Wound Vac with CPT Code 15002

Question:

I was hoping someone could answer a question for me. My Revenue analyst is telling us to bill a 15002, instead of a 11042 for chronic wound care when we are also doing a wound vac. In my opinion 15002 should not be used we are not prepping for tissue transfer.

Answer:

You're absolutely right to question this. CPT 15002 is specifically for "surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds" in preparation for skin grafts or flaps. The key word is "preparation" - it's meant for wounds being readied for tissue transfer procedures.

If you're providing chronic wound care with wound vac (NPWT) therapy but not actively preparing for an immediate skin graft or flap, then 15002 is not appropriate.

CPT 11042 (debridement of subcutaneous tissue) is the correct code when you're performing debridement as part of chronic wound management, including when using negative pressure wound therapy.

Here's the distinction:

• 15002 = Debridement with the specific intent and plan to perform skin grafting/flap reconstruction

• 11042-11047 = Debridement for wound care management, infection control, or promoting healing

*This response is based on the best information available as of 11/06/25.