Summary & Overview

CPT 11057: Removal of Multiple Benign Hyperkeratotic Lesions

CPT code 11057 identifies the surgical removal of more than four benign hyperkeratotic lesions using instruments such as a scalpel or curette. Nationally, this code matters because it captures a common dermatologic minor-procedure service line that affects physician billing, outpatient surgical workflow, and classification of procedure intensity for payers and Medicare. Payers commonly involved in reimbursement and coverage decisions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find an overview of the clinical service and typical settings, plus national benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to minor dermatologic surgical coding. The publication summarizes utilization benchmarks, common billing practice considerations, and clinical context for when CPT code 11057 is reported versus other excision or destruction codes. It also outlines payer coverage patterns and documentation drivers that influence claim adjudication. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare11057CPTdermatologyskin-surgeryprocedure-codingminor-procedureshyperkeratotic-lesions

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 11057 describes the surgical removal of more than four benign hyperkeratotic lesions using instruments such as a scalpel, curette, or similar surgical tools. The procedure involves physical excision or debridement of multiple benign keratotic skin lesions.

Service type: Surgical removal of benign hyperkeratotic skin lesions
Typical site of service: Dermatology clinic or outpatient surgical setting (minor procedure room)

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient dermatology clinic with multiple benign hyperkeratotic lesions such as common warts or calluses on the hands or feet. The patient has already tried conservative therapies (topical salicylic acid, cryotherapy) with incomplete response. The dermatologist performs a brief history and focused skin exam, documents lesion number, size, and anatomic locations, and obtains informed consent for procedural removal. The procedure is performed in the clinic procedure room using local anesthesia (topical or local infiltration), and the provider uses a curette, scalpel, or forceps to remove more than four benign hyperkeratotic lesions. Hemostasis is achieved with pressure, chemical cautery, or electrocautery as needed. Specimens are typically not sent for pathology because the clinical diagnosis is benign; wound care instructions and follow-up are provided. Typical site of service is an outpatient dermatology office or ambulatory surgery center when performed under standard local anesthesia. Typical modifiers applied reflect professional component, laterality, or unusual circumstances (for example 26, RT, LT, 59, 52). Typical patient scenario: an adult with multiple plantar warts refractory to topical therapy who elects procedural curettage of five lesions in the clinic under local anesthesia.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207Y00000X	Dermatology	Primary specialty performing skin lesion removal procedures in outpatient settings
207Q00000X	Dermatopathology	Consulted when pathology is submitted or diagnostic confirmation is needed
208000000X	General Surgery	May perform multiple lesion removals in procedural settings, especially for large or complex areas
363L00000X	Family Medicine	Performs office-based lesion removals in primary care settings
207L00000X	Pediatric Dermatology	Performs similar procedures in pediatric patients with age-appropriate care

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`L84`	Corns and callosities	Common benign hyperkeratotic lesions frequently treated with paring or curettage
`B07.9`	Viral wart, unspecified	Common indication for removal when refractory to conservative therapy
`L85.4`	Keratoderma (acquired)	Hyperkeratotic conditions that may require debridement or paring for symptomatic relief
`L91.8`	Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin	Includes focal hyperkeratosis variants treated by curettage or paring
`M79.89`	Other specified soft tissue disorders	Used when hyperkeratotic lesions are symptomatic and associated with soft tissue complaints (limited use)

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11056`	Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn, callus); single lesion	Performed when only a single hyperkeratotic lesion is treated; `11057` is used when more than four lesions are removed
`11058`	Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesions; 5 to 14 lesions	An alternative code for multiple lesions in a higher lesion-count range; use the code that matches the number of lesions per payer guidance
`17110`	Destruction, flat warts, molluscum, or other benign lesions; up to 14 lesions	Used when lesions are treated with destructive modalities (eg, cryotherapy, electrosurgery) rather than surgical paring/curettage
`11100`	Biopsy of single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; single lesion	Used when a suspicious lesion requires biopsy for histologic diagnosis instead of routine curettage
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit, global surgery package included services	Relevant for documentation of routine postoperative care when a global period applies; typically not separately billable for minor office procedures unless payer allows

`RT`	Right side	When all or the majority of removed lesions are on the right side of the body (if laterality reporting is required)
`LT`	Left side	When all or the majority of removed lesions are on the left side of the body (if laterality reporting is required)
`26`	Professional component	When reporting only the professional component separate from a facility billing (rare for this office-based procedure)
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When another distinct procedure is performed on the same day and it is separate and independent from the lesion removals
`52`	Reduced services	When the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When the procedure is started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances or patient request
`50`	Bilateral procedure	When comparable procedures are performed bilaterally and payer requires a bilateral modifier (use per payer rules)
`22`	Increased procedural services	When work, time, or complexity substantially exceeds typical for this CPT code and documentation supports the increased services
`24`	Unrelated E/M by same physician during postoperative period	When an evaluation and management service unrelated to the procedure is provided during the global period (Note: `24` is not in the provided list and therefore not used)
`51`	Multiple procedures	When multiple unrelated procedures are reported on the same day in addition to the lesion removals