Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Dermal autografts are specialized surgical procedures that involve the transplantation of skin tissue, specifically the dermis, from one area of the body to another. This technique is commonly utilized in the treatment of extensive skin loss due to trauma, burns, or surgical excisions. The donor sites for these grafts typically include areas such as the thigh, buttocks, abdominal wall, or scalp, where sufficient skin can be harvested without compromising the function or appearance of the donor area. During the procedure, local anesthetic and epinephrine are administered to the subcutaneous tissue at the donor site to minimize pain and control bleeding. The use of a dermatome, a surgical instrument designed for cutting skin, allows for precise harvesting of the dermal layer. The depth of the blade is carefully adjusted to ensure that only the dermis is collected, while a split-thickness skin graft is raised but not fully harvested from the dermal bed. This technique ensures that the donor site can heal effectively while providing the necessary tissue for the recipient site. Once the dermal graft is prepared, it is meticulously placed over the wound bed of the recipient site and secured using sutures, staples, or fibrin sealant. The split-thickness graft that was raised but not harvested is then applied to the donor site to promote healing. The coding for this procedure is specific, with CPT® Code 15130 used for the first 100 square centimeters or less in adults, or for 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, and CPT® Code 15131 designated for each additional 100 square centimeters in adults or each additional 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, or part thereof.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Dermal autografts are indicated for various conditions that result in significant skin loss or damage. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for performing a dermal autograft involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting and healing. Each step is essential for the overall outcome of the procedure:
Post-procedure care is essential for ensuring proper healing of both the recipient and donor sites. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of infection or complications. It is important to keep the grafted area clean and dry, and patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities that could disrupt the graft. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and to remove any sutures or staples as needed. The expected recovery time can vary based on the size of the graft and the individual patient's healing response. Proper care and monitoring are crucial to achieving optimal outcomes from the dermal autograft procedure.
| Short Descr | DRM AGRFT T/A/L EA ADDL | Medium Descr | DERMAL AGRFT T/A/L EA ADD 100 SQCM/1% INFT/CHLD | Long Descr | Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; 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) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 172 - Skin graft |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 15130 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children |
| 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 62 | Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate. | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.