How To Use CPT Code 17000

CPT 17000 refers to the destruction of a premalignant lesion using various techniques. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 17000.

1. What is CPT 17000?

CPT 17000 is a medical billing code used to describe the destruction of a premalignant lesion using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, laser surgery, or surgical curettement. This code is specifically used for the first or only lesion treated during a procedure.

2. 17000 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 17000 is: “Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); first lesion.”

3. Procedure

The 17000 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is appropriately prepped for the procedure, which may include the administration of anesthesia, such as local anesthesia.
2. The provider selects the appropriate method for lesion destruction, which may include laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement.
3. The provider destroys the first or only premalignant lesion, such as actinic keratosis, without damaging the surrounding tissue.
4. The destroyed lesion is removed, and the area is cleaned and dressed as needed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 17000 services are those with one or more premalignant lesions, such as actinic keratoses, that require destruction using the techniques mentioned above. The code is specifically used for the first or only lesion treated during the procedure. Additional lesions treated during the same session will require the use of different CPT codes.

5. When to use CPT code 17000

CPT code 17000 should be used when a provider destroys a single premalignant lesion using the techniques described in the code’s official description. This code is appropriate for the first or only lesion treated during the procedure. If multiple lesions are treated, additional codes will need to be used for the subsequent lesions.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 17000, the following information should be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and physical examination findings, including the presence of premalignant lesions.
• Indication for the procedure, such as the type and location of the premalignant lesion(s).
• Details of the procedure performed, including the method of destruction used (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement).
• Number of lesions treated during the procedure, with CPT 17000 specifically used for the first or only lesion.
• Post-procedure care instructions and follow-up plan.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 17000, it is essential to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules. Some tips and codes that apply to CPT 17000 include:

• Use CPT 17000 for the first or only premalignant lesion treated during the procedure.
• For the destruction of additional premalignant lesions (two to 14), use CPT code +17003. Report one unit per lesion.
• For the destruction of 15 or more premalignant lesions, use CPT code 17004.
• Ensure that the documentation supports the use of CPT 17000, including the method of destruction and the number of lesions treated.

8. Historical information

CPT 17000 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been updates to the code’s description since its addition, with the most recent change occurring on January 1, 2007.

9. Similar codes to CPT 17000

Five similar codes to CPT 17000 and how they differentiate are:

1. CPT +17003: Used for the destruction of additional premalignant lesions (two to 14) during the same session as CPT 17000.
2. CPT 17004: Used for the destruction of 15 or more premalignant lesions during a single session.
3. CPT 17110: Used for the destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, up to 14 lesions.
4. CPT 17111: Used for the destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, 15 or more lesions.
5. CPT 17250: Used for the chemical cauterization of granulation tissue, such as wound care management.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 17000 procedures:

1. A patient with a single actinic keratosis on the forehead undergoes cryosurgery for lesion destruction.
2. A patient with a single premalignant lesion on the cheek undergoes laser surgery for lesion destruction.
3. A patient with a single actinic keratosis on the nose undergoes electrosurgery for lesion destruction.
4. A patient with a single premalignant lesion on the ear undergoes chemosurgery for lesion destruction.
5. A patient with a single actinic keratosis on the scalp undergoes surgical curettement for lesion destruction.
6. A patient with a single premalignant lesion on the neck undergoes cryosurgery for lesion destruction.
7. A patient with a single actinic keratosis on the chest undergoes laser surgery for lesion destruction.
8. A patient with a single premalignant lesion on the back undergoes electrosurgery for lesion destruction.
9. A patient with a single actinic keratosis on the arm undergoes chemosurgery for lesion destruction.
10. A patient with a single premalignant lesion on the leg undergoes surgical curettement for lesion destruction.