How To Use CPT Code 17262

CPT code 17262 describes the destruction of a malignant lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs using various techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, 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 17262?

CPT 17262 is used to describe the destruction of a malignant lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures 1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter. The procedure involves using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or surgical curettement to remove the lesion.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 17262 is: ‘Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm.’

3. Procedure

When performing CPT 17262, the healthcare provider begins by assessing the patient’s condition and determining the need for lesion destruction. The provider may choose to administer anesthesia, such as local anesthesia, to ensure the patient’s comfort during the procedure.

The provider then proceeds to destroy the malignant lesion using various techniques. Chemosurgery involves the use of chemical agents like trichloroacetic acid, hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid to destroy the lesion. Cryosurgery, also known as cryoablation or cryotherapy, uses freezing temperatures to destroy damaged or abnormal tissues. Electrosurgery utilizes electricity to create heat and cause the thermal destruction of tissue. Surgical curettement involves scraping away the lesion using a curette, which is an instrument with a scoop, ring, or gouging implement at the end.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 17262 is applicable when the patient has a malignant lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures 1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter. The lesion must be confirmed as cancerous and capable of spreading if left untreated. The procedure should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional who is experienced in the techniques of chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or surgical curettement.

5. When to use CPT code 17262

CPT code 17262 should be used when a healthcare professional performs the destruction of a malignant lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures 1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter. It is important to accurately measure the lesion to ensure proper coding.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 17262, the healthcare professional must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and confirmation of a malignant lesion
• Size of the lesion (1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter)
• Technique used for lesion destruction (chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or surgical curettement)
• Date of the procedure
• Any anesthesia administered
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the healthcare professional performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 17262, ensure that the procedure meets the specific criteria outlined in the code description. It is important to accurately measure the lesion and document the technique used for destruction. CPT code 17262 should not be reported if other destruction procedures (CPT codes 17260-17261, 17263-17266, or 17270-17286) have already been performed on the same lesion within the same session or within the previous seven days.

8. Historical information

CPT code 17262 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1992. The code underwent a change on January 1, 2002, with the addition of the specific lesion diameter range (1.1 to 2.0 cm).

9. Similar codes to CPT 17262

There are several similar codes to CPT 17262 that describe destruction procedures on malignant lesions of the integumentary system. These include:

• CPT 17260: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs lesion diameter 0.5 or less
• CPT 17261: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm
• CPT 17263-17266: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less, 0.6 to 1.0 cm, 1.1 to 2.0 cm, or over 2.0 cm, respectively
• CPT 17270-17286: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less, 0.6 to 1.0 cm, 1.1 to 2.0 cm, or over 2.0 cm, respectively

9. Examples

1. A dermatologist performs the destruction of a 1.5 cm malignant lesion on a patient’s leg using cryosurgery.
2. A plastic surgeon uses electrosurgery to destroy a 1.8 cm malignant lesion on a patient’s arm.
3. An oncologist performs chemosurgery to destroy a 1.2 cm malignant lesion on a patient’s trunk.
4. A general surgeon utilizes surgical curettement to remove a 1.6 cm malignant lesion on a patient’s leg.
5. A dermatologist performs the destruction of a 1.1 cm malignant lesion on a patient’s trunk using cryosurgery.
6. A plastic surgeon uses electrosurgery to destroy a 2.0 cm malignant lesion on a patient’s arm.