How To Use CPT Code 15130

CPT code 15130 describes the harvesting and placement of a dermal autograft on the trunk, arms, or legs. 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 15130?

CPT 15130 is used to describe the procedure of harvesting and placing a dermal autograft on the trunk, arms, or legs. This code specifically covers the first 100 square centimeters or less of an adult, or 1 percent of the body surface area of an infant or child.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 15130 is: ‘Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children.’

3. Procedure

The procedure for CPT code 15130 involves the use of a dermatome to raise a split-thickness skin graft from the patient’s donor site. The dermatome is then used to harvest dermal tissue that is 0.01 inches in depth and covers the first 100 square centimeters or less of an adult, or 1 percent of the body surface area of an infant or child. This harvested dermal tissue is then transplanted to the patient’s recipient burn or wound site on the trunk, arms, or legs to effectively close the wound. The split-thickness skin graft is reattached to the donor site on the edges that were previously raised.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 15130 is used for patients who require a dermal autograft on the trunk, arms, or legs. The procedure is typically performed on patients with burns or wounds that need to be closed. The amount covered by this code is the first 100 square centimeters or less of an adult, or 1 percent of the body surface area of an infant or child.

5. When to use CPT code 15130

CPT code 15130 should be used when a dermal autograft is being performed on the trunk, arms, or legs, and the area being covered is the first 100 square centimeters or less of an adult, or 1 percent of the body surface area of an infant or child. If the area being covered exceeds these limits, an add-on code, such as CPT code 15131, should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 15130, the following documentation is required:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for a dermal autograft
• Specific details of the procedure, including the size of the dermal tissue harvested and transplanted
• Date of the procedure
• Location of the donor and recipient sites
• Any additional procedures performed in conjunction with the dermal autograft
• Signature of the healthcare professional performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 15130, ensure that the procedure meets the criteria outlined in the official description. If the area being covered exceeds the first 100 square centimeters or 1 percent of body surface area, report add-on code 15131 in addition to 15130. It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by the payer to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement.

8. Historical information

CPT code 15130 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2006. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 15130

There are several similar codes to CPT code 15130 that cover different aspects of autografts and tissue cultured autografts. These include:

• CPT 15040: Split-thickness autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children
• CPT 15100: Split-thickness autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children
• CPT 15200: Full-thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet; 20 sq cm or less
• CPT 15220: Full-thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet; each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• CPT 15240: Full-thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet; first 100 sq cm or 1% of body area of infants and children

9. Examples

1. A patient with a burn on their leg requires a dermal autograft to close the wound. The procedure covers the first 80 square centimeters of the leg.
2. An infant with a large wound on their arm requires a dermal autograft to promote healing. The procedure covers 1 percent of the infant’s body surface area on the arm.
3. A child with a deep cut on their trunk needs a dermal autograft to close the wound. The procedure covers the first 100 square centimeters of the trunk.
4. An adult with a burn on their leg requires a dermal autograft to promote healing. The procedure covers the first 90 square centimeters of the leg.
5. A patient with a wound on their arm needs a dermal autograft to close the wound. The procedure covers the first 100 square centimeters of the arm.
6. An infant with a burn on their trunk requires a dermal autograft to promote healing. The procedure covers 1 percent of the infant’s body surface area on the trunk.