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The procedure described by CPT® Code 15836 involves the excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue from the arm, which may include a lipectomy. This surgical intervention is typically indicated for patients who have experienced significant weight loss, resulting in an overabundance of skin and fat that can lead to various dermatological issues or hinder mobility. The term 'panniculectomy' refers to the surgical removal of this excess tissue, which can create discomfort and functional limitations. During the procedure, an incision is made extending from below the sternum to the pubic bone, and an additional incision is made across the pubic area to facilitate the careful removal of the excess fat and skin. The technique may involve the use of a cannula, a specialized hollow needle, to dislodge and suction out fat from beneath the skin. After the removal of the excess tissue, the remaining skin is sutured back together, and a drain may be placed to assist in the healing process. This procedure is part of a broader category of surgeries aimed at addressing similar issues in other body areas, with specific codes designated for each region, ensuring accurate medical coding and billing for these interventions.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 15836 is indicated for patients presenting with excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue in the arm, often resulting from significant weight loss or other conditions that lead to skin laxity. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for excising excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue from the arm involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
Post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery following the excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Instructions for care at home may include keeping the surgical site clean and dry, managing pain with prescribed medications, and following up with the healthcare provider for suture removal and assessment of healing. Patients may also be advised on activity restrictions to avoid strain on the surgical site during the initial recovery phase. The duration of recovery can vary based on individual factors, but most patients can expect a gradual return to normal activities as healing progresses.
| Short Descr | EXC EXCESSIVE SKIN ARM | Medium Descr | EXCISION EXCESSIVE SKIN & SUBQ TISSUE ARM | Long Descr | Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); arm | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 175 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 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. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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