Can I Get Paid For…Removal of Sutures or Staples

In 2023, the AMA developed two new codes for removal of sutures or staples not requiring anesthesia. In years prior, we typically billed only an E/M service. These two new codes are add-on codes to E/M services. However, these codes have zero work RVUs assigned to them and have a very low payment.

# + 15853 Removal of sutures or staples not requiring anesthesia (List separately in addition to E/M code)
# + 15854 Removal of sutures andstaples not requiring anesthesia (List separately in addition to E/M code)

These are add-on codes to office visits.

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Last revised April 23, 2026 - CodingIntel Editor
Tags: minor procedures

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