15878 Suction lipectomy upper extremity
Also known as: arm lipo, upper arm liposuction
Suction-assisted lipectomy of the upper extremities including arms, forearms, and hands to reduce excess fatty tissue.
In Plain Language
Fat removal from arms; Arm contouring surgery
Clinical Context
Performed for cosmetic improvement of upper arm fullness or in post-bariatric patients with significant arm redundancy.
RVU Information
CPT 15878 does not have a physician work RVU assigned by CMS. Reimbursement for this code is determined by payer-specific fee schedules.
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
This code has a work RVU of 0.00, meaning it does not have a physician work component assigned by CMS. In the Surgery category, 3% of codes share this characteristic.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 15878?
CPT 15878 (Suction lipectomy upper extremity) is a Surgery code. Suction-assisted lipectomy of the upper extremities including arms, forearms, and hands to reduce excess fatty tissue.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 15878?
The work RVU for CPT 15878 is 0.00. This code is primarily used by Plastic Surgery, Body Contouring.
When is CPT 15878 used?
Performed for cosmetic improvement of upper arm fullness or in post-bariatric patients with significant arm redundancy.
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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.