Summary & Overview
CPT 15782: Dermabrasion/Skin Resurfacing, Non-Facial
CPT code 15782 represents a dermatologic skin resurfacing procedure—dermabrasion or sanding—performed on parts of the body other than the face to remove acne scars, lesions, or tattoos. This code captures a common outpatient procedural service that intersects clinical dermatology and cosmetic/medical skin care, with implications for coverage policies and coding accuracy across national payers. Accurate coding for this procedure matters for clinical documentation, benefit determinations, and claims processing given variation in coverage for cosmetic versus medically necessary indications.
Key payers referenced in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the procedure and where it is typically performed, plus national benchmarking and policy context where available. The publication summarizes common payer considerations, billing nuances, and clinical indications tied to procedural coding. It also outlines typical settings of care and the types of documentation that influence payer determinations. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
This summary is intended for clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a concise national-level briefing on CPT code 15782, its clinical context, and the payer landscape relevant to outpatient skin resurfacing on non-facial body sites.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 15782 describes a dermatologic procedure in which a provider removes acne scars, lesions, or tattoos from an area of the body other than the face by lightly sanding the surface of the skin with a specialized tool. This service is a form of skin resurfacing (dermabrasion) targeted at non-facial body sites.
Service type: Skin resurfacing / dermabrasion (non-facial)
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or outpatient clinic / procedure room, where minor dermatologic procedures are commonly performed.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old patient presents to a dermatology clinic for removal of acne scarring on the upper back that has been cosmetically bothersome despite topical therapy. After counseling and informed consent, the patient is prepared in an outpatient procedure room. Local anesthesia (topical or intradermal) is administered to the treatment area. The provider uses a specialized dermabrasion handpiece to lightly sand the epidermal surface and superficial dermis over a delineated area on the trunk, taking care to avoid facial regions (this code is for body sites other than the face). Hemostasis is achieved with topical agents and sterile dressings are applied. The patient is given wound care and activity instructions and scheduled for follow-up to assess healing and scar improvement. Typical sites of service include an ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient department, or dermatologist office procedure suite. The service is coded as 15782 for dermabrasion of an area of the body other than the face.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work, time, or intensity substantially exceeds typical for 15782 (document rationale). |