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CPT 11600: Excision of Malignant Skin Lesion ≤0.5 cm, Trunk/Arms/Legs
CPT code 11600 represents surgical excision of a malignant skin lesion 0.5 cm or less in diameter from the trunk, arms, or legs. This procedure is commonly performed in outpatient dermatology and ambulatory surgery settings to achieve oncologic margins for skin cancer removal. Nationally, accurate coding of such minor excisions affects clinical documentation, quality reporting, and appropriate payer adjudication for skin cancer care.
Primary payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of how 11600 is used in clinical practice, typical sites of service, and the implications for billing and claims processing. The publication summarizes benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns, highlights common coding adjacencies and related procedure considerations, and outlines clinical context for lesion size, location, and intent of excision.
This resource is intended for billing professionals, clinicians, and policy analysts seeking a concise reference on the clinical meaning of CPT code 11600, payer coverage landscape, and the operational considerations that influence claims and quality measurement for minor malignant skin excisions.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 11600 describes the surgical excision of a malignant skin lesion, including margins, measuring 0.5 cm or less in diameter, located on the trunk, arms, or legs. This service is a minor surgical procedure performed to remove skin cancer and achieve clear margins.
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Service type: Surgical excision of malignant lesion (skin)
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Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic or ambulatory surgical setting, including dermatology or general surgery procedure rooms
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare’s national mean of $205.50 sits well below BUCA’s average commercial mean of $722.80, indicating a substantial gap between CMS payments and this commercial benchmark. That gap reflects typical payer stratification: Medicare clusters near the lower end of the commercial spectrum while BUCA represents higher commercial reimbursement levels, with UnitedHealth Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield showing mean rates closer to BUCA than to Medicare.
Dispersion measured as P75–P25 highlights which payers are most and least variable. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the widest interquartile spread at $665.30 ($1,389.20 − $746.90), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $180.90 ($352.00 − $172.10). The tightest spreads are Aetna at $111.80 ($156.10 − $43.00) and Cigna at $164.10 ($322.70 − $157.60). BUCA’s IQR is $412.50 ($912.50 − $480.00), indicating substantial commercial variability but less than BCBS.