Billing code
R072A — Rotation, transposition or Z-plasty flap — defect under 2 cm — other areas
Small rotation flap, body
Bill R072 for a rotation, transposition or Z-plasty flap closing a defect under 2 cm average diameter outside the face, neck and scalp.
Watch for: When a lesion excision is closed with this flap, claim the flap code instead of the excision code.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $133.40 | $0.00 | $77.46 | $111.72 | $111.72 |
- Code
- R072A
- Description
- Rotation, transposition or Z-plasty flap — defect under 2 cm — other areas
- FHO+ basket
- Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Termination date
- No end date
Explanation
Updated October 26, 2026
Rotation, transposition or Z-plasty flap for a defect under 2 cm average diameter on the body outside the face, neck and scalp.
What it covers
Rotations, transpositions and Z-plasties include undermining, depending on site and size (M17).
Defect less than 2 cm average diameter: R045 face, neck or scalp; R072 other areas. Larger defects are R046/R075 (2.1–5 cm), R047/R073 (5.1–10 cm) and R076/R074 (over 10 cm) (M17, M18).
Billing rules
- When a benign, pre-malignant or malignant lesion excision is closed this way, claim this flap code instead of the excision code (M6, M17).
- Add E540 (+25%) once per lesion when the excision is done in hospital for tumour-free margins with frozen section, to the first flap or graft (M17).
- Procedures other than the skin flap, such as tendon grafts, are payable in addition (M17).
- The # prefix means the fee does not include premises, equipment, supplies and personnel at the place where the procedure itself is done (SP1).
- Assistant units are listed: a surgical assistant claims with suffix B (SP5 §21, GP85).
- Age premiums apply to surgical procedures for children: +30% under 30 days down to +10% for ages 5 to 15 (GP64).
Often billed with
- E540 frozen-section margin control in hospital (M17).
- R081 Mohs surgery when closure is more complex than an advancement flap (M8).
Related codes: R045, R075, R073, R002, R094, R081
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Integumentary System Surgical Procedures, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, page M17.
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