How To Use CPT Code 15157

CPT code 15157 describes the use of tissue cultured skin autograft for various areas of the body, such as the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and multiple digits. 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 15157?

CPT code 15157 is used to describe the placement of tissue cultured skin autograft for specific areas of the body. This code is used when an additional 100 square centimeters or 1% of body area of infants and children needs to be covered with the autograft, in addition to the primary procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 15157 is: ‘Tissue cultured skin autograft, 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, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)’

3. Procedure

The procedure for CPT code 15157 involves the placement of tissue cultured skin autograft on specific areas of the body. After the patient is prepped and anesthetized, the provider places the autograft over the burn or wound on the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits. The autograft may be secured using techniques such as staples or sutures. Harvesting of any autologous skin grafts used during the procedure is also included.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT code 15157 is used for patients who require tissue cultured skin autograft for areas such as the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and multiple digits. The additional 100 square centimeters or 1% of body area of infants and children is added to the primary procedure. This code should be used when the autograft is necessary to cover a larger area of the body.

5. When to use CPT code 15157

CPT code 15157 should be used when an additional 100 square centimeters or 1% of body area of infants and children needs to be covered with tissue cultured skin autograft in addition to the primary procedure. This code should not be used as a standalone code and should always be reported in conjunction with the primary procedure code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 15157, the provider must document the following information:

• Specific areas of the body where the tissue cultured skin autograft was placed
• The size of the autograft used (additional 100 square centimeters or 1% of body area of infants and children)
• Date of the procedure
• Details of the primary procedure
• Techniques used to secure the autograft
• Harvesting of any autologous skin grafts used during the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 15157, ensure that the procedure involves the placement of tissue cultured skin autograft for the specified areas of the body. This code should be listed separately in addition to the primary procedure code. It is important to note that CPT code 15157 is an add-on code and should be reported with the primary procedure code (CPT code 15156) in order to accurately reflect the additional work performed.

8. Historical information

CPT code 15157 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2006. There have been a few historical changes to the code, including updates to the description and the addition of the requirement to list the code separately in addition to the primary procedure code.

9. Similar codes to CPT 15157

There are several similar codes to CPT code 15157 that are used for different procedures. These include:

• CPT code 15156: Tissue cultured skin autograft, 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, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• CPT code 15040: Harvest of autografts for tissue cultured epidermal autografts; first 100 sq cm or less
• CPT code 15200: 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 code 15201: Split-thickness autograft, 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, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• CPT code 15220: 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

9. Examples

1. A patient with extensive burns on their face and hands requires tissue cultured skin autograft. The provider places an additional 150 square centimeters of autograft on the face and hands.
2. A child with a large wound on their scalp needs tissue cultured skin autograft. The provider places an additional 2% of body area autograft on the scalp to cover the wound.
3. An adult patient with burns on their genitalia requires tissue cultured skin autograft. The provider places an additional 100 square centimeters of autograft on the genitalia.
4. A patient with multiple digit injuries needs tissue cultured skin autograft. The provider places an additional 1% of body area autograft on the multiple digits to aid in healing.