Physicians as Assistants at Surgery: 2016 Update Participating Organizations:

Transcription

1 Physicians as Assistants at Surgery: 2016 Update Participating Organizations: American College of Surgeons American Academy of Ophthalmology American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery American Association of Neurological Surgeons American Pediatric Surgical Association American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons American Society of Plastic Surgeons American Society of Transplant Surgeons American Urological Association Congress of Neurological Surgeons Society for Surgical Oncology Society for Vascular Surgery Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

2 Physicians as Assistants at Surgery: 2016 Update INTRODUCTION This is the seventh edition of Physicians as Assistants at Surgery, a study first undertaken in 1994 by the American College of Surgeons and other surgical specialty organizations. The study reviews all procedures listed in the Surgery section of the 2016 American Medical Association s Current Procedural Terminology ( TM). Each organization was asked to review new codes since 2013 that are applicable to their specialty and determine whether the operation requires the use of a physician as an assistant at surgery: (1) almost always; (2) almost never; or (3) some of the time. The results of this study are presented in the accompanying report, which is in a table format. This table presents information about the need for a physician as an assistant at surgery. Also, please note that an indication that a physician would almost never be needed to assist at surgery for some procedures does NOT imply that a physician is never needed. The decision to request that a physician assist at surgery remains the responsibility of the primary surgeon and, when necessary, should be a payable service. It should be noted that unlisted procedure codes are not included in this table because by nature they are undefined and vary on a case-by-case basis. The organizations participating in this effort understand that local resources and patient characteristics can have an impact on the type of professional who may be asked to serve as an assistant at surgery. In fact, the College often receives requests for an assessment of how and when non-physicians may serve in this role and for what procedures. This is an enormously complex issue that cannot be addressed by a single table of the sort included in this report. However, the inclusion of any particular service on this table should not be interpreted to mean that a non-physician can never serve as an assistant at surgery in some circumstances, nor should the omission of a service on this list be interpreted to mean that assistance from non-physicians is not needed. In an effort to address the issue of non-physician assistants, at least in part, an excerpt from the American College of Surgeons Statements on Principles has been included in this document. The excerpt Surgical Assistants describes the College s view on the qualifications of those who serve as first assistants in the operating room. Questions concerning this study or requests for additional copies should be directed to the College as follows: American College of Surgeons 633 N. Saint Clair St. Chicago, IL Tel 312/ Fax 312/ ahp@facs.org

3 American College of Surgeons Statements on Principles II. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE RESPONSIBLE SURGEON G. Surgical Assistant The first assistant during a surgical operation should be a trained individual who is able to participate in and actively assist the surgeon in completing the operation safely and expeditiously by helping to provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions. The qualifications of the person in this role may vary with the nature of the operation, the surgical specialty, and the type of hospital or ambulatory surgical facility. The American College of Surgeons supports the concept that, ideally, the first assistant at the operating table should be a qualified surgeon or a resident in an approved surgical education program. Residents at appropriate levels of training should be provided with opportunities to assist and participate in operations. If such assistants are not available, other physicians who are experienced in assisting may participate. It may be necessary to utilize nonphysicians as first assistants. Surgeon's Assistants (SAs) or physician's assistants (PAs) with additional surgical training should meet national standards and be credentialed by the appropriate local authority. These individuals are not authorized to operate independently. Formal application for appointment to a hospital as a PA or SA should include: Qualifications and Credentials of Assistants Specification of which surgeon the applicant will assist and what duties will be performed. Indication of which surgeon will be responsible for the supervision and performance of the SA or PA. The application should be reviewed and approved by the hospital's board. Registered nurses with specialized training may also function as first assistants. If such a situation should occur, the size of the operating room team should not be reduced; the nurse assistant should not simultaneously function as the scrub nurse and instrument nurse when serving as the first assistant. Nurse assistant practice privileges should be granted based upon the hospital board's review and approval of credentials. Registered nurses who act as first assistants must not have responsibility beyond the level defined in their state nursing practice act. Surgeons are encouraged to participate in the training of allied health personnel. Such individuals perform their duties under the supervision of the surgeon.

4 10021 Fine needle aspiration; without imaging guidance Fine needle aspiration; with imaging guidance Image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter (eg, abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, cyst), soft tissue (eg, extremity, abdominal wall, neck), percutaneous Placement of soft tissue localization device(s) (eg, clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, radioactive seeds), percutaneous, including imaging guidance; first lesion Placement of soft tissue localization device(s) (eg, clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, radioactive seeds), percutaneous, including imaging guidance; each additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Acne surgery (eg, marsupialization, opening or removal of multiple milia, comedones, cysts, pustules) Incision and drainage of abscess (eg, carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); simple or single Incision and drainage of abscess (eg, carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); complicated or multiple Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; complicated Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; complicated Incision and drainage of hematoma, seroma or fluid collection Puncture aspiration of abscess, hematoma, bulla, or cyst Incision and drainage, complex, postoperative wound infection Debridement of extensive eczematous or infected skin; up to 10% of body surface Debridement of extensive eczematous or infected skin; each additional 10% of the body surface, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; external genitalia and perineum Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; abdominal wall, with or without fascial closure Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; external genitalia, perineum and abdominal wall, with or without fascial closure Removal of prosthetic material or mesh, abdominal wall for infection (eg, for chronic or recurrent mesh infection or necrotizing soft tissue infection) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin and subcutaneous tissues Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, and muscle Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, muscle, and bone Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

5 11043 Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (includes epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less Debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (includes epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); single lesion Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); 2 to 4 lesions Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); more than 4 lesions Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (including simple closure), unless otherwise listed; single lesion Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (including simple closure), unless otherwise listed; each separate/additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area; up to and including 15 lesions Removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area; each additional 10 lesions, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter over 2.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter over 2.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

6 11312 Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter over 2.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter over 4.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter over 4.0 cm Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter over 4.0 cm Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, axillary; with simple or intermediate repair 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

7 11451 Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, axillary; with complex repair Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, inguinal; with simple or intermediate repair Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, inguinal; with complex repair Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, perianal, perineal, or umbilical; with simple or intermediate repair Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, perianal, perineal, or umbilical; with complex repair Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; excised diameter over 4.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter over 4.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter over 4.0 cm Trimming of nondystrophic nails, any number Debridement of nail(s) by any method(s); 1 to Debridement of nail(s) by any method(s); 6 or more 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

8 11730 Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; single Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; each additional nail plate (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Evacuation of subungual hematoma Excision of nail and nail matrix, partial or complete (eg, ingrown or deformed nail), for permanent removal; Excision of nail and nail matrix, partial or complete (eg, ingrown or deformed nail), for permanent removal; with amputation of tuft of distal phalanx Biopsy of nail unit (eg, plate, bed, matrix, hyponychium, proximal and lateral nail folds) (separate procedure) Repair of nail bed Reconstruction of nail bed with graft Wedge excision of skin of nail fold (eg, for ingrown toenail) Excision of pilonidal cyst or sinus; simple Excision of pilonidal cyst or sinus; extensive Excision of pilonidal cyst or sinus; complicated Injection, intralesional; up to and including 7 lesions Injection, intralesional; more than 7 lesions Tattooing, intradermal introduction of insoluble opaque pigments to correct color defects of skin, including micropigmentation; 6.0 sq cm or less Tattooing, intradermal introduction of insoluble opaque pigments to correct color defects of skin, including micropigmentation; 6.1 to 20.0 sq cm Tattooing, intradermal introduction of insoluble opaque pigments to correct color defects of skin, including micropigmentation; each additional 20.0 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Subcutaneous injection of filling material (eg, collagen); 1 cc or less Subcutaneous injection of filling material (eg, collagen); 1.1 to 5.0 cc Subcutaneous injection of filling material (eg, collagen); 5.1 to 10.0 cc Subcutaneous injection of filling material (eg, collagen); over 10.0 cc Insertion of tissue expander(s) for other than breast, including subsequent expansion Replacement of tissue expander with permanent prosthesis Removal of tissue expander(s) without insertion of prosthesis Removal, implantable contraceptive capsules Subcutaneous hormone pellet implantation (implantation of estradiol and/or testosterone pellets beneath the skin) Insertion, non-biodegradable drug delivery implant Removal, non-biodegradable drug delivery implant Removal with reinsertion, non-biodegradable drug delivery implant Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 2.5 cm or less Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

9 12005 Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 12.6 cm to 20.0 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); over 30.0 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 2.5 cm or less Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 2.6 cm to 5.0 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 5.1 cm to 7.5 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 12.6 cm to 20.0 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; over 30.0 cm Treatment of superficial wound dehiscence; simple closure Treatment of superficial wound dehiscence; with packing Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 2.5 cm or less Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 12.6 cm to 20.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); over 30.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; 2.5 cm or less Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; 12.6 cm to 20.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; over 30.0 cm 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

10 12051 Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 2.5 cm or less Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 2.6 cm to 5.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 5.1 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 12.6 cm to 20.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; over 30.0 cm Repair, complex, trunk; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm Repair, complex, trunk; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, complex, trunk; each additional 5 cm or less (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Repair, complex, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm Repair, complex, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, complex, scalp, arms, and/or legs; each additional 5 cm or less (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Repair, complex, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm Repair, complex, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, complex, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; each additional 5 cm or less (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Repair, complex, eyelids, nose, ears and/or lips; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm Repair, complex, eyelids, nose, ears and/or lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm Repair, complex, eyelids, nose, ears and/or lips; each additional 5 cm or less (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Secondary closure of surgical wound or dehiscence, extensive or complicated Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, trunk; defect 10 sq cm or less Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, trunk; defect 10.1 sq cm to 30.0 sq cm Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, scalp, arms and/or legs; defect 10 sq cm or less Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, scalp, arms and/or legs; defect 10.1 sq cm to 30.0 sq cm Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; defect 10 sq cm or less Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; defect 10.1 sq cm to 30.0 sq cm Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, eyelids, nose, ears and/or lips; defect 10 sq cm or less 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

11 14061 Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, eyelids, nose, ears and/or lips; defect 10.1 sq cm to 30.0 sq cm Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, any area; defect 30.1 sq cm to 60.0 sq cm Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, any area; each additional 30.0 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Filleted finger or toe flap, including preparation of recipient site 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 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) 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 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 part thereof, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Harvest of skin for tissue cultured skin autograft, 100 sq cm or less Pinch graft, single or multiple, to cover small ulcer, tip of digit, or other minimal open area (except on face), up to defect size 2 cm diameter Split-thickness autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children (except 15050) Split-thickness 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) Epidermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children Epidermal 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) Epidermal 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 Epidermal 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) 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 (except 15050) 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

12 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) Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children 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) Dermal 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 Dermal 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) Tissue cultured skin autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 25 sq cm or less Tissue cultured skin autograft, trunk, arms, legs; additional 1 sq cm to 75 sq cm (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Tissue cultured skin 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) Tissue cultured skin autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; first 25 sq cm or less Tissue cultured skin autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; additional 1 sq cm to 75 sq cm (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 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) Full thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, trunk; 20 sq cm or less Full thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, trunk; each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Full thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 20 sq cm or less Full thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, scalp, arms, and/or legs; each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 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 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) Full thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, nose, ears, eyelids, and/or lips; 20 sq cm or less Full thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, nose, ears, eyelids, and/or lips; each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

13 15271 Application of skin substitute graft to trunk, arms, legs, total wound surface area up to 100 sq cm; first 25 sq cm or less wound surface area Application of skin substitute graft to trunk, arms, legs, total wound surface area up to sq cm; each additional 25 sq cm wound surface area, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Application of skin substitute graft to trunk, arms, legs, total wound surface area greater than or equal to 100 sq cm; first 100 sq cm wound surface area, or 1% of body area of infants and children Application of skin substitute graft to trunk, arms, legs, total wound surface area greater than or equal to 100 sq cm; each additional 100 sq cm wound surface area, or part thereof, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Application of skin substitute graft to face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits, total wound surface area up to 100 sq cm; first 25 sq cm or less wound surface area Application of skin substitute graft to face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits, total wound surface area up to 100 sq cm; each additional 25 sq cm wound surface area, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Application of skin substitute graft to face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits, total wound surface area greater than or equal to 100 sq cm; first 100 sq cm wound surface area, or 1% of body area of infants and children Application of skin substitute graft to face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits, total wound surface area greater than or equal to 100 sq cm; each additional 100 sq cm wound surface area, or part thereof, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Formation of direct or tubed pedicle, with or without transfer; trunk Formation of direct or tubed pedicle, with or without transfer; scalp, arms, or legs Formation of direct or tubed pedicle, with or without transfer; forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands or feet Formation of direct or tubed pedicle, with or without transfer; eyelids, nose, ears, lips, or intraoral Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at trunk Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at scalp, arms, or legs Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, or feet Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at eyelids, nose, ears, or lips Transfer, intermediate, of any pedicle flap (eg, abdomen to wrist, Walking tube), any location Forehead flap with preservation of vascular pedicle (eg, axial pattern flap, paramedian forehead flap) Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; head and neck (eg, temporalis, masseter muscle, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae) Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunk Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; upper extremity Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; lower extremity 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

14 15740 Flap; island pedicle requiring identification and dissection of an anatomically named axial vessel Flap; neurovascular pedicle Free muscle or myocutaneous flap with microvascular anastomosis,o Free skin flap with microvascular anastomosis,o Free fascial flap with microvascular anastomosis,o Graft; composite (eg, full thickness of external ear or nasal ala), including primary closure, donor area Graft; derma-fat-fascia Punch graft for hair transplant; 1 to 15 punch grafts Punch graft for hair transplant; more than 15 punch grafts Implantation of biologic implant (eg, acellular dermal matrix) for soft tissue reinforcement (ie, breast, trunk) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Dermabrasion; total face (eg, for acne scarring, fine wrinkling, rhytids, general keratosis) Dermabrasion; segmental, face Dermabrasion; regional, other than face Dermabrasion; superficial, any site (eg, tattoo removal) Abrasion; single lesion (eg, keratosis, scar) Abrasion; each additional 4 lesions or less (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Chemical peel, facial; epidermal Chemical peel, facial; dermal Chemical peel, nonfacial; epidermal Chemical peel, nonfacial; dermal Cervicoplasty Blepharoplasty, lower eyelid; Blepharoplasty, lower eyelid; with extensive herniated fat pad Blepharoplasty, upper eyelid; Blepharoplasty, upper eyelid; with excessive skin weighting down lid Rhytidectomy; forehead Rhytidectomy; neck with platysmal tightening (platysmal flap, P-flap) Rhytidectomy; glabellar frown lines Rhytidectomy; cheek, chin, and neck Rhytidectomy; superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); abdomen, infraumbilical panniculectomy Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); thigh Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); leg Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); hip Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); buttock Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); arm 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

15 15837 Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); forearm or hand Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); submental fat pad Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); other area Graft for facial nerve paralysis; free fascia graft (including obtaining fascia) Graft for facial nerve paralysis; free muscle graft (including obtaining graft) Graft for facial nerve paralysis; free muscle flap by microsurgical technique Graft for facial nerve paralysis; regional muscle transfer Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy), abdomen (eg, abdominoplasty) (includes umbilical transposition and fascial plication) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Removal of sutures under anesthesia (other than local), same surgeon Removal of sutures under anesthesia (other than local), other surgeon Dressing change (for other than burns) under anesthesia (other than local) Intravenous injection of agent (eg, fluorescein) to test vascular flow in flap or graft Suction assisted lipectomy; head and neck Suction assisted lipectomy; trunk Suction assisted lipectomy; upper extremity Suction assisted lipectomy; lower extremity Excision, coccygeal pressure ulcer, with coccygectomy; with primary suture Excision, coccygeal pressure ulcer, with coccygectomy; with flap closure Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, with primary suture; Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, with primary suture; with ostectomy Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, with skin flap closure; Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, with skin flap closure; with ostectomy Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, in preparation for muscle or myocutaneous flap or skin graft closure; Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, in preparation for muscle or myocutaneous flap or skin graft closure; with ostectomy Excision, ischial pressure ulcer, with primary suture; Excision, ischial pressure ulcer, with primary suture; with ostectomy (ischiectomy) Excision, ischial pressure ulcer, with skin flap closure; Excision, ischial pressure ulcer, with skin flap closure; with ostectomy Excision, ischial pressure ulcer, with ostectomy, in preparation for muscle or myocutaneous flap or skin graft closure Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, with primary suture; Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, with primary suture; with ostectomy Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, with skin flap closure; Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, with skin flap closure; with ostectomy Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, in preparation for muscle or myocutaneous flap or skin graft closure; Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, in preparation for muscle or myocutaneous flap or skin graft closure; with ostectomy 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

16 16000 Initial treatment, first degree burn, when no more than local treatment is required Dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; small (less than 5% total body surface area) Dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; medium (eg, whole face or whole extremity, or 5% to 10% total body surface area) Dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; large (eg, more than 1 extremity, or greater than 10% total body surface area) Escharotomy; initial incision Escharotomy; each additional incision (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); first lesion Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); second through 14 lesions, each (List separately in addition to code for first lesion) Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses), 15 or more lesions Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); less than 10 sq cm Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); 10.0 to 50.0 sq cm Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); over 50.0 sq cm Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; 15 or more lesions Chemical cauterization of granulation tissue (proud flesh, sinus or fistula) Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter over 4.0 cm 1 This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April

17 Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter over 4.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter over 4.0 cm Mohs micrographic technique, including removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation including routine stain(s) (eg, hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue), head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels; first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks Mohs micrographic technique, including removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation including routine stain(s) (eg, hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue), head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels; each additional stage after the first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) This table presents information about the need for a physician as a first assistant at surgery (indicated with an ""). Please note surgeons and, when necessary, should be a payable service. codes and descriptors only are 2015 American Medical April