CPT 15771Surgery

Grfg autol fat lipo 50 cc/<

CPT 15771 covers autologous fat grafting procedures where 50 cubic centimeters (cc) or less of the patient's own fat is harvested via liposuction and injected into another area of the body for volume restoration or contouring.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$600.03

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

6.73

PE RVU (NF)

10.57

MP RVU

1.25

Total RVU

18.55

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

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Accurately measure and document total volume of fat harvested and injected; volumes exceeding 50cc require CPT 15772 or higher codes
Impact: Coding creep to higher volume codes without documentation can trigger $300-500 overpayment recovery per claim during audits
Bill facility versus non-facility settings correctly; same code but different rates ($600.03 non-facility vs $504.93 facility)
Impact: Incorrect place of service coding results in $95.10 differential and automatic claim rejections
Do not separately bill liposuction harvest codes (15876-15879) when performed solely for fat grafting; harvest is included in 15771
Impact: Unbundling harvest from grafting triggers NCCI edits and 100% denial of the liposuction code
When fat grafting is performed with other reconstructive procedures, append modifier 51 to 15771 if it's the secondary procedure to avoid payment delays
Impact: Proper modifier sequencing ensures correct multiple procedure reduction and prevents 50% underpayment on primary procedure
For breast reconstruction cases, verify if fat grafting qualifies under Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act coverage to prevent patient balance billing issues
Impact: WHCRA-covered procedures must be paid without additional patient cost-sharing; improper billing can result in compliance violations
Document medical necessity clearly, especially for cosmetic versus reconstructive indications; link to trauma, cancer, congenital defects, or disease-related volume loss
Impact: Cosmetic indications result in 100% patient responsibility; reconstructive coding with proper diagnosis can yield $600+ in covered benefits

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT 15771 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average reimbursement is $600.03 for non-facility settings and $504.93 for facility settings. Actual payment may vary by locality based on geographic practice cost indices (GPCI) applied to the base rates.

How many RVUs is CPT code 15771 worth?

CPT 15771 has a total of 18.55 RVUs, consisting of 6.73 work RVUs, 10.57 non-facility practice expense RVUs (7.63 facility), and 1.25 malpractice RVUs based on the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Can I bill liposuction and fat grafting separately?

No. When liposuction is performed solely to harvest fat for grafting (CPT 15771), the harvest is included in the fat grafting code. Billing separate liposuction codes (15876-15879) violates NCCI bundling edits and will result in denial. Only bill liposuction separately if it serves an independent therapeutic purpose beyond fat harvest.

What is the difference between CPT 15771 and 15772?

The difference is volume: CPT 15771 covers autologous fat grafting of 50cc or less, while CPT 15772 covers 51cc to 100cc. Accurate measurement and documentation of total fat volume harvested and processed is essential for selecting the correct code, as this directly impacts reimbursement.

Is fat grafting covered by Medicare and insurance?

Coverage depends on medical necessity. Fat grafting for reconstructive purposes (post-cancer, trauma, congenital defects, disease-related volume loss) is typically covered. Purely cosmetic fat grafting for aesthetic enhancement is generally not covered and is patient responsibility. Documentation linking the procedure to a reconstructive indication is critical.

What modifiers should I use with CPT 15771?

Common modifiers include: 50 (bilateral procedure), 51 (multiple procedures), 59 (distinct procedural service), 22 (increased procedural services), and RT/LT (right/left side). The appropriate modifier depends on the specific clinical scenario, with modifier 51 reducing payment by 50% when 15771 is the secondary procedure.

What documentation is required to bill CPT 15771?

Required documentation includes: harvest site and method, exact volume harvested in cc (≤50cc), fat processing technique, recipient site anatomical locations, volume injected per site, medical necessity/diagnosis, anesthesia type, and procedure time. High-quality documentation is essential due to elevated audit risk for fat grafting procedures.