How To Use cpt 11424

cpt 11424 describes the excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 11424.

1. What is cpt 11424?

cpt 11424 is a code used to describe the excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. This procedure involves the removal of the lesion, including the margins, from the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 11424 is: ‘Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm.’

3. Procedure

1. The patient is appropriately prepped and the area to be excised is anesthetized.
2. The healthcare provider holds a scalpel or other bladed instrument perpendicular to the lesion.
3. The provider excises the lesion, including the margins, in an elliptical, wedge, or circular shape to ensure complete removal.
4. If necessary, the excised specimen may be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
5. The provider checks for bleeding and then closes the wound in a single layer.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 11424 is used for the excision of noncancerous lesions, excluding skin tags, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. The procedure is performed on the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals.

5. When to use cpt code 11424

cpt 11424 should be used when a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm needs to be excised from the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. It is important to note that this code should not be used for lesions with a diameter of 4 cm or larger, as there is a separate code for those cases (cpt 11426).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 11424, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for excision of the lesion
• Location and size of the lesion
• Details of the excision procedure, including the technique used and any complications encountered
• Whether the excised specimen was sent for analysis
• Method of wound closure
• Any post-operative instructions or follow-up care provided to the patient

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 11424, ensure that the excision is performed on a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. It is important to use the appropriate code based on the size of the lesion. If multiple lesions are excised during the same session, modifier 59 should be applied to indicate that each excision is a distinct procedural service.

8. Historical information

cpt 11424 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to cpt 11424

Five similar codes to cpt 11424 include:

• cpt 11420: Excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter of 0.5 cm or less.
• cpt 11421: Excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 cm.
• cpt 11422: Excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 1.1 to 2.0 cm.
• cpt 11423: Excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter ranging from 2.1 to 3.0 cm.
• cpt 11426: Excision of a noncancerous lesion, excluding a skin tag, with a diameter over 4 cm.

9. Examples

1. A dermatologist performing the excision of a 3.5 cm noncancerous lesion on the scalp.
2. A plastic surgeon removing a 4.0 cm noncancerous lesion from the neck.
3. A hand surgeon excising a 3.2 cm noncancerous lesion on the hand.
4. A gynecologist performing the excision of a 3.8 cm noncancerous lesion on the genitals.
5. A podiatrist removing a 3.6 cm noncancerous lesion from the foot.
6. A dermatologist performing the excision of a 3.3 cm noncancerous lesion on the scalp.
7. A plastic surgeon removing a 3.9 cm noncancerous lesion from the neck.
8. A hand surgeon excising a 3.4 cm noncancerous lesion on the hand.
9. A gynecologist performing the excision of a 3.7 cm noncancerous lesion on the genitals.
10. A podiatrist removing a 3.5 cm noncancerous lesion from the foot.