Meaning of Tummy Tuck Insurance Codes: 15830 + 15847?

asked 1 year ago by Orfordville in Orfordville, WI
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 1,591 times
Tags: female, insurance

I have just received my approval for a tummy tuck from my insurance. I am having this done because of the overhanging skin left from have 4 children and have also had 4 invasive surgeries, 2 hip to hip and 2 belly button to groin. I now have an ulcer under the "apron" and if I do not use Nystatin continually it does not disappear. Aside from that, it will stink to high heaven, yuck! Code 15830 + 15847 is what I am approved for. Does this include lipo and tightening of the muscles?

7 answers to Meaning of Tummy Tuck Insurance Codes: 15830 + 15847?

Cpt codes for aabdominoplasty

As stated these codes refer to 15830 panniculectomy (removing the skin) which can be functional or cosmetic or to 15847 abdominoplasty which is consdiered cosmetic. White the first code may be covered, I am surprised that the second cosmetic code would be covered.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Coding can be tricky

The first code 15830 refers to removing the excess skin from the lower half of the abdomen, that hangs over and is causing the ulcer that your treating with nystatin ,due to moisture collection. The code 15847 is an add-on code used in conjunction with 15830 to include repositioning the bellybutton and tightening up the muscle layer. Liposuction of the abdominal wall would be part of the covered procedure but liposuction of the back or any other area would not be covered more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Insurance codes

You can see all the other answers there are very specific. I do have a question for you what insurance company do you have, because at least here in the KC area, no insurance will cover the abdominoplasty code.

Victor Manuel Perez, MD
Kansas City Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Codes

It would appear that you have been approved for your Tummy Tuck based on those codes. I would check with your surgeon and make sure what the exact break down will be now. This meaning what your out of pocket costs will be. You will want to know how much liposuction will cost. The muscles should be repaired during the procedure. For most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons this is standard practice unless for some reason the patient requests otherwise. Good Luck!

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

The Meaning of CPT (insurance) codes 15830 and 15847

Regarding: "I have just received my approval for a tummy tuck from my insurance. I am having this done because of the overhanging skin left from have 4 children and have also had 4 invasive surgeries, 2 hip to hip and 2 belly button to groin. I now have an ulcer under the "apron" and if I do not use Nystatin continually it does not disappear. Aside from that, it will stink to high heaven, yuck! Code 15830 + 15847 is what I am approved for. Does this include lipo and... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

The codes are approval for an abdominoplasty and panniculectomy. The muscles will (should) be tightened, but liposuction is a separate procedure and considered cosmetic; therefore, usually not approved.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon