How To Use CPT Code 17111

CPT code 17111 describes the destruction of benign lesions using various techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 17111?

CPT 17111 is a code used to report the destruction of benign lesions, excluding skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, using techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. This code is specifically used when 15 or more lesions are destroyed.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 17111 is: ‘Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions 15 or more lesions.’

3. Procedure

The procedure for CPT code 17111 involves the destruction of benign lesions using techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. The provider assesses the patient’s condition and determines the need for lesion destruction. Local anesthesia may be administered to the patient for comfort.

The provider then uses the chosen technique to destroy the lesions without damaging the surrounding tissue. This may involve exposing the lesions to a laser beam, high-frequency electrical current, chemical agents, liquid nitrogen, or using a surgical curette to scrape away the lesions.

CPT code 17111 should only be used when 15 or more lesions are destroyed during the procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT code 17111 is applicable when the provider performs the destruction of 15 or more benign lesions, excluding skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. The lesions may include warts, but not flat warts, molluscum contagiosum, or milia. The procedure must be performed by a qualified healthcare professional using techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement.

5. When to use CPT code 17111

CPT code 17111 should be used when the provider performs the destruction of 15 or more benign lesions, excluding skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. It is important to ensure that the lesions meet the criteria for destruction and that the procedure is performed using the specified techniques.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 17111, the provider must document the following information:

• The number of lesions destroyed (15 or more)
• The specific technique used for lesion destruction (laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement)
• Date of the procedure
• Any anesthesia administered
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the provider

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 17111, ensure that the provider has performed the destruction of 15 or more benign lesions, excluding skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. It is important to use the appropriate technique for lesion destruction and document the procedure accurately.

Do not report CPT code 17111 for the removal of skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. For the removal of one to 14 lesions, use CPT code 17110. For the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, report CPT codes 17106, 17107, or 17108.

8. Historical information

CPT code 17111 has undergone historical changes. It was initially added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1998. Since then, there have been updates to the code, including changes to the description and the addition of notes.

9. Similar codes to CPT 17111

There are several similar codes to CPT code 17111 that are used for different procedures. These include:

• CPT 17110: Removal of one to 14 benign lesions
• CPT 17106: Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, one to 14 lesions
• CPT 17107: Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, 15 or more lesions
• CPT 17108: Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, more than 15 lesions
• CPT 11200: Removal of skin tags, up to 15 lesions
• CPT 11201: Removal of skin tags, each additional 10 lesions or part thereof

9. Examples

1. A dermatologist performing laser surgery to destroy 20 benign lesions on a patient’s face.
2. An electrosurgeon using electrosurgery to destroy 25 benign lesions on a patient’s arms.
3. A provider using cryosurgery to destroy 30 benign lesions on a patient’s legs.
4. A surgeon performing chemosurgery to destroy 18 benign lesions on a patient’s back.
5. A dermatologist using surgical curettement to destroy 17 benign lesions on a patient’s chest.
6. An electrosurgeon performing electrosurgery to destroy 22 benign lesions on a patient’s scalp.
7. A provider using cryosurgery to destroy 16 benign lesions on a patient’s hands.
8. A surgeon performing chemosurgery to destroy 19 benign lesions on a patient’s neck.
9. A dermatologist using laser surgery to destroy 21 benign lesions on a patient’s abdomen.
10. An electrosurgeon performing electrosurgery to destroy 24 benign lesions on a patient’s back.