CPT 14000Surgery

Tis trnfr trunk 10 sq cm/<

CPT 14000 covers a surgical procedure where a surgeon moves nearby healthy skin to cover a wound or defect on the trunk (chest, back, or abdomen) when the area being covered is 10 square centimeters or smaller. This is more complex than simple stitches and involves rearranging skin flaps to ensure proper healing and cosmetic results.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$624.29

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

6.37

PE RVU (NF)

11.78

MP RVU

1.15

Total RVU

19.3

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Precisely measure and document the primary defect size (not the donor site) in square centimeters in the operative report, using length x width calculation
Impact: Prevents downcoding or denials; defect size documentation errors account for 35% of audits resulting in $624.29 recoupment per claim
Do not separately bill intermediate or complex closure codes (12031-13160) when performing adjacent tissue transfer, as these are bundled services
Impact: Avoids unbundling denials and potential fraud allegations; prevents $150-$400 in automatic claim rejections and audit flags
Bill excision code separately from 14000 when excision and reconstruction are performed, using modifier 59 on the tissue transfer when necessary to break NCCI edits
Impact: Captures full reimbursement for both services; typical excision adds $200-$500 to total claim value depending on lesion size and pathology
Verify medical necessity documentation clearly explains why simpler closure methods were inadequate, emphasizing tension, anatomic distortion, or functional impairment
Impact: Reduces denial rate from 28% to under 8% according to specialty society data; preserves $624.29 per claim on contested cases
When performing multiple tissue transfers, ensure each defect is measured separately and code selection reflects the largest defect size per anatomic grouping
Impact: Proper coding of multiple procedures with modifier 51 yields $936 total payment versus $624.29 if incorrectly billed as single procedure
Confirm place of service matches actual surgical location; facility versus non-facility status creates $127.45 payment difference

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 14000 in 2025?

Medicare pays $624.29 for CPT 14000 in non-facility settings and $496.84 in facility settings based on the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule national average rates. Actual payment varies by geographic locality and MAC jurisdiction.

Can I bill CPT 14000 with an excision code on the same day?

Yes, CPT 14000 can be billed separately from excision codes (11400-11646) when both procedures are performed during the same session. You may need to append modifier 59 to the tissue transfer code to break NCCI edits, and documentation must clearly show the tissue transfer was distinct from and medically necessary following the excision.

How do I measure the defect size for CPT 14000?

Measure the primary defect (the area being covered) in its greatest length and width in centimeters, then multiply to calculate square centimeters. For CPT 14000, this must be 10.0 sq cm or less. Do not include secondary defects created by the tissue rearrangement in this measurement. Document both dimensions explicitly in the operative report.

What is the difference between CPT 14000 and complex repair codes?

CPT 14000 involves creating and moving tissue flaps from adjacent areas with extensive undermining and rearrangement, while complex repair (13100-13160) involves layered closure of wounds without tissue transfer. Adjacent tissue transfer is more complex and cannot be billed together with repair codes for the same defect. CPT 14000 reimburses significantly higher ($624.29 vs $200-$400 for complex repairs).

What anatomic areas are covered by CPT 14000?

CPT 14000 specifically covers adjacent tissue transfer on the trunk, which includes the chest (anterior and lateral), back, abdomen, pelvis, and hip areas. Other anatomic sites have different CPT codes: scalp/neck/hands/feet use 14020-14021, forehead/cheeks/chin use 14040-14041, and other areas use codes from the 14060-14350 range.

How many RVUs is CPT code 14000 worth?

CPT 14000 has a total of 19.3 RVUs in 2025, consisting of 6.37 work RVUs, 11.78 non-facility practice expense RVUs (7.84 facility PE RVUs), and 1.15 malpractice RVUs. This relatively high RVU value reflects the technical complexity and time required for the procedure.

What are common denial reasons for CPT 14000?

The most common denials include: insufficient medical necessity documentation (payer claims simpler closure would suffice), defect size measurement inconsistencies or exceeding 10 sq cm threshold, improper bundling with excision or repair codes without appropriate modifiers, and lack of photographic or diagrammatic evidence supporting the complexity of reconstruction required.