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CPT 15931: Excision of Sacral Pressure Sore with Primary Closure
CPT code 15931 represents surgical excision and primary closure of a pressure sore at the base of the spine (sacral pressure ulcer). This code captures a targeted operative procedure used to remove devitalized tissue and close the wound to reduce infection risk and facilitate healing. Nationally, management of advanced pressure injuries is an important component of surgical wound care and long-term chronic wound management, with implications for inpatient and ambulatory surgical utilization.
Key payers commonly involved in coverage decisions for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the primary service description. The publication also covers payer coverage considerations and common billing modifiers where available, benchmarking and utilization patterns where data exist, and policy or documentation factors that affect claim adjudication.
This summary is intended for clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a concise reference for CPT code 15931, its clinical role in pressure sore management, and the payer landscape relevant to national billing and coverage discussions.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 15931 describes surgical excision of a pressure sore located at the base of the spine with primary closure by suturing the skin edges. The procedure involves removal of necrotic or diseased tissue from a sacral pressure ulcer and closure of the wound to promote healing and reduce infection risk.
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Service type: Surgical wound excision and primary closure
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Typical site of service: Operative setting such as an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room