Summary & Overview

CPT 11303: Shave Excision of Single Skin Lesion >2.0 cm

CPT code 11303 denotes the shave excision of a single epidermal or dermal lesion larger than 2.0 cm on the trunk, arms, or legs. This procedural code is used across outpatient dermatology and surgical settings for removal of benign-appearing or diagnostically uncertain lesions when a tangential shave technique is appropriate. Nationally, accurate coding for procedures like 11303 matters for clinical documentation, care pathways, and consistent claims processing given volume of skin lesion removals performed in ambulatory settings.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find context on the clinical application of the code, the typical site of service and service type, and which payers commonly adjudicate claims for this procedure. The publication outlines benchmark considerations and common billing practices, highlights any recent policy updates affecting shave excisions when available, and provides clinical context for appropriate use of 11303 versus alternative excisional or destruction codes. Data not included in the input — such as payer-specific coverage rules, reimbursement rates, and associated ICD-10 diagnosis mappings — are noted as not available in the input.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 11303skin lesionshave excisiondermatologyoutpatient surgeryprocedure codingminor surgical procedure

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 11303 describes the shave removal of a single epidermal or dermal lesion greater than 2.0 cm in diameter from the skin of the trunk, arms, or legs. This procedure typically involves tangential excision (shave) of a skin lesion performed by a clinician trained in minor surgical dermatologic techniques.

Service Type: Shave excision of skin lesion

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient clinic or ambulatory surgical center, commonly performed in dermatology or general surgery offices for lesions located on the trunk, arms, or legs.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old patient presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic with a single raised pigmented lesion on the lateral thigh that measures approximately 2.5 cm in greatest diameter. The provider performs a focused history and skin examination, documents lesion size, morphology, and consent for a procedure. After preparing the site with antiseptic and local anesthesia (e.g., 1% lidocaine with epinephrine), the clinician performs a shave excision of the lesion down to the dermal plane and controls hemostasis with electrocautery. The specimen is labeled and submitted for pathology when malignancy is suspected. Procedure details, including lesion location (trunk, arms, or legs), measured diameter (>2.0 cm), anesthesia used, complications (if any), and disposition are documented in the medical record. Typical sites of service are outpatient dermatology clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or physician office. Usual workflow includes preprocedure assessment, informed consent, local anesthesia, shave excision, hemostasis, specimen handling if indicated, and postprocedure instructions and follow-up.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician’s professional work separate from technical facility component (rare for office procedures billed globally).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207P00000X`	Dermatology	Dermatologists commonly perform shave excisions for cutaneous lesions.
`207L00000X`	Dermatopathology	Dermatopathologists interpret submitted specimens; typically a consulting specialty.
`363L00000X`	General Surgery	General surgeons may perform larger skin lesion excisions on trunk or extremities.
`207K00000X`	Mohs Surgery	Mohs surgeons may perform excisions when malignancy or margin control is necessary.

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`L57.0`	Actinic keratosis	Common premalignant lesion that may be treated or sampled by shave technique when raised.
`D22.9`	Melanocytic nevi, unspecified	Benign pigmented lesions often removed for diagnostic or cosmetic reasons with shave or excisional techniques.
`D23.9`	Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified	General category for benign skin growths that may be shaved for diagnosis or symptoms.
`C43.9`	Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified	Suspicious pigmented lesions that may require biopsy; shave is less commonly definitive for melanoma but may be used for sampling in select cases.
`C44.9`	Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin	Suspected non-melanoma skin cancers may require further excision following diagnostic shave.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11102`	Tangential biopsy of skin (single lesion) - removal of lesion, single lesion shave technique typically 1.1 cm to 2.0 cm	Performed for diagnostic sampling of smaller lesions; used when lesion diameter is smaller than `11303` criteria or for initial biopsy.
`11302`	Shaving of single epidermal or dermal lesion, diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm, trunk, arms, or legs	Represents smaller size category; used when lesion size falls below `11303` threshold.
`11604`	Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms, or legs; 3.1 to 4.0 cm	Used when full-thickness excision with margins is required for confirmed or suspected skin cancer; may follow an initial shave when malignancy is diagnosed.
`11305`	Shaving of single epidermal or dermal lesion, diameter over 4.0 cm, trunk, arms, or legs	Larger size category for shave excisions; used when lesion exceeds `11303` size range.
`11100`	Biopsy of skin, single lesion (punch)	Alternative diagnostic technique performed prior to definitive excision or when sampling depth is required.

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