CPT 15773Surgery

Grfg autol fat lipo 25 cc/<

CPT 15773 covers fat grafting procedures where a surgeon removes fat from one area of the patient's body (usually via liposuction) and injects it into another area to add volume or correct contour defects, when the total amount injected is less than 50 cubic centimeters.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$585.47

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

6.83

PE RVU (NF)

10.12

MP RVU

1.15

Total RVU

18.1

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

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Document exact cubic centimeter volume of fat grafted and specify anatomic injection sites with precision
Impact: Prevents downcoding or denial; volume documentation determines whether 15773 (<50cc) or add-on codes apply, affecting $500+ in potential reimbursement
Bill 15773 separately from the primary reconstructive procedure only when medical necessity for fat grafting is clearly distinct and documented
Impact: Improper bundling results in complete denial of the $585.47; proper separation with modifier 59 when appropriate ensures full payment
Verify that liposuction harvest site and injection site are both documented; 15773 includes the harvest component
Impact: Missing harvest documentation triggers denials; do not separately bill liposuction codes (15876-15879) as they are bundled, avoiding audit risk
For cosmetic fat grafting, clearly establish medical necessity with diagnosis codes indicating reconstructive nature (post-trauma, post-oncologic, congenital defects)
Impact: Cosmetic procedures are patient-pay; medical necessity documentation is the difference between $585.47 Medicare payment and $0 reimbursement
Use facility setting appropriately; verify place of service codes match actual location to receive correct rate
Impact: Incorrect POS coding creates $91.54 payment differential between facility ($493.93) and non-facility ($585.47) rates
When performing bilateral fat grafting, append modifier 50 rather than billing 15773 twice with RT/LT modifiers
Impact: Proper bilateral modifier usage ensures 150% payment versus risk of denial for duplicate billing; worth approximately $292.74 additional reimbursement

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT code 15773 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average reimbursement for CPT 15773 is $585.47 for non-facility settings and $493.93 for facility settings, based on the CMS Physician Fee Schedule with a conversion factor of 32.3465.

Does CPT 15773 include the liposuction to harvest the fat?

Yes, CPT 15773 is a comprehensive code that includes the liposuction harvest of autologous fat, processing of the adipose tissue, and injection into the recipient site. You should not separately bill liposuction codes (15876-15879) when the sole purpose is fat harvest for grafting.

What is the difference between CPT 15773 and 15774?

CPT 15773 covers autologous fat grafting up to 50 cubic centimeters as a standalone procedure, while 15774 is an add-on code used for each additional 50cc or portion thereof beyond the initial volume. You would bill 15773 first, then add 15774 for volumes exceeding 50cc.

Can CPT 15773 be billed for cosmetic fat grafting procedures?

Medicare and most commercial insurers only reimburse 15773 when performed for reconstructive purposes with clear medical necessity, such as post-mastectomy reconstruction, trauma repair, or correction of congenital defects. Purely cosmetic fat grafting for aesthetic enhancement is not covered and must be billed as patient-pay.

How many RVUs is CPT code 15773 worth in 2025?

CPT 15773 has a total of 18.1 RVUs in 2025, consisting of 6.83 work RVUs, 10.12 non-facility practice expense RVUs (7.29 for facility), and 1.15 malpractice RVUs.

What diagnosis codes support medical necessity for CPT 15773?

Appropriate ICD-10 codes include post-mastectomy status (Z90.1-), facial hemiatrophy (Q67.4), lipodystrophy (E88.1), contour deformity following surgery (L90.5), scar conditions (L90.5, L91.0), traumatic defects, and congenital anomalies. Cosmetic diagnosis codes will result in denial.

Can you bill CPT 15773 with breast reconstruction codes?

Yes, 15773 can be billed with breast reconstruction codes when fat grafting serves a distinct purpose beyond the primary reconstruction, such as contour correction or additional volume restoration. Use modifier 59 to indicate the procedures are separate and distinct, and document the medical necessity and separate work clearly to avoid bundling denials.