How To Use CPT Code 11056

CPT 11056 refers to the paring or cutting of 2 to 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions, such as corns or calluses. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, billing guidelines, documentation requirements, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 11056.

1. What is CPT 11056?

CPT 11056 is a medical procedure code used to describe the paring or cutting of 2 to 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions, such as corns or calluses. This code is used by healthcare providers to accurately document and bill for the services provided to patients with these specific conditions.

2. 11056 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 11056 is: “Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); 2 to 4 lesions.”

3. Procedure

The 11056 procedure involves the following steps:

  1. The patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized.
  2. The provider evaluates the size, depth, and location of 2 to 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions.
  3. Using a scalpel, curette, blade, or a spoon-shaped surgical instrument, the provider trims or pares down the lesion.
  4. Antiseptic is applied to the site.
  5. If necessary, the provider removes pressure points by fitting padding on the site.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 11056 services are those who have 2 to 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions, such as corns or calluses, that require paring or cutting. These lesions must be causing discomfort, pain, or functional impairment to the patient, and conservative treatments, such as over-the-counter remedies or footwear modifications, must have been unsuccessful or deemed inappropriate.

5. When to use CPT code 11056

It is appropriate to bill the 11056 CPT code when a healthcare provider performs the paring or cutting of 2 to 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions, such as corns or calluses, on a patient who meets the qualifying circumstances mentioned above.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 11056, the following information needs to be documented:

  • Patient’s medical history and physical examination findings.
  • Diagnosis of 2 to 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions.
  • Conservative treatments attempted or considered, and their outcomes.
  • Details of the procedure, including the number of lesions treated, instruments used, and any complications encountered.
  • Post-procedure care instructions and follow-up plan.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 11056, healthcare providers should be aware of the following guidelines and rules:

  • Use CPT code 11055 for services involving a single lesion.
  • Use CPT code 11057 for services involving more than 4 lesions.
  • Do not use CPT codes 11055, 11056, or 11057 to report the destruction of skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (see CPT codes 17110 and 17111).

8. Historical information

CPT 11056 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1998. The code was changed on January 1, 2008, with the previous descriptor being “Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); two to four lesions.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 11056

Five similar codes to CPT 11056 and how they differentiate are:

  • CPT 11055: This code is used for the paring or cutting of a single benign hyperkeratotic lesion.
  • CPT 11057: This code is used for the paring or cutting of more than 4 benign hyperkeratotic lesions.
  • CPT 17110: This code is used for the destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, up to 14 lesions.
  • CPT 17111: This code is used for the destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, 15 or more lesions.
  • CPT 11200: This code is used for the removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area, up to and including 15 lesions.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 11056 procedures:

  1. A patient with 3 painful corns on their toes undergoes paring using a scalpel.
  2. A patient with 2 large calluses on their heels receives treatment with a curette.
  3. A patient with 4 corns on their feet undergoes paring using a blade.
  4. A patient with 3 calluses on their feet receives treatment with a spoon-shaped surgical instrument.
  5. A patient with 2 corns and 1 callus on their feet undergoes paring using a combination of a scalpel and curette.
  6. A patient with 4 calluses on their hands receives treatment with a blade.
  7. A patient with 3 corns on their fingers undergoes paring using a scalpel.
  8. A patient with 2 calluses on their palms receives treatment with a curette.
  9. A patient with 4 corns on their hands undergoes paring using a blade.
  10. A patient with 3 calluses on their hands receives treatment with a spoon-shaped surgical instrument.

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