How To Use CPT Code 17283
CPT code 17283 describes the destruction of a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane 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 17283?
CPT code 17283 is used to describe the destruction of a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane. The lesion must have a diameter between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm. The procedure involves using techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement to remove the malignant lesion.
2. Official Description
The official description of CPT code 17283 is: ‘Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm.’
3. Procedure
When performing CPT code 17283, the healthcare provider begins by appropriately prepping the patient. They 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, which is between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm in diameter, using techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. These techniques involve exposing the targeted lesion to a laser beam, high-frequency electrical current, chemical agents, liquid nitrogen, or a surgical curette. The goal is to completely remove the malignant lesion from the affected area.
4. Qualifying circumstances
CPT code 17283 is applicable when a patient has a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane with a diameter between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm. The lesion must be confirmed as malignant, meaning it is cancerous and has the potential to spread if left untreated. The procedure should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional who is experienced in the specific techniques used for lesion destruction, such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement.
5. When to use CPT code 17283
CPT code 17283 should be used when a patient has a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane with a diameter between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm. The procedure involves the destruction of the lesion using techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. It is important to accurately document the size of the lesion and the specific technique used for destruction to support the use of CPT code 17283.
6. Documentation requirements
To support a claim for CPT code 17283, the healthcare provider must document the following information:
- Patient’s diagnosis of a malignant lesion
- Size of the lesion (diameter between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm)
- Specific technique used for lesion destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement)
- Date of the procedure
- Any anesthesia administered
- Progress made during the procedure
- Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure
7. Billing guidelines
When billing for CPT code 17283, ensure that the procedure meets the specific criteria outlined in the code description. The lesion must be malignant and have a diameter between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm. The healthcare provider should use the appropriate technique for lesion destruction, such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. It is important to accurately document the procedure and any anesthesia administered. CPT code 17283 should not be reported if other destruction codes (17280-17286) have already been performed on the same lesion within the same session.
8. Historical information
CPT code 17283 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2002. Prior to that, there was no specific code for the destruction of a malignant lesion with a diameter between 2.1 cm and 3.0 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.
9. Similar codes to CPT code 17283
There are several similar codes to CPT code 17283 that may be used depending on the size and location of the malignant lesion. These codes include:
- CPT 17280: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less
- CPT 17281: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm
- CPT 17282: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm
- CPT 17284: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm
- CPT 17286: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter over 4.0 cm
9. Examples
- A dermatologist using laser surgery to destroy a 2.5 cm malignant lesion on
