15852 Dressing change not for burn
Also known as: dressing change, wound dressing
Dressing change for non-burn wounds performed as a separately billable procedure, typically for complex or infected wounds requiring frequent management.
In Plain Language
Wound bandage change; Wound care management
Clinical Context
Billed separately when wound dressing changes are provided in an operative or hospital setting, particularly for complex wounds, infection management, or post-operative monitoring.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.84 |
| Total RVU | 0.84 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.84, this code ranks in the 3rd percentile among Surgery codes — 9.5x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 15852?
CPT 15852 (Dressing change not for burn) is a Surgery code. Dressing change for non-burn wounds performed as a separately billable procedure, typically for complex or infected wounds requiring frequent management.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 15852?
The work RVU for CPT 15852 is 0.84. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Wound Care.
When is CPT 15852 used?
Billed separately when wound dressing changes are provided in an operative or hospital setting, particularly for complex wounds, infection management, or post-operative monitoring.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.