How To Use CPT Code 17110

CPT 17110 refers to the destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, up to 14 lesions. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, when to use the code, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 17110 procedures.

1. What is CPT 17110?

CPT 17110 is a medical procedure code used to describe the destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, up to 14 lesions. This code is utilized by healthcare providers to report the specific method and number of lesions destroyed during a single session.

2. 17110 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 17110 is: “Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions.”

3. Procedure

The 17110 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is appropriately prepped for the procedure.
2. Anesthesia, such as local anesthesia, may be administered if necessary.
3. The provider destroys one or more benign lesions using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, laser surgery, or surgical curettement.
4. The provider ensures that the surrounding tissue is not damaged during the destruction process.
5. The procedure is completed, and the patient is monitored for any complications or adverse reactions.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 17110 services are those with one or more benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, up to a maximum of 14 lesions. These lesions may include warts, molluscum contagiosum, or milia. The provider must determine that the destruction of these lesions is medically necessary and appropriate for the patient’s condition.

5. When to use CPT code 17110

It is appropriate to bill the 17110 CPT code when a healthcare provider performs the destruction of one to 14 benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. The provider must ensure that the procedure is medically necessary and that the chosen method of destruction is suitable for the specific type and location of the lesions.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 17110, the following information must be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and physical examination findings
• Diagnosis and indication for the procedure
• Number and location of lesions to be destroyed
• Method of destruction used (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement)
• Details of anesthesia administration, if applicable
• Procedure outcome and any complications or adverse reactions
• Post-procedure care instructions and follow-up plan

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 17110, it is essential to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules. Some tips and codes that apply to CPT code 17110 include:

• Use CPT code 17111 for the destruction of 15 or more lesions.
• For the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, report CPT codes 17106, 17107, or 17108.
• For the removal of skin tags, report CPT codes 11200 or 11201.
• Ensure that the documentation supports the medical necessity of the procedure and the chosen method of destruction.

8. Historical information

CPT 17110 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been several updates to the code since its addition:

• Code Changed on 01-01-2002: “Destruction by any method of flat warts, molluscum contagiosum, or milia; up to 14 lesions.”
• Code Changed on 01-01-2007: “Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of flat warts, molluscum contagiosum, or milia; up to 14 lesions.”
• Code Changed on 01-01-2008: “Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions; up to 14 lesions.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 17110

Five similar codes to CPT 17110 and how they differentiate from CPT 17110 are:

1. CPT 17111: This code is used for the destruction of 15 or more benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions.
2. CPT 17106: This code is used for the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions involving up to 14.9 sq cm.
3. CPT 17107: This code is used for the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions involving 15.0 to 50.0 sq cm.
4. CPT 17108: This code is used for the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions involving over 50.0 sq cm.
5. CPT 11200: This code is used for the removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area, up to and including 15 lesions.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 17110 procedures:

1. A patient with 10 flat warts on their hands undergoes cryosurgery for lesion destruction.
2. A patient with 5 molluscum contagiosum lesions on their face undergoes laser surgery for lesion destruction.
3. A patient with 12 milia on their cheeks undergoes electrosurgery for lesion destruction.
4. A patient with 8 benign lesions on their back undergoes chemosurgery for lesion destruction.
5. A patient with 3 benign lesions on their legs undergoes surgical curettement for lesion destruction.
6. A patient with 14 benign lesions on their arms undergoes cryosurgery for lesion destruction.
7. A patient with 7 benign lesions on their chest undergoes laser surgery for lesion destruction.
8. A patient with 6 benign lesions on their abdomen undergoes electrosurgery for lesion destruction.
9. A patient with 4 benign lesions on their neck undergoes chemosurgery for lesion destruction.
10. A patient with 2 benign lesions on their forehead undergoes surgical curettement for lesion destruction.