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    OpenPayerBilling CodesShaving of Epidermal or Dermal Lesions ProceduresCPT cpt-11301-shave-removal-dermal-epidermal-lesion-trunk-arms-legs
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    CPT 11301: Shaving of Epidermal or Dermal Lesion 0.6–1.0 cm

    Medicare pays $121 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 11301 describes the shaving of a single epidermal or dermal skin lesion measuring 0.6 to 1.0 cm in diameter, a minor surgical procedure typically performed on the trunk, arms, or legs in an outpatient or office-based setting; the entry clarifies the clinical service (lesion shave excision), expected lesion size, and typical site of service for clinical documentation and billing purposes.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 54-year-old patient presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic with a solitary, raised pigmented papule on the lateral forearm measuring approximately 0.8 cm in greatest diameter. The lesion has been present for several months and the clinician determines that a diagnostic and therapeutic shave removal is appropriate. After informed consent, the medical assistant documents allergies and medications, and the clinician photographs and marks the site. Local infiltration with 1% lidocaine with epinephrine is performed. Using a curette or scalpel held tangentially, the clinician performs a shave excision limited to the epidermis and superficial dermis to remove the lesion in one pass. Hemostasis is attained with electrocautery or chemical cautery. The specimen is placed in formalin and labeled for pathology if pathology submission is indicated. Procedure documentation includes lesion size (0.6–1.0 cm), anatomic location on the trunk, arms, or legs, anesthesia used, technique (single lesion shave), estimated blood loss (usually minimal), and pathology/send-out instructions if performed. Typical sites of service are outpatient dermatology clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or physician office-based procedure room. Common personnel involved include the dermatology provider (physician or advanced practice provider), medical assistant or nurse, and pathology courier when needed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    11300Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, trunk, arms, or legs; diameter 0.5 cm or lessRepresents a smaller lesion size category; used when lesion is ≤0.5 cm instead of 11301.
    11302Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, trunk, arms, or legs; diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cmRepresents the next size increment for lesions larger than the 11301 range.
    11400Excision, benign lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; 0.5 cm or lessAn excision code used when full-thickness removal with closure is performed rather than a shave technique.
    11100Tangential biopsy of skin (e.g., shave, scoop), single lesionOften used interchangeably in some payer policies; documents tangential biopsy techniques similar to shave.
    11101Tangential biopsy, each additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)Used when multiple tangential biopsies/shave lesions are performed in the same session.
    17000Destruction (e.g., laser; electrosurgery, cryotherapy) of benign lesions, up to 14 lesionsMay be performed instead of shave excision for certain benign lesions when destruction rather than removal is chosen.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207N00000X
    207P00000X
    208000000X
    363L00000X
    208D00000X
    226000000X
    364SN0800X
    207VC0300X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    B07.9Viral wart, unspecified
    C44.509Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of other part of trunk
    C44.519Basal cell carcinoma of skin of other part of trunk
    C44.599Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of other part of trunk
    D22.9Melanocytic nevi, unspecified
    D23.5Other benign neoplasm of skin of trunk
    L08.9Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
    L13.9Bullous disorder, unspecified
    L21.9Seborrheic dermatitis, unspecified
    L29.9Pruritus, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    FilsuvezCigna2026-11-01
    Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin LesionsAnthem2026-10-01
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains)universityofutahhealthplans2026-09-28
    AnzupgoCigna2026-09-15
    Hyperhidrosispriority_health_medicare2026-09-01
    Zevaskyn Coverage for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaCigna2026-09-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-11300-EPIDERMAL-DERMAL-LESION-REMOVAL-05CM-OR-LESS-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 11300: Excision of Epidermal or Dermal Lesion ≤0.5 cm

    CPT-11302-SHAVE-EXCISION-LESION-1-1-TO-2-0-CM-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 11302: Shave Removal of Lesion 1.1–2.0 cm Trunk/Arms/Legs

    CPT-11303-SHAVE-EXCISION-SKIN-LESION-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS-GREATER-THAN-2CM

    CPT 11303: Shave Excision of Single Lesion >2.0 cm on Trunk or Limbs

    CPT-11305-SHAVE-EXCISION-EPIDERMAL-DERMAL-LESION-05CM-OR-LESS

    CPT 11305: Shave Removal of Single Skin Lesion 0.5 cm or Less

    CPT-11306-SKIN-LESION-SHAVE-EXCISION-0-6-TO-1-0-CM

    CPT 11306: Shave Excision of Single Epidermal or Dermal Lesion 0.6–1.0 cm

    CPT-11307-SHAVE-EXCISION-SKIN-LESION-1-1-TO-2-CM

    CPT 11307: Shaving of Single Epidermal or Dermal Lesion 1.1–2.0 cm

    CPT-11308-SHAVE-EXCISION-SINGLE-LESION-GREATER-THAN-2CM

    CPT 11308: Shave Excision of Single Skin Lesion >2.0 cm

    CPT-11310-LESION-SHAVE-FACE-EAR-EYELID-NOSE-LIP-MUCOUS-MEMBRANE

    CPT 11310: Excision of Epidermal/Dermal Lesion ≤0.5 cm, Face/Ears/Lips

    CPT-11311-SHAVE-EXCISION-SINGLE-LESION-FACE-0-6-1-0-CM

    CPT 11311: Shave Excision of Single Lesion, 0.6–1.0 cm

    CPT-11312-SHAVE-REMOVAL-LESION-FACE-1-1-TO-2-0-CM

    CPT 11312: Shave Excision of Single Epidermal or Dermal Lesion 1.1–2.0 cm

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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