How To Use CPT Code 15003

CPT code 15003 describes the surgical preparation or creation of a recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissues. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 15003?

CPT 15003 is a code used to describe the surgical preparation or creation of a recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissues. This procedure is performed to repair areas of the trunk, arms, or legs. It can be used for both adults and children, with additional considerations for infants and children under 10 years old.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 15003 is: ‘Surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar (including subcutaneous tissues), or incisional release of scar contracture, trunk, arms, legs each additional 100 sq cm, or part thereof, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)’

3. Procedure

The procedure for CPT code 15003 involves the surgical preparation or creation of a recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissues. The provider marks the area to be repaired and makes an incision, removing the damaged tissue. This may include the removal of scar tissue or the release of scar contracture. The provider ensures that the bleeding is controlled and prepares the area for future skin grafting if necessary.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 15003 is used for patients who require surgical preparation or creation of a recipient site for skin grafting. This may include patients with open wounds, burn eschar, or scar contracture in the trunk, arms, or legs. The code can be used for both adults and children, with additional considerations for infants and children under 10 years old.

5. When to use CPT code 15003

CPT code 15003 should be used when the provider performs the surgical preparation or creation of a recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissues. This code should be used in conjunction with a primary procedure code, as it is an add-on code. It is important to follow the specific guidelines and documentation requirements for reporting CPT code 15003.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 15003, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for surgical preparation or creation of a recipient site
• Specific details of the procedure performed, including the size and location of the area treated
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Any additional procedures performed in conjunction with CPT code 15003
• Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 15003, it is important to ensure that the procedure meets the specific criteria outlined in the code description. This includes the excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar, including subcutaneous tissues. CPT code 15003 is an add-on code and should be reported in addition to a primary procedure code. It is important to follow the specific guidelines and documentation requirements for reporting CPT code 15003.

8. Historical information

CPT code 15003 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2007. There have been no updates to the code since its addition. It is important to stay updated with any changes or revisions to CPT code 15003.

9. Similar codes to CPT 15003

There are several similar codes to CPT code 15003 that may be used in different scenarios. These include:

• CPT 15002: Surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar (including subcutaneous tissues), or incisional release of scar contracture, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or 1% of body area of infants and children (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• CPT 15004: Surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar (including subcutaneous tissues), or incisional release of scar contracture, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; first 100 sq cm or 1% of body area of infants and children (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• CPT 15005: Surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar (including subcutaneous tissues), or incisional release of scar contracture, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; each additional 100 sq cm or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

9. Examples

1. A patient with a severe burn injury requires surgical preparation of the recipient site on their leg for a skin graft.
2. A patient with a large scar on their arm requires surgical excision and preparation of the recipient site for scar contracture release.
3. A child with a deep open wound on their trunk requires surgical preparation of the recipient site for a skin graft.
4. A patient with a burn eschar on their leg requires surgical excision and preparation of the recipient site for a skin graft.
5. A patient with a scar contracture on their arm requires surgical release and preparation of the recipient site for scar revision.
6. A child with a burn injury on their leg requires surgical preparation of the recipient site for a skin graft.
7. A patient with a large scar on their trunk requires surgical excision and preparation of the recipient site for scar revision.
8. A child with a deep open wound on their arm requires surgical preparation of the recipient site for a skin graft.