How To Use CPT Code 17284

CPT code 17284 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 17284?

CPT code 17284 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 3.1 cm and 4.0 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 17284 is: ‘Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm.’

3. Procedure

The procedure for CPT code 17284 involves the following steps:

1. The patient is appropriately prepped for the procedure.
2. The provider may administer anesthesia, such as local anesthesia, if necessary.
3. The provider then uses techniques such as laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement to destroy the malignant lesion.
4. The lesion must have a diameter between 3.1 cm and 4.0 cm.
5. The provider may use a laser beam, high-frequency electrical current, chemical agents, liquid nitrogen, or a surgical curette to remove the lesion.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT code 17284 is applicable when the patient has a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane with a diameter between 3.1 cm and 4.0 cm. The lesion must be confirmed as malignant, meaning it is cancerous and has the potential to spread if left untreated.

5. When to use CPT code 17284

CPT code 17284 should be used when a provider performs the destruction of a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane with a diameter between 3.1 cm and 4.0 cm. It is important to accurately document the size and location of the lesion to support the use of this code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 17284, the following documentation is required:

• Confirmation of the malignant nature of the lesion
• Size of the lesion, which must be between 3.1 cm and 4.0 cm in diameter
• Details of the technique used for lesion destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement)
• Any anesthesia administered, such as local anesthesia
• Date of the procedure
• Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 17284, ensure that the procedure meets the specific criteria outlined in the code description. It is important to accurately document the size and location of the lesion, as well as the technique used for destruction. CPT code 17284 should not be reported with other codes for lesion destruction on the same date of service.

8. Historical information

CPT code 17284 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1992. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 17284

Five similar codes to CPT 17284 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 17283: 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
• CPT 17286: Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane lesion diameter over 4.0 cm

9. Examples

1. A provider using laser surgery to destroy a 3.5 cm malignant lesion on the face.
2. A provider performing electrosurgery to remove a 4.0 cm malignant lesion on the nose.
3. A provider using cryosurgery to treat a 3.2 cm malignant lesion on the lips.
4. A provider performing chemosurgery to remove a 3.8 cm malignant lesion on the ears.
5. A provider using surgical curettement to treat a 3.6 cm malignant lesion on the mucous membrane.
6. A provider using laser surgery to destroy a 3.3 cm malignant lesion on the eyelids.
7. A provider performing electrosurgery to remove a 3.7 cm malignant lesion on the face.
8. A provider using cryosurgery to treat a 3.4 cm malignant lesion on the nose.