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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDestruction Procedures on Benign or Premalignant Lesions of the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-17000-destruction-first-premalignant-lesion
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    CPT 17000: Destruction of First or Only Premalignant Lesion

    Medicare pays $69 and commercial payers pay $136 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 17000 reports destruction of the first or only premalignant skin lesion (for example, actinic keratosis) using methods such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or similar techniques; this is a dermatologic procedural service typically performed in an outpatient clinic or office setting to remove a single lesion for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products, Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days.

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    National averages show a clear split between Medicare and commercial BUCA pricing for CPT 17000: Medicare’s mean is $68.90 while BUCA’s mean is $135.60, indicating BUCA reimburses about $66.70 more on average than Medicare for this service. That gap highlights how commercial contracts can sit notably above the Medicare baseline even when Medicare’s central tendency (median $68) is tight around its mean.

    Dispersion analysis using the interquartile range (P75 minus P25) highlights variability across payers. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the widest IQR at $83.40 ($205.80−$137.40), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $62.50 ($128.70−$66.20) and Cigna at $66.10 ($132.60−$64.90). Aetna has a narrower spread of $39.80 ($77.80−$39.80), making it one of the tighter distributions in this set.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient presents to a dermatology clinic with a rough, scaly patch on the dorsal surface of the left hand that developed over several months. The dermatologist examines the lesion and documents features consistent with a premalignant actinic keratosis. After discussion of risks and benefits, the provider performs in-office destruction of the lesion using cryosurgery. The encounter includes focused evaluation of the lesion, informed consent, procedural time for the destruction technique, post-procedure wound care instructions, and documentation of the lesion count (single lesion). The procedure is reported with 17000 for the first or only premalignant lesion. Typical workflow steps include diagnosis and lesion mapping, photographic or dermatoscopic documentation as indicated, administration of topical or local anesthesia if necessary, the destruction procedure (cryotherapy, electrosurgery, chemosurgery, or similar), brief hemostasis and dressing, and discharge with aftercare instructions and follow-up as needed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    17003Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), all benign or premalignant lesions; second through 14 lesions, eachBilled in addition to 17000 for the second through 14th lesions when multiple premalignant lesions are destroyed during the same session.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    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…
    207ND0101XMOHS-Micrographic Surgery PhysicianThe highly-trained surgeons that perform Mohs Micrographic Surgery are specialists both in dermatology and pathology. With their extensive knowledge o…
    207NS0135XProcedural Dermatology PhysicianProcedural Dermatology, a subspecialty of Dermatology, encompassing a wide variety of surgical procedures and methods to remove or modify skin tissue …
    2082S0099XPlastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck (Plastic Surgery) PhysicianA plastic surgeon with additional training in plastic and reconstructive procedures within the head, face, neck and associated structures, including c…
    2083T0002XMedical Toxicology (Preventive Medicine) PhysicianMedical toxicologists are physicians who specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of injury and illness from exposures to dr…
    163WF0300XFlight Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    126900000XDental Laboratory TechnicianAn individual who has the skill and knowledge in the fabrication of dental appliances, prostheses and devices in accordance with a dentist's laborator…
    103TP2700XDeactivated - Psychologist Psychotherapy

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A60.9Anogenital herpesviral infection, unspecified
    A63.0Anogenital (venereal) warts
    B07.9Viral wart, unspecified
    B08.1Molluscum contagiosum
    C44.01Basal cell carcinoma of skin of lip
    C44.611Basal cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder
    C44.91Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
    C44.92Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
    D03.9Melanoma in situ, unspecified
    D04.10Carcinoma in situ of skin of unspecified eyelid, including canthus

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid ProductsCigna2026-08-15
    Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per DaysCigna2026-08-15
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medicationsharvard pilgrim health care2026-08-11
    Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical AcneCigna2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-17003-DESTRUCTION-PREMALIGNANT-LESIONS-ADD-ON-2-14-LESIONS

    CPT 17003: Destruction of Premalignant Lesion (Add‑On, Lesions 2–14)

    CPT-17004-DESTRUCTION-15-OR-MORE-PREMALIGNANT-LESIONS

    CPT 17004: Destruction of 15+ Premalignant Lesions

    CPT-17106-LASER-DESTRUCTION-CUTANEOUS-VASCULAR-LESION-LESS-THAN-10CM2

    CPT 17106: Cutaneous Vascular Lesion Destruction (<10 cm2)

    CPT-17107-CUTANEOUS-VASCULAR-LESION-DESTRUCTION-10-50-CM2

    CPT 17107: Cutaneous Vascular Lesion Destruction 10.0–50.0 cm2

    CPT-17108-CUTANEOUS-VASCULAR-DESTRUCTION-GREATER-THAN-50CM2

    CPT 17108: Cutaneous Vascular Lesion Destruction >50 cm2

    CPT-17110-DESTRUCTION-BENIGN-CUTANEOUS-LESIONS-1-TO-14

    CPT 17110: Destruction of 1–14 Benign Skin Lesions

    CPT-17111-DESTRUCTION-BENIGN-SKIN-LESIONS-15-OR-MORE

    CPT 17111: Destruction of 15 or More Benign Skin Lesions

    CPT-17250-CHEMICAL-CAUTERIZATION-GRANULATION-TISSUE

    CPT 17250: Chemical Cauterization of Granulation Tissue

    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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    17004Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), all benign or premalignant lesions; 15 or more lesionsUsed when 15 or more premalignant lesions are destroyed in the same session; replaces multiple 17003 units per payer policy.