How To Use cpt 11310

cpt 11310 describes the shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions that are 0.5 cm or less in diameter on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 11310.

1. What is cpt 11310?

cpt 11310 is a code used to describe the shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions that are 0.5 cm or less in diameter. This procedure is performed on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes. The provider uses a blade to remove the lesion, usually extending to the middle dermis without disturbing the subcutaneous tissue. Cautery is then used to control bleeding, and no suturing is required. The wound is dressed after the procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 11310 is: ‘Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less.’

3. Procedure

  1. The patient is appropriately prepped, and the area to be treated is anesthetized.
  2. The provider holds a blade horizontal to the skin and moves it across the lesion with a sawing motion.
  3. The shaving usually extends to the middle dermis without disturbing the subcutaneous tissue.
  4. Cautery is used to control bleeding.
  5. No suturing is required.
  6. In some cases, the provider may remove the raised portion of a benign lesion and allow additional lesion tissue to persist in the dermis.
  7. The wound is dressed after the procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 11310 is performed on patients with epidermal or dermal lesions that are 0.5 cm or less in diameter. The procedure is typically done on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes. The lesions may be benign or require treatment. It is important to note that this code specifically refers to shaving, which involves sharp removal without a full-thickness dermal excision.

5. When to use cpt code 11310

cpt 11310 should be used when a provider performs the shaving of an epidermal or dermal lesion that is 0.5 cm or less in diameter on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes. It is important to differentiate between shaving and excision procedures, as excision involves full-thickness removal of a lesion, while shaving is a superficial removal without disturbing the subcutaneous tissue.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 11310, the provider must document the following information:

  • Patient’s diagnosis and the need for the procedure
  • Location and size of the lesion
  • Date of the procedure
  • Details of the procedure, including the use of anesthesia, blade technique, and cautery
  • Any additional treatment or dressing applied
  • Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 11310, ensure that the procedure meets the specific criteria outlined in the code description. It is important to note that cpt 11310 should not be reported with other codes for lesions of different sizes. If multiple lesions are removed during the same session, modifier 59 should be applied to indicate distinct procedural service for the additional lesion(s).

8. Historical information

cpt 11310 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1993. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to cpt 11310

Five similar codes to cpt 11310 include:

  • cpt 11311: Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm
  • cpt 11312: Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm
  • cpt 11313: Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, diameter over 2.0 cm
  • cpt 11314: Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, multiple lesions, same patient, diameter 0.5 cm or less
  • cpt 11315: Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, multiple lesions, same patient, diameter over 0.5 cm

9. Examples

  1. A dermatologist performing the shaving of a small mole on a patient’s face.
  2. A plastic surgeon removing a small epidermal lesion on a patient’s nose.
  3. An otolaryngologist shaving a dermal lesion on a patient’s earlobe.
  4. A maxillofacial surgeon performing the shaving of a mucous membrane lesion on a patient’s lip.
  5. An ophthalmologist removing a small eyelid lesion through shaving.
  6. A dermatologist performing the shaving of a small lesion on a patient’s nose.
  7. A plastic surgeon removing a small epidermal lesion on a patient’s ear.
  8. An otolaryngologist shaving a dermal lesion on a patient’s lip.
  9. A maxillofacial surgeon performing the shaving of a mucous membrane lesion on a patient’s eyelid.
  10. An ophthalmologist removing a small eyelid lesion through shaving.

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