Coding a Composite Graft with Harvested Cartilage

Question:

I performed a composite graft (CPT 15760), and harvested cartilage from the ear.  Can I report for the harvesting?  If yes, what code do I use?

Answer:

You can report both 15760 (Graft; composite (eg, full thickness of external ear or nasal ala), including primary closure, donor area) and CPT 15040 (Harvest of skin for tissue cultured skin autograft, 100 sq cm or less) for harvesting the graft.  These two codes are not bundled under the National Correct Coding Initiative and can be reported together.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 06/14/18.