How To Use cpt 11601

cpt 11601 describes the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, with a diameter of 0.6 to 1.0 cm on the trunk, arms, or legs. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 11601.

1. What is cpt 11601?

cpt 11601 is a code used to describe the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, with a diameter of 0.6 to 1.0 cm on the trunk, arms, or legs. This procedure involves the removal of the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal of the lesion. It is typically performed under local anesthesia.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 11601 is: ‘Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider prepares the patient and administers local anesthesia to the area surrounding the malignant lesion.
2. A margin of healthy tissue is identified and outlined with a marking pen.
3. The provider makes a full-thickness incision through the skin, encompassing the entire lesion and the previously outlined margins.
4. All margins are carefully cleaned and bleeding is controlled.
5. The wound is closed with sutures.
6. If necessary, the excised lesion may be sent to a laboratory for further evaluation or a frozen section may be performed to determine if additional excision of margins is required.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 11601 is used for the excision of malignant lesions with a diameter of 0.6 to 1.0 cm on the trunk, arms, or legs. These lesions can include melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or basal cell carcinoma. The procedure is performed when the lesion is locally invasive and has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

5. When to use cpt code 11601

cpt 11601 should be used when a provider performs the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, with a diameter of 0.6 to 1.0 cm on the trunk, arms, or legs. It is important to accurately document the size of the lesion and the location on the body to support the use of this code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 11601, the provider must document the following information:

• Diagnosis of a malignant lesion
• Size of the lesion (0.6 to 1.0 cm)
• Location of the lesion (trunk, arms, or legs)
• Details of the excision procedure, including the use of local anesthesia
• Description of the margins excised
• Any additional procedures performed, such as a frozen section or further excision of margins
• Pathology results, if available

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 11601, ensure that the excision meets the criteria specified in the code description, including the size of the lesion and the location on the body. It is important to accurately document the procedure and provide any necessary supporting documentation, such as pathology results. Modifier 59 may be used if multiple lesions of different sizes are excised during the same session.

8. Historical information

cpt 11601 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 11601

Five similar codes to cpt 11601 include:

• cpt 11600: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs excised diameter 0.5 cm or less
• cpt 11602: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm
• cpt 11603: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm
• cpt 11604: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm
• cpt 11606: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs excised diameter over 4.0 cm

9. Examples

1. A dermatologist performs the excision of a 0.8 cm melanoma on the patient’s leg.
2. A plastic surgeon removes a 0.7 cm squamous cell carcinoma from the patient’s arm.
3. An oncologist excises a 0.9 cm basal cell carcinoma on the patient’s trunk.
4. A general surgeon performs the excision of a 0.6 cm melanoma on the patient’s leg.
5. A dermatologist removes a 1.0 cm squamous cell carcinoma from the patient’s arm.
6. An oncologist excises a 0.8 cm basal cell carcinoma on the patient’s trunk.
7. A plastic surgeon performs the excision of a 0.7 cm melanoma on the patient’s leg.
8. A general surgeon removes a 0.9 cm squamous cell carcinoma from the patient’s arm.
9. An oncologist excises a 0.6 cm basal cell carcinoma on the patient’s trunk.
10. A dermatologist performs the excision of a 1.0 cm melanoma on the patient’s leg.