Summary & Overview
CPT 11307: Shave Excision of Single Skin Lesion 1.1–2.0 cm
CPT code 11307 represents a superficial shave excision of a single epidermal or dermal skin lesion measuring 1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter. This procedure is commonly used for removal of benign or suspicious cutaneous lesions on areas such as the scalp, neck, hands, feet, and genitals. Nationally, accurate coding of shave excisions matters for clinical documentation, procedural tracking, and alignment of reimbursement with the level and complexity of skin procedures.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and the typical sites of service for CPT code 11307, a summary of common modifiers reported with skin procedures (input provided), and guidance on how this code fits into procedure groupings. The publication covers benchmarking and coverage considerations at a national level, highlights reporting conventions that affect claims processing, and outlines what data are available and what is not provided in the source input.
This summary is intended for clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts who need a clear, national-level description of the procedure represented by CPT code 11307, its clinical setting, and the payer landscape relevant to procedural dermatologic billing.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 11307 describes the surgical removal by shaving of a single epidermal or dermal lesion measuring 1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter. The procedure involves superficial removal of the lesion down to the dermis and is commonly performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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Service type: Superficial shave excision of a single skin lesion
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Typical site of service: Scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old male presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic with a 1.5 cm raised, symptomatic seborrheic keratosis on the dorsal hand that has been intermittently catching on clothing and occasionally bleeds. The patient is evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist. After history and focused skin exam, the physician documents that the lesion is confined to the epidermis/dermis, measures approximately 1.5 cm in greatest diameter, and that a simple in-office procedure is appropriate. The clinical workflow includes informed consent, antiseptic skin preparation, local anesthesia with a small-volume infiltration, and a tangential shave excision of the lesion using a scalpel or dermatologic blade. Hemostasis is achieved with electrocautery or chemical cautery as needed; the specimen may be sent to pathology if clinically indicated. Post-procedure instructions and wound care are provided, and a follow-up visit is scheduled as clinically appropriate.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure | Use when a distinct E/M visit is performed and documented on the same date as the shave procedure. |
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when multiple procedures are performed during the same encounter; report primary procedure first, then add-on with modifier 51 as required by payer. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure was partially reduced or eliminated at the physician’s discretion. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure is started but discontinued and cannot be completed for documented reasons. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a procedure or service that is distinct or independent from other non-E/M procedures performed on the same day. |
26 | Professional component | Use when only the professional component of a service is reported (rare for simple in-office shaves). |
TC | Technical component | Use to report the technical component only (rare for in-office shaves). |
RT | Right side | Use to identify the right side of the body when laterality is required by payer. |
LT | Left side | Use to identify the left side of the body when laterality is required by payer. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when services are distinct and not part of the same surgical episode (duplicate entry avoided; listed once in table for emphasis). |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207Y00000X | Dermatology | Most common specialty performing skin lesion shave procedures. |
| 208000000X | General Practice / Family Medicine | Primary care clinicians may perform shave excisions in office settings. |
| 207L00000X | Surgery (General) | General surgeons in outpatient settings may remove cutaneous lesions. |
| 208100000X | Internal Medicine | Some internists perform minor skin procedures in clinic. |
| 103K00000X | Emergency Medicine | Emergency physicians may perform urgent shave excisions for bleeding or symptomatic lesions. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
L82.1 | Seborrheic keratosis | Common benign epidermal lesion often removed for symptomatic or cosmetic reasons via shave excision. |
L57.0 | Actinic keratosis | Premalignant epidermal lesion that may be treated by destruction or removed for diagnosis; shave may be used for diagnostic sampling. |
D22.9 | Melanocytic nevus, unspecified | Benign pigmented lesion; shave excision may be used for diagnostic removal when superficial. |
C44.9 | Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin | Suspicious or malignant lesions may be sampled or partially removed by shave techniques for diagnosis; note that margins and definitive excision planning differ. |
L98.0 | Pyogenic granuloma | Vascular lesion that may be shaved for hemostasis and symptom relief. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
11300 | Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, diameter 0.5 cm or less | Used for smaller lesions; select appropriate size-based shave code. |
11301 | Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm | Used when lesion size falls within this smaller size range. |
11308 | Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm | Used for larger lesions beyond the 11307 size range. |
11102 | Tangential biopsy of skin, single lesion (usually a shave biopsy) | Alternative coding when the procedure is performed as a diagnostic tangential biopsy rather than an excisional shave. |
17000 | Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery), malignant or premalignant lesion; first lesion | May be performed instead of or in addition to removal when lesion is treated by destruction methods. |