Summary & Overview
CPT 15834: Removal of Excess Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue of Hip
CPT code 15834 codes for surgical removal of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue of the hip. Nationally, this code represents body-contouring procedures performed to correct redundant soft tissue of the hip region following weight loss, aging, or other causes of tissue laxity. It matters because these procedures intersect surgical, reconstructive, and cosmetic care pathways and can affect coverage determinations, utilization patterns, and facility resource planning across payers.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise policy and billing-focused overview that summarizes typical clinical context, expected sites of service, and payer relevance. The publication outlines benchmarks and payment considerations, common billing modifiers and coding relationships, and clinical factors that influence coverage decisions. It also highlights areas for coding accuracy and documentation best practices to support claims processing.
This piece is intended for a national audience of billing professionals, coders, practice managers, and clinicians seeking a clear, practical summary of CPT code 15834 and its role in surgical soft-tissue procedures of the hip.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 15834 describes the removal of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue of the hip. This procedure is a form of soft-tissue excision intended to address redundant skin and adipose tissue localized to the hip region.
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Service type: Surgical excision / dermatologic-plastic procedure
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room, depending on patient complexity and anesthesia needs
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a middle-aged to older adult who presents with symptomatic redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue over the lateral hip region following massive weight loss, post-bariatric surgery changes, or age-related tissue laxity. The patient reports chafing, recurrent intertrigo, hygiene difficulties, and localized pain or functional limitation when wearing clothing. Preoperative evaluation includes a focused history, physical examination of the hips and adjacent trunk, assessment of comorbidities (cardiopulmonary status, diabetes, smoking, nutrition), and documentation of conservative care attempts (topical measures, weight stabilization). Imaging is rarely required but may include photographs for medical record and surgical planning.
The clinical workflow: outpatient surgical consultation followed by preoperative clearance and informed consent; marking of resection lines with the patient standing; operative removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue under appropriate anesthesia with hemostasis and layered closure; postoperative monitoring in PACU and discharge with wound care instructions. Typical follow-up includes early wound check within 1–2 weeks and subsequent visits to assess healing and address complications such as seroma, wound dehiscence, or infection.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Office or other outpatient service as the professional component | Use when the usual, customary service is provided without extenuating circumstances in the professional setting |
22 | Unusual procedural services | Use when substantially greater effort or time is required due to complexity (document extensively) |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when the procedure is performed on both left and right hips during the same operative session |
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when 15834 is billed with other distinct procedures performed during the same operative session |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure was started but terminated due to unforeseen circumstances |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons on a case that requires distinct skills |
63 | Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg | Generally not applicable to hip skin excision but included when patient meets criteria |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Data not available in the input. |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating room | Use when a patient requires an immediate return to the OR for a related complication |
LT | Left side | Use to specify left hip when laterality needs to be indicated |
RT | Right side | Use to specify right hip when laterality needs to be indicated |
TS | Data not available in the input. | Data not available in the input. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Data not available in the input. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
207K00000X | Plastic Surgeon | Primary specialty performing body contouring and excision of redundant skin |
2083P0200X | General Surgeon | May perform skin and subcutaneous tissue excisions in post-bariatric or trauma cases |
2086S0112X | Dermatologic Surgery | May perform limited excisions when skin involvement is primary concern |
163W00000X | Wound Care Specialist | Involved in postoperative management of complicated wounds |
207L00000X | Cosmetic Surgeon | Performs elective contouring procedures focused on aesthetic outcomes |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
L98.4 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, unspecified | May be relevant if redundant skin contributes to chronic breakdown or ulceration in the hip folds |
L30.9 | Dermatitis, unspecified | Intertriginous dermatitis from skin folds can be an indication when conservative therapy fails |
M79.1 | Myalgia | Localized pain related to tissue redundancy may be coded adjunctively to describe symptoms |
E66.01 | Morbid (severe) obesity due to excess calories | Common underlying history in patients with massive weight loss and redundant skin |
Z98.84 | Bariatric surgery status | Indicates prior weight-loss surgery often associated with subsequent body-contouring procedures |
L03.115 | Cellulitis of right lower limb | Postoperative or preoperative infection risk or coexisting infection influencing timing of surgery |
L03.116 | Cellulitis of left lower limb | As above for the left side |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
15830 | Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (eg, trunk) | Similar body-contouring excision; may be used when excision involves adjacent trunk rather than isolated hip |
15738 | Muscle, myofascial, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunk | Used when adjacent tissue transfer is required for closure after extensive resection |
12032 | Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities; 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm | Used for layered closure of excised areas when reported separately in conjunction with debridement or wound repair |
11042 | Debridement, subcutaneous tissue | Used when devitalized tissue requires debridement in the operative field prior to closure |
20610 | Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip) | May be performed pre- or postoperatively for joint-related pain management though not directly part of 15834 |
99100 | Anesthesia for patient of extreme age, younger than 1 year or older than 70 years, major cases | Reported when anesthesia modifier/extra services apply per payer policy |