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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Repair (Closure) Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-15837-forearm-hand-excess-skin-removal
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    CPT 15837: Excision of Excess Skin/Subcutaneous Tissue, Forearm or Hand

    Medicare pays $965 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 15837 describes surgical removal of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue of the forearm or hand; this is a soft-tissue excision procedure performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center and is typically classified as a minor to moderate outpatient surgical service for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes related to excess tissue.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin Lesions, Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 58-year-old adult with localized symptomatic excess skin and subcutaneous tissue of the forearm following massive weight loss or chronic lymphedema. The patient reports functional limitation, recurrent skin irritation, and difficulty with hygiene. Preoperative evaluation includes history and physical, assessment of vascular and neurologic status of the limb, photographic documentation, and informed consent discussing potential risks (wound dehiscence, infection, nerve injury, contour irregularity, need for revision). The clinical workflow includes preoperative marking of excision patterns, administration of regional block or general anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department, excision of redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue with layered closure, possible local flap or skin graft if required, intraoperative hemostasis, application of dressings and a compression garment, postoperative instructions, and scheduled follow-up for wound checks and suture removal. Typical sites of service are ambulatory surgical center, hospital outpatient department, or inpatient surgical service if comorbidities require admission.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    15830Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (eg, panniculectomy), abdomen, umbilical to pubic area; single layer closureSimilar skin/subcutaneous excision technique; analogous coding for excess tissue removal in another anatomic site and useful for cross-referencing coding principles.
    13131Repair, complex, trunk; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmMay be used when complex layered closure or scar revision is required adjunctively for contour and functional restoration after excision.
    12032Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmMay be reported for intermediate layered closure of the incision created during excision when documentation supports component-based reporting.
    15734Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunkListed as an example of reconstructive options when larger defects require flap coverage after excision; used when reconstruction beyond primary closure is performed.
    29580Application of multi-layer compression device (eg, for lymphedema)May be used postoperatively for compression management of the limb following removal of excess tissue.

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    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…
    [object Object]
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    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…
    152WX0102XOccupational Vision OptometristOptometrists who work in Occupational Vision, the branch of environmental optometry, consider all aspects of the relationship between work and vision,…
    332G00000XEye BankAn eye bank procures and distributes eyes for transplant, education and research. To promote patient safety, donated eyes and donor medial histories a…
    171400000XHealth & Wellness CoachThe Health & Wellness Coach is trained in motivational theories, strategies, and communication techniques, which are used to assist patients to develo…
    251J00000XNursing Care AgencyA Nursing Care Agency is an entity that provides skilled nursing care through the services of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (L…
    261QP2000XPhysical Therapy Clinic/CenterAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility providing diagnostic and treatment services related to physical rehabilitation. Physical therapy i…
    2080P0203XPediatric Critical Care Medicine PhysicianA pediatrician expert in advanced life support for children from the term or near-term neonate to the adolescent. This competence extends to the criti…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    18 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E88.09Other disorders of plasma-protein metabolism, not elsewhere classified
    E88.89Other specified metabolic disorders
    I83.813Varicose veins of bilateral lower extremities with pain
    I87.2Venous insufficiency (chronic) (peripheral)
    L90.5Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin
    L97.409Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified heel and midfoot with unspecified severity
    L97.929Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of left lower leg with unspecified severity
    L98.0Pyogenic granuloma
    L98.9Disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
    M25.511Pain in right shoulder

    Showing 1–10 of 18

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin LesionsAnthem2026-10-01
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains)universityofutahhealthplans2026-09-28
    AnzupgoCigna2026-09-15
    Zevaskyn Coverage for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaCigna2026-09-01
    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
    Dermatology - Anzupgo Prior Authorization PolicyCigna2026-08-05
    Light Therapy for Dermatologic Conditionsbcbsvermont2026-08-01

    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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