Summary & Overview
CPT 15877: Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Trunk)
CPT code 15877 denotes suction–assisted lipectomy of the trunk regions, a frequently performed body-contouring surgical procedure to remove localized fat deposits. Nationally, this code captures a common elective cosmetic and reconstructive intervention with implications for surgical practice patterns, facility utilization, and payer coverage policies.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of payer coverage approaches, coding and billing considerations tied to the procedure, typical sites of service, and benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement where available. The publication outlines clinical context for the service, common billing modifiers that may apply, and potential policy updates affecting coverage and prior authorization requirements.
This summary is intended for clinical billers, practice administrators, and policy analysts seeking a concise reference to CPT code 15877, its clinical application, and the payer landscape impacting claims processing and service delivery at the national level.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 15877 describes suction–assisted lipectomy (liposuction) of the trunk regions to remove localized fat deposits. The service type is a surgical body-contouring procedure using suction-assisted techniques. The typical site of service is an outpatient surgical suite or ambulatory surgical center; inpatient settings may be used when clinically indicated.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 38-year-old healthy female presents to a cosmetic surgery clinic requesting contouring of persistent adipose deposits localized to the abdomen and flanks after weight loss and exercise. Following consultation and preoperative evaluation, the surgeon plans suction‑assisted lipectomy of the trunk regions to remove subcutaneous fat deposits. The procedure is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center under general anesthesia with standard sterile technique. Preoperative steps include history and physical, informed consent, marking of planned treatment areas, photographic documentation, and anesthesia evaluation. Intraoperative workflow includes tumescent infiltration, small incisions at trocar sites, suction cannula liposuction of the abdomen and bilateral flanks, hemostasis, compression dressing application, and recovery with short observation. Postoperative instructions include wound care, activity restrictions, compression garment use, and follow‑up visits for dressing removal and assessment of contour and complications.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
59 | Distinct Procedural Service | Use when procedures or services not normally reported together are appropriate to report separately on the same day (e.g., separate anatomic areas treated with distinct technique or documentation). |
52 | Reduced Services | Use when the service performed is substantially reduced or incomplete relative to full procedure (e.g., limited-volume liposuction). |
53 | Discontinued Procedure | Use when the procedure is started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances or adverse events. |
50 | Bilateral Procedure | Use to indicate bilateral procedures when applicable and payer requires bilateral modifier instead of modifier RT/LT. |
LT | Left Side | Use to identify procedures performed on the left side when laterality is required. |
RT | Right Side | Use to identify procedures performed on the right side when laterality is required. |
22 | Increased Procedural Services | Use when work required to provide the service is substantially greater than typically required (must be well documented). |
78 | Unplanned Return to the Operating Room for a Related Procedure by the Same Physician Following Initial Procedure | Use when patient returns to OR intra‑ or post‑operatively for a problem related to the original procedure. |
80 | Assistant Surgeon | Use when an assistant surgeon participates in the procedure; report in accordance with payer policy for assistant surgeon services. |
AS | Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, or Clinical Nurse Specialist Services for Assistant at Surgery | Use when an advanced practice clinician serves as an assistant at surgery where permitted. |
26 | Professional Component | Use when only the professional component of a service is reported separate from the technical component. |
TC | Technical Component | Use when only the technical component of a service is reported separate from the professional component. |
22 | Increased Procedural Services | Use when the surgeon documents substantially greater work than typical (duplicate entry for emphasis on documentation requirements). |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
208100000X | Plastic Surgery | Surgeons who commonly perform cosmetic and contouring liposuction of the trunk. |
207V00000X | General Surgery | General surgeons who perform body contouring and liposuction in some practices. |
207X00000X | Dermatology | Dermatologic surgeons performing suction‑assisted lipectomy for localized fatty deposits in select practices. |
367500000X | Cosmetic Surgery | Physicians focused on elective cosmetic procedures including trunk liposuction. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
E66.9 | Obesity, unspecified | Common comorbidity; patients may seek trunk liposuction for localized adiposity despite overall weight considerations. |
E66.01 | Morbid (severe) obesity due to excess calories | Relevant when assessing perioperative risk and counseling; liposuction is typically for localized fat rather than treatment of obesity. |
M79.89 | Other soft tissue disorders, not elsewhere classified | Used occasionally for soft‑tissue contouring complaints related to subcutaneous tissue. |
L90.5 | Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin | Relevant when liposuction is performed to address contour irregularities or scar‑related adhesions. |
R63.5 | Abnormal weight gain | May be documented in history when localized fat accumulation is the indication for contouring. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
15877 | Suction‑assisted lipectomy; trunk | Primary code describing suction‑assisted removal of fat deposits from trunk regions. |
15876 | Suction‑assisted lipectomy; head and neck | Performed when adjacent regions such as the neck are concurrently treated; indicates separate anatomic area. |
15878 | Suction‑assisted lipectomy; lower extremity | Performed when leg contouring is done in the same operative session; documents additional anatomic regions. |
19318 | Reduction mammaplasty | May be performed in combination with trunk contouring when breast reduction or reshaping is clinically indicated. |
15777 | Unlisted procedure, skin and subcutaneous tissue | Used when an uncommon or nonstandardized soft‑tissue contouring procedure is performed that does not match specific CPT codes. |
11920 | Tissue filler injection, subcutaneous, for contouring | May be used adjunctively in staged aesthetic workflows for minor contour irregularities after liposuction. |