How To Use CPT Code 17312
CPT code 17312 describes the Mohs micrographic technique, including the removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation including routine stain(s) (eg, hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue), for procedures performed on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. 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 17312?
CPT code 17312 is used to describe the Mohs micrographic technique, a multi-staged method of excising a malignant lesion layer by layer, along with histopathological assessment, to ensure negative malignancy of the margins. This code is specifically used for procedures performed on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels.
2. Official Description
The official description of CPT code 17312 is: ‘Mohs micrographic technique, including removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation including routine stain(s) (eg, hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue), head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels each additional stage after the first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).’
3. Procedure
The procedure for CPT code 17312 involves a multi-staged surgery performed by a provider on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. The provider begins by applying a fixative paste, such as zinc chloride, to the area. They then remove a layered skin lesion and map the lesion, creating individual cross-sections of the malignant tissue. The excised site is marked with ink, and the lesion is frozen and examined for malignancy. If malignancy is found, another layer is excised and examined. This process continues until pathology results yield a negative result for malignancy. The site is then closed with sutures or a graft. CPT code 17312 is used for each additional stage the provider performs, for up to five tissue blocks.
4. Qualifying circumstances
CPT code 17312 is used for procedures performed on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. The procedure is typically performed on patients with malignant lesions that require the Mohs micrographic technique for complete excision and assessment of margins. It is important to note that CPT code 17312 should be used in conjunction with CPT code 17311 for the first stage of the surgery.
5. When to use CPT code 17312
CPT code 17312 should be used when a provider performs additional stages of the Mohs micrographic technique on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. This code should be used in addition to the primary procedure code (CPT code 17311) for the first stage of the surgery.
6. Documentation requirements
To support a claim for CPT code 17312, the provider must document the following information:
- Diagnosis indicating the need for the Mohs micrographic technique
- Details of the procedure performed, including the removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation
- Number of additional stages performed (up to five tissue blocks)
- Date and duration of each stage
- Pathology results indicating negative malignancy of the margins
- Method of closure (suturing or grafting)
- Signature of the performing provider
7. Billing guidelines
When billing for CPT code 17312, it is important to ensure that the procedure is performed on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or any location with surgery directly involving muscle, cartilage, bone, tendon, major nerves, or vessels. CPT code 17312 should be reported in addition to the primary procedure code (CPT code 17311) for the first stage of the surgery. It is also important to note that CPT code 17312 should not be reported if CPT codes 17313 to 17315 have already been performed in the previous seven days.
8. Historical information
CPT code 17312 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2007. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.
9. Similar codes to CPT 17312
Five similar codes to CPT 17312 include:
- CPT 17311: This code is used for the first stage of the Mohs micrographic technique, including removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation.
- CPT 17313: This code is used for each additional stage after the first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks, of the Mohs micrographic technique, for procedures performed on the trunk, arms, or legs.
- CPT 17314: This code is used for each additional stage after the first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks, of the Mohs micrographic technique, for procedures performed on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia.
- CPT 17315: This code is used for each additional stage after the first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks, of the Mohs micrographic technique, for procedures performed on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes.
- CPT 88331: This code is used for the microscopic examination of prepared tissue slides, including routine stains, by a pathologist.
