and de-epithelializing the hairless scar, and the provider transfers and implants the grafts into the target site to restore hair density. Typical workflow includes preoperative consent and photographic documentation, surgical harvesting and graft preparation, implantation of grafts, and immediate postoperative instructions. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgical center or office-based surgical suite, depending on payer and facility capabilities. The service type is surgical hair transplantation (graft harvest and placement).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Unspecified | Rarely used; only if payer specifically requires an unspecified modifier code for administrative reasons. |
11 | Active/Regular | Use when reporting the standard, routine service without special circumstances (typical designation for office/surgical services). |