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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Repair (Closure) Procedures on the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-15839-excision-excessive-skin-subcutaneous-tissue-unspecified-area
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    CPT 15839: Excision of Excess Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Unspecified Area

    Medicare pays $986 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 15839 describes excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue in an area not specified by other CPT codes, a surgical soft-tissue excision procedure typically performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room for removal of redundant skin and subcutaneous fat; this code applies to the surgical service of tissue removal and wound closure associated with body-contouring or reconstructive excision when no more specific CPT code exists.

    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 middle-aged to older adult presenting with redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue of an anatomical area not covered by more specific excision codes (for example, a localized region on the torso, medial thigh, or upper arm not meeting criteria for panniculectomy or abdominoplasty). The patient often reports localized irritation, hygiene difficulty, recurrent intertrigo, or cosmetic concern following significant weight loss or as a result of aging and skin laxity. Preoperative evaluation includes history and physical exam documenting the size, location, and functional impact of the excess tissue, assessment of comorbidities (diabetes, smoking status, coagulation disorders), medication review, and photographic documentation. Informed consent addresses risks such as bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence, seroma, contour irregularity, and need for possible revision.

    The clinical workflow typically includes outpatient surgical planning in a dermatology, plastic surgery, or general surgery clinic; preoperative clearance as indicated; performance of the excision in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient setting under local, regional, or general anesthesia depending on extent and patient factors; intraoperative specimen handling and measurement; and postoperative follow-up for wound checks, suture removal, and management of complications. Documentation should specify the exact anatomical site, estimated and measured amount of tissue removed, operative technique, anesthesia, and any concurrent procedures or unusual intraoperative events.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    15847Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); abdomen, infraumbilical panniculectomy.Often used when the excess tissue is on the lower abdomen and meets criteria for panniculectomy; more specific than 15839 for that site.
    15738Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); abdomen, extensive, including removal of suprapubic fat pad.Used for larger, more extensive abdominal excisions; may be chosen instead of 15839 when description matches.
    15830Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); arm.Used when the excision is specifically on the arm; select this code instead of 15839 when applicable.
    15832Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (including lipectomy); thigh.Used when the procedure is specifically on the thigh; select this code instead of 15839 when applicable.
    13131Repair, complex, trunk; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm.May be billed if complex layered closure or flap reconstruction is required at the excision site in addition to 15839.
    12032Repair, intermediate, wounds of trunk, 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm.May be reported for intermediate closure techniques performed in conjunction with the excision when separate reporting is allowed.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    335G00000XMedical Foods SupplierA supplier of special replacement foods for clients with errors of metabolism that prohibit them from eating a regular diet. Medical foods are lacki…
    111NI0013XIndependent Medical Examiner ChiropractorA special evaluator not involved with the medical care of the individual examinee that impartially evaluates the care being provided by other practiti…
    1223X2210XOrofacial Pain DentistryA dentist who assesses, diagnoses, and treats patients with complex chronic orofacial pain and dysfunction disorders, oromotor and jaw behavior disord…
    231HA2400XAssistive Technology Practitioner AudiologistSpeech, Language and Hearing Service Providers · Audiologist
    261QM1300XMulti-Specialty Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    310500000XMental Illness Intermediate Care FacilityA nursing facility that provides an intermediate level of nursing care to individuals whose functional abilities are significantly compromise by menta…
    251S00000XCommunity/Behavioral Health AgencyA private or public agency usually under local government jurisdiction, responsible for assuring the delivery of community based mental health, intell…
    385H00000XRespite CareRespite Care Facility · Respite Care

    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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