How To Use cpt 11644

cpt 11644 describes the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, and lips, 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 11644.

1. What is cpt 11644?

cpt 11644 is a code used to describe the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, on specific areas of the face, such as the ears, eyelids, nose, and lips. The excised lesion has a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. This procedure is typically performed to remove cancerous growths from the skin in these specific areas.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 11644 is: ‘Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider prepares the patient and administers local anesthesia to the affected 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, encompassing the entire lesion and the previously outlined margins.
4. All margins are cleaned, bleeding is controlled, and the wound is closed with sutures.
5. 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 11644 is used for the excision of malignant lesions on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, and lips. These lesions are cancerous and can potentially invade healthy tissue and metastasize to other parts of the body. The diameter of the excised lesion must be between 3.1 and 4.0 cm. This procedure is typically performed by a healthcare professional to remove cancerous growths and prevent further spread of the disease.

5. When to use cpt code 11644

cpt 11644 should be used when a healthcare professional performs the excision of a malignant lesion, including margins, on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, and lips, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. This code is appropriate for cases where the lesion is confirmed to be cancerous and requires surgical removal. It is important to accurately document the size of the lesion and its location to support the use of cpt 11644.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 11644, the healthcare professional must document the following information:

• Confirmation of the malignant nature of the lesion
• The size of the lesion, with a diameter between 3.1 and 4.0 cm
• The specific areas of the face where the excision was performed (ears, eyelids, nose, lips)
• Details of the procedure, including the use of local anesthesia, the identification of margins, the full-thickness incision, and the closure of the wound
• Any additional procedures performed, such as sending the excised lesion for further evaluation or performing a frozen section
• Signature of the healthcare professional performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 11644, ensure that the excision is performed on a malignant lesion, including margins, on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, and lips, with a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 cm. 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. It is also important to follow any specific billing guidelines provided by the payer or coding guidelines.

8. Historical information

cpt 11644 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code underwent a change on January 1, 2003, with the addition of the phrase ‘lesion diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm’ to the code description.

9. Similar codes to cpt 11644

Five similar codes to cpt 11644 include:

• cpt 11640: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips excised diameter 0.5 cm or less
• cpt 11641: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm
• cpt 11642: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm
• cpt 11643: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm
• cpt 11646: Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips excised diameter over 4.0 cm

9. Examples

1. A dermatologist performing the excision of a 3.5 cm malignant lesion on the nose.
2. A plastic surgeon removing a 4.0 cm malignant lesion on the eyelid.
3. An otolaryngologist excising a 3.2 cm malignant lesion on the ear.
4. A maxillofacial surgeon removing a 3.8 cm malignant lesion on the lip.
5. A facial plastic surgeon performing the excision of a 3.6 cm malignant lesion on the earlobe.
6. A head and neck surgeon removing a 3.3 cm malignant lesion on the cheek.
7. A oculoplastic surgeon excising a 3.9 cm malignant lesion on the eyelid margin.
8. A reconstructive surgeon removing a 3.7 cm malignant lesion on the nose.
9. A facial plastic surgeon performing the excision of a 3.4 cm malignant lesion on the lip.
10. An otolaryngologist excising a 3.1 cm malignant lesion on the ear canal.