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The procedure described by CPT® Code 15847 involves the excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue from the abdomen, commonly referred to as an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. This surgical intervention is designed to remove excess skin and fat, resulting in a flatter and firmer abdominal profile. The procedure includes specific components such as umbilical transposition, which involves repositioning the navel, and fascial plication, a technique used to tighten the abdominal muscles. The surgery typically requires a long incision made across the lower abdomen, extending from hip to hip, allowing the surgeon to access the underlying tissues effectively. The process involves careful dissection of the skin from the abdominal wall, lifting a large skin flap to reveal the abdominal muscles beneath. These muscles are then tightened and secured in a closer position to enhance the waistline's appearance. Additionally, any excess fat may be removed during the procedure to achieve the desired contour. After the necessary adjustments, the skin flap is repositioned, and excess skin is excised. An opening is created for the navel, which is then sutured into its new location. Finally, the incisions are closed, and a drain may be placed to facilitate fluid drainage from the surgical site, ensuring proper healing and recovery.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 15847 is indicated for patients who have excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue in the abdominal area, often due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for CPT® Code 15847 involves several critical steps to achieve the desired outcome. Each step is essential for ensuring the effectiveness and safety of the surgery:
After the completion of the procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve some discomfort and swelling in the abdominal area. Post-operative care typically includes instructions for wound care, pain management, and activity restrictions to promote healing. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for a specified period. Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the healing process and remove any sutures if necessary. The placement of a drain may require additional care to ensure proper drainage and prevent complications. Overall, the recovery process is crucial for achieving the best possible results from the abdominoplasty.
| Short Descr | EXC SKIN ABD ADD-ON | Medium Descr | EXCISION EXCESSIVE SKIN & SUBQ TISSUE ABDOMEN | Long Descr | 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) | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies | 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 175 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 15830 | MPFS Status: Restricted APC J1 ASC A2 Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue (includes lipectomy); abdomen, infraumbilical panniculectomy |
| GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | 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. | 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.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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