Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 11402: Excision of Benign Skin Lesion, Trunk/Arms/Legs 1.1–2.0 cm
CPT code 11402 denotes the surgical excision of a benign (noncancerous) skin lesion, excluding skin tags, with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm including margins, located on the trunk, arms, or legs. This procedure code is commonly used by dermatology, general surgery, and primary care clinicians for definitive removal of benign cutaneous neoplasms. Nationally, accurate coding of excisions like 11402 affects procedural reporting, resource allocation, and claims adjudication for outpatient surgical services.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for use of 11402, comparisons with adjacent lesion-size codes, and what to expect in terms of typical site-of-service classification (office or ambulatory surgical setting). The publication outlines common billing considerations and coding context without providing clinical recommendations. It highlights how 11402 fits within the series of excision codes for benign lesions and what clinicians and billing staff should recognize about lesion size and anatomical site when selecting the correct code.
This national overview is intended for coding professionals, practice managers, and clinicians who manage outpatient surgical dermatologic procedures and seek clear guidance on the clinical meaning and billing context of CPT code 11402.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 11402 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 11402 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 11402 describes the excision of a benign (noncancerous) skin lesion, excluding skin tags, with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm measured including margins. The procedure involves surgical removal of the lesion and surrounding margins to ensure full excision.
-
Service type: Surgical excision of benign skin lesion
-
Typical site of service: Outpatient ambulatory surgery center or physician office on the trunk, arms, or legs
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial averages sit well above Medicare for CPT 11402: Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA show materially higher means than Medicare’s $177.10. BUCA’s mean is $502.80, reflecting an average commercial level roughly $325.70 above Medicare, while Blue Cross Blue Shield’s mean of $727.20 is about $550.10 higher than Medicare. Cigna ($230.10), UnitedHealth Group ($245.10) and Aetna ($135.50) occupy intermediate positions relative to these anchors.
Dispersion varies materially by payer when measured as the interquartile spread (P75–P25). Blue Cross Blue Shield is the widest with a spread of $266.60, followed by BUCA at $166.60 and UnitedHealth Group at $156.40. Aetna has a moderate spread of $109.60, while Cigna’s spread is $154.70. Medicare’s interquartile band is tight at $19.00, indicating much less variability across localities.