How To Use cpt 11622

cpt 11622 describes the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm from the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 11622.

1. What is cpt 11622?

cpt 11622 is a code used to describe the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm from the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. This procedure involves the removal of the entire lesion, along with a margin of healthy tissue, to ensure complete removal of the cancerous cells. The excised tissue may be sent to a laboratory for further evaluation or a frozen section may be performed to determine if additional excision of margins is necessary.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 11622 is: ‘Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm.’

3. Procedure

The procedure for cpt 11622 involves the following steps:

1. The provider prepares the patient and administers local anesthesia to the area.
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.
4. The entire lesion, including the previously outlined margins, is excised.
5. All margins are cleaned and bleeding is controlled.
6. The wound is closed with sutures.
7. If necessary, the excised tissue may be sent to a laboratory for further evaluation or a frozen section may be performed to determine if additional excision of margins is needed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 11622 is used for the excision of malignant lesions with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm from the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. 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 and cause harm if left untreated.

5. When to use cpt code 11622

cpt 11622 should be used when a provider performs the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm from the skin of the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. It is important to accurately document the size of the lesion and ensure that it falls within the specified diameter range for this code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 11622, the following documentation is required:

• Diagnosis of a malignant lesion
• Size of the lesion (1.1 to 2.0 cm)
• Location of the lesion (scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia)
• Description of the excision procedure, including the use of margins
• Details of any additional procedures performed, such as a frozen section or further excision of margins
• Pathology report, if available

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 11622, ensure that the excision is performed on a malignant lesion with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm from the specified areas. It is important to accurately document the size and location of the lesion to support the use of this code. If multiple lesions are excised during the same session, modifier 59 may be used to indicate that each excision is a distinct procedural service.

8. Historical information

cpt 11622 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 11622

Five similar codes to cpt 11622 include:

• cpt 11620: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 0.5 cm or less
• cpt 11621: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm
• cpt 11623: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm
• cpt 11624: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm
• cpt 11626: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter over 4.0 cm

9. Examples

1. A dermatologist performs the excision of a 1.5 cm melanoma from the scalp of a patient.
2. A surgeon excises a 1.8 cm squamous cell carcinoma from the neck of a patient.
3. A plastic surgeon removes a 1.2 cm basal cell carcinoma from the hand of a patient.
4. An oncologist performs the excision of a 1.7 cm melanoma from the foot of a patient.
5. A gynecologist removes a 1.4 cm squamous cell carcinoma from the genitalia of a patient.
6. A dermatologist excises a 1.3 cm basal cell carcinoma from the scalp of a patient.
7. A surgeon performs the excision of a 1.6 cm melanoma from the neck of a patient.
8. A plastic surgeon removes a 1.1 cm squamous cell carcinoma from the hand of a patient.
9. An oncologist excises a 1.9 cm basal cell carcinoma from the foot of a patient.
10. A gynecologist performs the excision of a 1.2 cm melanoma from the genitalia of a patient.