Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSurgical Procedures on the NailsCPT cpt-11720-surgical-nail-debridement-1-to-5-nails
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 11720: Surgical Debridement of 1 to 5 Nails

    Medicare pays $34 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 11720 describes the surgical debridement (debulking or removal) of 1 to 5 abnormal, diseased, or infected nails, typically performed as a minor surgical procedure on the fingers or toes in an office procedure room, ambulatory surgery center, or outpatient clinic; this code represents the service of removing nail tissue to treat pathology or infection and is used for coding the operative act of nail removal for up to five nails in a single encounter.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Lymphedema - Surgical Treatment - Medical Policy, Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty) Surgery, Mastectomy Treatment, Breast Reconstruction and Mastectomy Hospital Stays Mandates.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 11720 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 11720 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient dermatology or podiatry clinic with one or more chronically diseased, hypertrophic, or infected nails causing pain, recurrent paronychia, or interfering with footwear and ambulation. After history and focused exam including inspection of nails and periungual tissues, the provider determines that conservative treatments (topical antifungals, oral antifungals, nail trimming, or chemical matricectomy) are ineffective or contraindicated. The patient is consented for a minor surgical procedure: partial or complete surgical nail debridement/removal of one to five nails under local anesthesia. The workflow includes pre-procedure counseling, verification of allergies and anticoagulation status, digital nerve block or field block, sterile prep, removal or debulking of the abnormal nail plate(s), hemostasis, possible curettage of infected tissue, wound dressing, and post-procedure instructions. Procedure documentation includes the number of nails treated, laterality, anesthetic used, scope of debridement (partial vs complete), presence of infected material, any complications, and follow-up plans. Typical sites of service are office-based procedure rooms, outpatient ambulatory surgical centers, or in rare cases hospital outpatient departments for patients requiring monitored anesthesia or complex comorbidity management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    11720The provider surgically debrides (debulks or removes) 1 to 5 abnormal, diseased, or infected nails.Primary procedure for surgical nail debridement/removal.
    11721The provider surgically debrides (debulks or removes) 6 or more abnormal, diseased, or infected nails.Used when more than five nails require debridement; alternative code when scope exceeds 11720.
    11730Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; singleUsed for simple nail avulsion of a single nail; may be reported when procedure is limited to a single nail without extensive debridement.
    11732Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, complicatedUsed when nail removal is more complex, requiring removal of subungual debris or extensive curettage beyond a simple avulsion.
    64450Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerveUsed for digital nerve block anesthesia commonly performed prior to 11720.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit global (note: example of global period code)Used for routine postoperative follow-up during the global period when documented per payer policy (note: this is an administrative example).

    Related Modifiers

    9 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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0208X
    207P00000X
    208000000X
    332BD1200X
    202D00000X
    281P00000X
    2279P3900X
    261QR1100X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    B35.0Tinea barbae and tinea capitis
    B35.1Tinea unguium
    B35.2Tinea manuum
    B35.3Tinea pedis
    E10.621Type 1 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer
    E11.621Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer
    I73.9Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified
    I83.819Varicose veins of unspecified lower extremity with pain
    I83.90Asymptomatic varicose veins of unspecified lower extremity
    L03.115Cellulitis of right lower limb

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Lymphedema - Surgical Treatment - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty) SurgeryKaiser Permanente2027-02-01
    Mastectomy Treatment, Breast Reconstruction and Mastectomy Hospital Stays MandatesBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Lipodystrophy Syndrome - HIV Associated - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Abdominal Panniculectomy and Excision of Excessive Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Reduction MammaplastyBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2026-11-01
    Cosmetic and Reconstructive ProceduresAmbetter Georgia2026-11-01
    Surgical Treatment of Lipedema and Lymphedemahusky_health2026-11-01
    Rhinoplasty Medical Necessity and Site of ServicePremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Reconstructive Breast Surgery/Mastopexy, and Management of Breast ImplantsBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-11719-ROUTINE-NAIL-TRIMMING-FINGERS-TOES

    CPT 11719: Trimming of Normally Developed Fingernails or Toenails

    CPT-11721-SURGICAL-DEBRIDEMENT-SIX-OR-MORE-NAILS

    CPT 11721: Surgical Debridement of Six or More Nails

    CPT-11730-SINGLE-NAIL-PLATE-AVULSION

    CPT 11730: Simple Avulsion of Single Nail Plate

    CPT-11732-NAIL-PLATE-AVULSION-ADDITIONAL-NAIL

    CPT 11732: Additional Nail Plate Removal by Simple Avulsion

    CPT-11740-NAIL-HEMATOMA-EVACUATION-DRAINAGE

    CPT 11740: Evacuation of Nail Hematoma

    CPT-11750-NAIL-EXCISION-PLATE-AND-MATRIX

    CPT 11750: Excision of Nail Plate and Matrix

    CPT-11755-NAIL-UNIT-BIOPSY

    CPT 11755: Biopsy of Nail Plate, Bed, or Folds

    CPT-11760-NAIL-BED-REPAIR

    CPT 11760: Repair of Nail Bed

    CPT-11762-NAIL-BED-REPAIR-WITH-GRAFT

    CPT 11762: Nail Bed Repair with Graft

    CPT-11765-WEDGE-EXCISION-NAIL-FOLD-INGROWN-TOENAIL

    CPT 11765: Wedge Excision of Nail Fold at Lateral Margin

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.