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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesCPT cpt-16021-chemical-cauterization-open-wound-granulation
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    CPT 16021: Skin Lesion Excision, Moderate Depth

    CPT code 16021 describes surgical excision of a skin lesion with preparation and/or closure when the lesion is on the trunk, arms, or legs and the procedure involves removal of tissue at a moderate depth; the service is a surgical skin excision typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center or office-based procedure setting and involves local anesthesia and layered wound closure as indicated by the lesion depth and size.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to a dermatologist or primary care clinic with multiple cutaneous warts, molluscum contagiosum lesions, or localized benign skin lesions for which chemical or cryotherapeutic destruction is indicated. The clinician evaluates lesion size, number, and anatomic location, documents consent, and performs the procedure in an outpatient clinic, office, or ambulatory surgical center. For 16021, which is an application of chemical cauterant (eg, cantharidin, podophyllin, or salicylic acid) or cryotherapy for treatment of multiple small lesions, the workflow includes lesion assessment, cleansing of the area, application of the destructive agent to the mapped lesions (typically more than 14 lesions or as defined by the code descriptor), post-procedure instructions, and documentation of the number of lesions treated, agent used, technique, and immediate response. Typical site of service is an outpatient office or clinic; typical service type is minor procedural dermatologic therapy under local topical or no anesthesia.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    17000Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), first wart, molluscum, or lesionOften used for single lesion destruction; billed when treating an initial or solitary lesion.
    17003Destruction, periungual or subungual lesion(s); first lesionUsed when lesions involve periungual areas that require specialized technique.
    17004Destruction, each additional 10 lesions or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)Used to report additional lesion groups beyond the primary code when many lesions are treated.
    11055Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus), single lesionPerformed for hyperkeratotic lesions prior to or instead of chemical destruction.
    11730Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; singlePerformed if a lesion involves or requires nail plate removal before lesion treatment.

    Related Modifiers

    10 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.,…
    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…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    57CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207N00000XDermatology PhysicianA dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genital…
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    163W00000XRegistered Nurse(1) A registered nurse is a person qualified by graduation from an accredited nursing school (depending upon schooling, a registered nurse may receive…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    261QD0000XDental Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    286500000XMilitary HospitalA health care facility operated by the Department of Defense.
    164W00000XLicensed Practical NurseAn individual with post-high school vocational training and practical experience in the provision of nursing care at a level less than that required f…

    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.
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