Summary & Overview

CPT 15787: Dermal Resurfacing, Removal of 1–4 Additional Lesions

CPT code 15787 covers the removal of one to four additional superficial skin lesions by light sanding (dermal resurfacing) performed after an initial lesion has been treated. The code captures an add-on procedural element commonly used in dermatology and ambulatory surgical settings when multiple minor surface lesions or scars require treatment during the same visit. Nationally, this code matters because it standardizes reporting for limited additional lesion resurfacing, which affects clinical documentation, coding consistency, and payment for dermatologic procedures.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for when 15787 is used, typical sites of service, and which payers are relevant for coverage considerations. The publication provides benchmarks and coding guidance context, highlights common modifiers associated with procedural reporting, and summarizes policy-relevant points that influence adjudication and billing practices. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare15787CPTdermatologylesion-removaldermal-resurfacingambulatory-surgeryprocedure-codingoutpatient-procedures

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 15787 describes a dermatologic procedure in which the provider removes one to four additional superficial lesions (such as scars or benign abnormal growths) by lightly sanding the surface of the skin with a specialized tool after removing an initial lesion. This is a skin lesion resurfacing technique performed to address multiple residual surface lesions during the same encounter.

Service type: Dermatologic lesion removal by superficial abrasion (dermal resurfacing of one to four additional lesions)
Typical site of service: Outpatient dermatology clinic or ambulatory surgical center; may also be performed in office-based procedural settings where minor skin procedures are done.

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, or service line.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient dermatology or minor procedure clinic with multiple benign skin lesions (for example, small scars, benign epidermal tags, or superficial keratoses) following an initial lesion removal earlier in the same encounter. After the primary lesion is excised or treated, the provider performs light dermabrasion of one to four additional nearby lesions using a specialized sanding device to smooth the skin surface and improve cosmesis. The workflow includes pre-procedure consent and local anesthesia, procedural documentation of the primary lesion removal and subsequent dermabrasion sites, procedural time and technique, hemostasis, dressing application, and post-procedure care instructions. Typical sites of service are ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient hospital departments, and office-based procedure suites staffed by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or qualified proceduralists. Billing reflects the primary lesion procedure followed by 15787 for the additional light dermabrasion of one to four lesions.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the work or complexity of `15787` is substantially greater than typical and well-documented.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia or MAC is medically necessary for `15787` and documented as unusual for the procedure.
`26`	Professional component	Use if billing separate professional component when applicable (rare for this global skin procedure).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when `15787` is performed on both sides of the body and payer requires bilateral modifier.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when `15787` was partially reduced or not completed as planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when `15787` is started but stopped due to patient or clinical reasons.
`54`	Surgical care only	Use when another provider bills pre-/post-op care separately from intra-op services for `15787`.
`55`	Postoperative management only	Use when another provider performed the procedure and the current provider only does post-op care.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties share operative responsibilities for `15787`.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team performs `15787` and team reporting is allowed by payer.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an additional unrelated procedure is performed during the global period of a previous procedure.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when `15787` is repeated subsequent to the initial performance on the same day or later, if clinically indicated.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when another physician repeats `15787` on the same patient.
`RT`	Right side	Use when `15787` is performed on the right side and payer requires laterality reporting.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Dermatology	Most common specialty performing skin lesion removal and dermabrasion.
208C00000X	Plastic Surgery	Frequently performs dermabrasion for cosmetic scar revision.
2080P0004X	General Surgery	May perform skin lesion procedures in minor OR or office settings.
363L00000X	Dermatopathology	Involved when lesion biopsies require histopathology coordination (consultative).

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`L91.8`	Other hypertrophic disorders of skin	Dermabrasion `15787` may be performed to smooth hypertrophic scars or irregular scar tissue.
`L91.0`	Hypertrophic scarring	Direct indication for scar revision with dermabrasion to improve contour and texture.
`L57.0`	Actinic keratosis	Adjunctive superficial procedures may be performed; small residual lesions might be smoothed with `15787`.
`L85.3`	Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin	General scar-related diagnosis where dermabrasion could be used to improve appearance.
`D22.9`	Melanocytic nevus, unspecified	Benign pigmented lesions sometimes excised or abraded for cosmetic reasons; related lesions may receive light dermabrasion.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11600`	Excision, benign lesion including margins, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less	May represent the primary lesion excision performed before adjunctive dermabrasion coded as `15787`.
`11400`	Excision, benign lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less	Common primary excision code when lesions are on the face prior to performing `15787` on additional small lesions for cosmesis.
`12001`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.5 cm or less	May be billed for closure of excision sites that accompany the procedures where `15787` is used for adjacent lesion smoothing.
`17000`	Destruction (e.g., laser, electrosurgery, cryotherapy) of premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses); first lesion	Performed for lesion destruction; `15787` may be used in the same session for light dermabrasion of other lesions.
`17380`	Chemical or mechanical exfoliation (e.g., microdermabrasion) face, single treatment	Related resurfacing service; distinguishes microdermabrasion treatments from the focal sanding of individual lesions reported with `15787`.

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