CPT 15876: Submental Liposuction (Neck and Head Regions)

CPT code 15876 represents suction–assisted lipectomy (liposuction) of the neck (submental lipectomy) and head regions to remove localized fat that contributes to a double–chin appearance. As a targeted cosmetic surgical procedure, this code is used to report removal of submental and adjacent head/neck fat via liposuction techniques. Nationally, procedures coded with 15876 are relevant for cosmetic and reconstructive practice patterns, facility planning for outpatient surgical services, and payer coverage determinations for aesthetic procedures.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the common billing modifiers associated with this service. The publication also provides benchmarking context and policy considerations relevant to coverage, documentation, and coding compliance for outpatient cosmetic liposuction procedures. This resource is intended to help coding managers, billing teams, and policy analysts understand where 15876 fits within surgical service lines, what to expect regarding typical delivery settings, and which payers commonly appear in coverage discussions. Data not available in the input for more granular items such as associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnosis pairings, and payer-specific reimbursement rates.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 15876 describes suction–assisted lipectomy (liposuction) of the neck (submental lipectomy) and head regions to remove localized fat deposits that produce a double–chin appearance. The service type is surgical cosmetic body contouring focused on the submental and adjacent head/neck fat compartments. The typical site of service is an outpatient surgical suite, ambulatory surgery center, or office-based procedure room with appropriate surgical support.

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CPT 15876: Submental Liposuction (Neck and Head Regions)

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 42-year-old patient presents to a board-certified plastic surgeon with persistent submental fullness causing a cosmetic double-chin despite stable body weight and targeted weight loss. The patient requests improvement of neck contour. After evaluation, including medical history, physical exam assessing skin laxity and amount/distribution of submental fat, the surgeon recommends suction-assisted lipectomy of the submental and adjacent head/neck fat pockets to remove localized adipose deposits and refine the cervicomental angle. Preoperative workup includes informed consent, photographs, marking of treatment areas, and standard pre-op labs as indicated. The procedure is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center under local tumescent anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on patient and surgeon preference. Postoperative care includes compressive dressing, activity restrictions, scheduled follow-up visits for dressing removal and assessment, and instructions for signs of infection or hematoma requiring urgent evaluation.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`15876`	Suction-assisted lipectomy; neck (submental lipectomy) and head regions	Primary procedure to remove localized submental and head/neck fat deposits.
`15877`	Suction-assisted lipectomy; other areas (list separately in CPT)	May be reported when additional body areas are treated with liposuction during the same operative session.
`20926`	Excision, tumor, soft tissue of face or scalp subcutaneous tissue; less than 1.0 cm	Used if concurrent excision of small subcutaneous lesions in the submental area occurs during the same session.
`15822`	Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (e.g., panniculectomy) — limited to neck (example)	Related for procedures addressing skin redundancy when skin tightening or direct excision accompanies liposuction (use exact applicable code per CPT).
`15777`	Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue of head and neck	Use when additional head/neck contouring procedures not described by standard CPT codes are performed with `15876`.

Related Modifiers

10 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…	- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
26	Modifier 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…
50	Modifier –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…
51	Modifier –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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
2086S0127X	Trauma Surgery Physician	Trauma surgery is a recognized subspecialty of general surgery. Trauma surgeons are physicians who have completed a five-year general surgery residenc…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
363A00000X	Physician Assistant	A physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
374K00000X	Religious Nonmedical Practitioner	A religious nonmedical practitioner offers spiritually-based care. Services may be rendered in an office, home, or care facility or by phone, email, …
246RH0600X	Histology Technician	Technologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Technician, Pathology
207LA0401X	Addiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) Physician	An anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.

CPT 15780: Device-Based Facial Treatment for Acne, Scars, Wrinkles

CPT-15781-FACIAL-DERMABRASION-PARTIAL-FACE

CPT 15781: Partial-Face Dermabrasion for Acne Scars and Lesions

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

CPT 15782: Dermabrasion/Skin Resurfacing, Non-Facial

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

CPT 15783: Superficial Skin Resurfacing for Tattoo and Light Scar Removal

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

CPT 15786: Single-Lesion Skin Sanding (Superficial Resurfacing)

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

CPT 15787: Dermal Resurfacing, Removal of 1–4 Additional Lesions

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

CPT 15788: Chemical Peel (Chemexfoliation) for Skin Resurfacing

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 Skin Resurfacing

Showing 1–10 of 41

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`15876`	Suction-assisted lipectomy; neck (submental lipectomy) and head regions	Primary procedure to remove localized submental and head/neck fat deposits.
`15877`	Suction-assisted lipectomy; other areas (list separately in CPT)	May be reported when additional body areas are treated with liposuction during the same operative session.
`20926`	Excision, tumor, soft tissue of face or scalp subcutaneous tissue; less than 1.0 cm	Used if concurrent excision of small subcutaneous lesions in the submental area occurs during the same session.
`15822`	Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (e.g., panniculectomy) — limited to neck (example)	Related for procedures addressing skin redundancy when skin tightening or direct excision accompanies liposuction (use exact applicable code per CPT).
`15777`	Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue of head and neck	Use when additional head/neck contouring procedures not described by standard CPT codes are performed with `15876`.

Related Modifiers

10 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…	- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
26	Modifier 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…
50	Modifier –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…
51	Modifier –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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
2086S0127X	Trauma Surgery Physician	Trauma surgery is a recognized subspecialty of general surgery. Trauma surgeons are physicians who have completed a five-year general surgery residenc…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
363A00000X	Physician Assistant	A physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
374K00000X	Religious Nonmedical Practitioner	A religious nonmedical practitioner offers spiritually-based care. Services may be rendered in an office, home, or care facility or by phone, email, …
246RH0600X	Histology Technician	Technologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Technician, Pathology
207LA0401X	Addiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) Physician	An anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.

CPT 15780: Device-Based Facial Treatment for Acne, Scars, Wrinkles

CPT-15781-FACIAL-DERMABRASION-PARTIAL-FACE

CPT 15781: Partial-Face Dermabrasion for Acne Scars and Lesions

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

CPT 15782: Dermabrasion/Skin Resurfacing, Non-Facial

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

CPT 15783: Superficial Skin Resurfacing for Tattoo and Light Scar Removal

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

CPT 15786: Single-Lesion Skin Sanding (Superficial Resurfacing)

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

CPT 15787: Dermal Resurfacing, Removal of 1–4 Additional Lesions

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

CPT 15788: Chemical Peel (Chemexfoliation) for Skin Resurfacing

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 Skin Resurfacing

Showing 1–10 of 41

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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OpenPayer

CPT 15876: Submental Liposuction (Neck and Head Regions)

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 15876: Submental Liposuction (Neck and Head Regions)

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

CPT 15876: Submental Liposuction (Neck and Head Regions)

Sign up for cpt 15876 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 15876: Submental Liposuction (Neck and Head Regions)

Sign up for cpt 15876 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What exactly does CPT 15876 describe and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are commonly associated with CPT 15876 and when should they be considered?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with performing or supporting this procedure?

What related CPT codes should be considered when additional procedures are performed with 15876?

What clinical and documentation elements are highlighted for cases billed with CPT 15876?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What exactly does CPT 15876 describe and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are commonly associated with CPT 15876 and when should they be considered?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with performing or supporting this procedure?

What related CPT codes should be considered when additional procedures are performed with 15876?

What clinical and documentation elements are highlighted for cases billed with CPT 15876?

References