CPT 14061Surgery

Tis trnfr e/n/e/l10.1-30sqcm

CPT code 14061 covers adjacent tissue transfer (moving nearby skin to repair a defect) on the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips when the area is 10.1 to 30 square centimeters. This involves surgical rearrangement of healthy tissue from an adjacent area to reconstruct defects from trauma, cancer removal, or other causes.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$975.89

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

11.48

PE RVU (NF)

17.27

MP RVU

1.42

Total RVU

30.17

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

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Accurately measure and document the final defect size in square centimeters after tumor excision or debridement, before tissue rearrangement begins. The defect size, not the flap size, determines code selection.
Impact: Incorrect measurement can lead to downcoding from 14061 ($975.89) to 14060 ($697.12), resulting in a $278.77 loss per procedure
Bill tissue transfer codes (14060-14061) separately from intermediate or complex repair codes (12051-13160) when performed at the same anatomic site. Tissue transfers are not bundled with closure codes when medically necessary.
Impact: Failure to recognize this can result in leaving $500-900 on the table by billing only a repair code instead of the appropriate tissue transfer
Differentiate between adjacent tissue transfer (14061) and skin grafts (15120-15261). Tissue transfers involve rearranging local tissue without creating a separate donor site, while grafts require harvest from a distant site.
Impact: Misclassification can trigger audits and medical necessity reviews; proper coding ensures the $975.89 reimbursement versus potentially lower graft reimbursement
When performing tissue transfer following Mohs surgery performed by another physician, append modifier 58 or ensure separate documentation. Do not use modifier 54 (surgical care only) as this is a separate procedure, not a staged global surgery.
Impact: Correct modifier use prevents denials for procedures during the Mohs global period; ensures full $975.89 payment rather than denial or 70% reduction
Document the specific flap technique (rotation, advancement, transposition, interpolation) and the anatomic subsite (medial canthus, nasal tip, helical rim, upper lid) to support medical necessity and complexity.
Impact: Detailed documentation reduces audit risk and supports modifier 22 claims for unusually complex cases, potentially increasing reimbursement by $195-488

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CPT 14060 and 14061?

The difference is defect size: CPT 14060 covers adjacent tissue transfers of 10.0 square centimeters or less on the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips, while CPT 14061 covers defects from 10.1 to 30.0 square centimeters on the same anatomic areas. The 2025 Medicare payment reflects this complexity difference: $697.12 for 14060 versus $975.89 for 14061 in non-facility settings.

How do you calculate square centimeters for CPT 14061?

Measure the defect at its greatest length and width after excision or debridement but before any tissue manipulation. Multiply length × width to get square centimeters. For irregular shapes, measure the longest dimension in each direction. Document these measurements explicitly in the operative note, as this determines whether 14060 (≤10 sq cm) or 14061 (10.1-30 sq cm) is appropriate.

Can CPT 14061 be billed with Mohs surgery on the same day?

Yes, CPT 14061 can be billed separately from Mohs surgery (17311-17315) when performed on the same day. The Mohs codes cover only the tumor removal and margin assessment, while 14061 represents the separate reconstructive work. Use modifier 58 if the reconstruction was planned, or bill without a modifier as reconstruction is considered a separate procedure. Ensure both procedures are documented in separate operative notes or clearly delineated sections.

What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 14061 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average reimbursement for CPT 14061 is $975.89 in non-facility settings (office-based surgery) and $799.61 in facility settings (hospital outpatient or ASC). These rates are based on total RVUs of 30.17 (work: 11.48, non-facility PE: 17.27, facility PE: 11.82, MP: 1.42) multiplied by the 2025 conversion factor of 32.3465. Actual payment may vary by geographic locality.

Does CPT 14061 include the initial excision or debridement?

No, CPT 14061 covers only the adjacent tissue transfer reconstruction, not the creation of the defect. The initial excision, Mohs surgery, or debridement should be coded separately with the appropriate CPT code (11640-11646 for excision, 17311-17315 for Mohs, 11042-11047 for debridement). The tissue transfer code captures the reconstructive work performed after the defect has been created.

What anatomic sites are included in CPT 14061?

CPT 14061 is specific to four facial areas: eyelids (upper and lower, including canthi), nose (all subsites including tip, ala, dorsum, sidewall), ears (helix, antihelix, lobule, conchal bowl), and lips (upper, lower, commissure). Tissue transfers on other facial areas like cheek, forehead, or chin are coded with different CPT codes (14040-14041 for forehead/cheeks/chin/mouth/neck/axillae/genitalia/hands/feet).

What modifiers are most commonly used with CPT 14061?

The most common modifiers for CPT 14061 are: modifier 50 for bilateral procedures on paired structures (both ears or eyelids); modifier 51 for multiple procedures at different sites; modifier 58 for staged reconstructions during the global period; modifier LT/RT to indicate laterality (left/right); and modifier 22 for unusually complex cases requiring significantly greater work. Modifier 78 is used when returning to the OR for complications within the global period.