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Procedure · Updated Aug 1, 2026

Stitches: CPT code and Medicare rate

Simple repair of a small superficial wound — the straightforward stitching of a cut that does not involve deeper layers.

Also called: sutures, wound repair, laceration repair, getting stitched up.

Usually billed as

12001
Office (non-facility)
$113.90
Facility
$44.09

National amounts for the Q3 2026 release (July 1 – September 30, 2026), using geographic index values of 1.000. Your local rate differs—open the code page for the locality breakdown.

Repair codes are chosen by the wound's length, its location, and how many tissue layers need closing. A deep wound under tension needs a layered repair (such as 12032) instead.

Common questions Copy link

Stitches: which code is it?
12001. Simple repair of a small superficial wound — the straightforward stitching of a cut that does not involve deeper layers.
Stitches: how much does Medicare pay?
Nationally, the Q3 2026 Physician Fee Schedule pays $113.90 in an office (non-facility) setting and $44.09 in a facility setting for 12001. Your local amount differs—the national figure applies geographic index values of 1.000, and Medicare then pays 80% of the allowed amount after the deductible is met.
Stitches: what else affects the billing?
Repair codes are chosen by the wound's length, its location, and how many tissue layers need closing. A deep wound under tension needs a layered repair (such as 12032) instead.

Need the rate where you practice?

Every code page carries the full locality breakdown, the RVU and GPCI inputs, and the release that answered.

Open the code page

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This page maps everyday language to the code a claim normally carries. It is general information about how Medicare prices a service, not coding advice for a specific claim—the correct code always depends on what was actually documented and performed.

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