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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Repair (Closure) Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-15836-arm-skin-subcutaneous-tissue-removal
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    CPT 15836: Removal of Excess Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue of Arm

    Medicare pays $744 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 15836 describes surgical removal of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue of the arm, a soft-tissue excision procedure typically performed as a reconstructive or cosmetic surgical service in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center; the service involves excision of redundant tissue to improve contour and function of the upper extremity and is billed as a surgical procedure for the arm.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products, Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a middle-aged to older adult who presents with symptomatic excess skin and subcutaneous tissue of the upper arm following massive weight loss or age-related tissue laxity. The patient reports functional limitations such as skin irritation, difficulty with hygiene, chafing, or cosmetic concerns affecting activities and quality of life. Preoperative evaluation includes medical history, focused physical exam of the upper extremities, documentation of stable weight, assessment of comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, smoking status), and discussion of realistic outcomes and potential complications. Imaging is not routinely required. The surgical workflow includes preoperative marking in the standing position, administration of regional block or general anesthesia, excision of redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue with careful hemostasis, layered closure often with drains, dressing application, and postoperative instructions for wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up visits for drain and suture removal. Typical site of service is an outpatient ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department. Typical service type is an excisional plastic surgery procedure (brachioplasty).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    15830Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); abdomen, infraumbilical panniculectomyPerformed for trunk contouring in patients with massive weight loss; may be done in staged repairs with arm procedures
    15734Full-thickness skin graft, free, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 15736 (if listed)May be used when primary closure is not possible and grafting is required for coverage after extensive excision
    15837Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); thighSimilar body-contouring procedure frequently performed in conjunction with arm contouring for overall aesthetic/body-contour plans
    12032Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, arms, and legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed for layered closure of incisions when billed separately in uncommon circumstances where repair coding is required
    10120Incision and drainage, complex or infected post-operative woundMay be applicable for postoperative wound complications requiring procedural management
    20550Injection(s); single tendon sheath, ligament, or trigger pointMay be performed perioperatively for localized pain control or diagnostic purposes
    99499Unlisted evaluation and management serviceUsed rarely for reporting atypical perioperative management not described by standard codes

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    208600000XSurgery PhysicianA general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of s…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363LF0000XFamily Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    208800000XUrology PhysicianA urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
    2086S0102XSurgical Critical Care PhysicianA surgeon with expertise in the management of the critically ill and postoperative patient, particularly the trauma victim, who specializes in critica…
    2081H0002XHospice and Palliative Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with l…
    207PS0010XSports Medicine (Emergency Medicine) PhysicianAn emergency physician with special knowledge in sports medicine is responsible for continuous care in the field of sports medicine, not only for the …

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 2

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid ProductsCigna2026-08-15
    Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per DaysCigna2026-08-15
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medicationsharvard pilgrim health care2026-08-11
    Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical AcneCigna2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-15780-FACIAL-DEVICE-BASED-RESURFACING-TOTAL-FACE

    CPT 15780: Rotational Device Treatment of Total Face

    CPT-15781-FACIAL-DERMABRASION-PARTIAL-FACE

    CPT 15781: Partial-Face Dermabrasion for Scars, Lesions, Tattoos

    CPT-15782-NON-FACIAL-DERMABRASION-SKIN-RESURFACING

    CPT 15782: Dermabrasion, Non-Facial Skin

    CPT-15783-SUPERFICIAL-SKIN-RESURFACING-TATTOO-AND-SCAR-REMOVAL

    CPT 15783: Dermabrasion for Tattoo and Superficial Lesion Removal

    CPT-15786-SKIN-LESION-SANDING-DERMABRASION-SINGLE-LESION

    CPT 15786: Skin Surface Abrasion for Single Lesion

    CPT-15787-DERMAL-RESURFACING-ADDITIONAL-LESIONS-1-TO-4

    CPT 15787: Removal of 1–4 Additional Lesions by Light Dermabrasion

    CPT-15788-CHEMICAL-PEEL-CHEMEXFOLIATION-SKIN-RESURFACING

    CPT 15788: Chemical Peel (Chemexfoliation) for Superficial Skin Lesions

    CPT-15789-CHEMICAL-PEEL-CHEMEXFOLIATION

    CPT 15789: Chemical Peel (Chemexfoliation)

    CPT-15792-CHEMICAL-PEEL-CHEMEXFOLIATION

    CPT 15792: Chemical Peel (Chemexfoliation)

    CPT-15793-CHEMICAL-PEEL-CHEMEXFOLIATION-SKIN-RESURFACING

    CPT 15793: Chemical Peel (Chemexfoliation) for Superficial Skin Damage

    Showing 1–10 of 41

    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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