Summary & Overview
CPT 17107: Cutaneous Vascular Lesion Destruction, 10–50 cm2
CPT code 17107 represents laser or other nonincisional destruction of a cutaneous vascular proliferative lesion measuring 10.0 cm2 to 50.0 cm2. This code captures a common dermatologic, bloodless surgical approach for treating vascular lesions such as port-wine stains, hemangiomas, or telangiectatic proliferations when the affected area falls within the specified size range. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for consistent clinical documentation, appropriate billing, and aggregated tracking of procedural volume for dermatologic laser services.
Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, common modifiers used with this service, and how payers commonly categorize and reimburse laser-based cutaneous vascular destruction. The publication also summarizes benchmarking considerations and coding nuances related to lesion size thresholds and service reporting.
This briefing is intended to orient clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts to the clinical definition and billing context of CPT code 17107, and to highlight the areas where payers and providers commonly focus reconciliation and policy review.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 17107 describes cutaneous vascular destruction for a cutaneous vascular proliferative lesion with an area of 10.0 cm2 to 50.0 cm2. The procedure is typically performed using a laser modality (for example, Argon, pulsed dye, or YAG) and is a bloodless, nonincisional surgical technique that destroys abnormal vascular tissue in the skin.
Service type: Laser-based cutaneous vascular lesion destruction
Typical site of service: Outpatient dermatology clinic or ambulatory surgery center, where laser-based dermatologic procedures are commonly performed.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 32-year-old patient presents to a dermatology clinic with a symptomatic congenital capillary malformation (port-wine stain) covering a 20 cm2 area on the malar cheek. Prior topical and camouflage measures were ineffective and the lesion causes persistent bleeding with minor trauma and psychosocial distress. After clinical evaluation and informed consent, the patient is scheduled for cutaneous vascular lesion destruction using a pulsed-dye laser under local anesthesia. The typical workflow: pre-procedure photography and consent, review of medical history and medications, topical or local injectable anesthesia, eye protection applied, laser parameters selected and test spot performed, staged laser application across the 20 cm2 area with cooling between passes, post-procedure cooling and dressing, discharge instructions for wound care and sun protection, and scheduling of follow-up for outcome assessment and possible additional treatments.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Professional component | When reporting only the professional component separate from the technical component (rare for laser procedures billed by facility/OP) |
22 | Increased procedural services | When work required is substantially greater than typical (extensive lesion complexity or multiple anatomic areas) |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | When substantial anesthesia is required but not normally used for the procedure (e.g., deeper sedation) |
26 | Professional component | When reporting the physician’s professional interpretation/management separate from the technical component |
52 | Reduced services | When the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned |
53 | Discontinued procedure | When the procedure is started but then terminated due to unforeseen complications |
59 | Distinct procedural service | When another procedure performed at a separate anatomic site or session is not typically bundled (use to indicate distinct laser treatment area) |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | For repeated laser treatment during the same session or same-day repeat attempt |
77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | For repeat procedure performed by a different physician on the same day |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room for a related procedure during the postoperative period | For revision or immediate return to treat a complication related to the initial laser procedure |
79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period | For unrelated procedures performed during the postoperative period |
LT | Left side | When the procedure is performed on the left anatomical side |
RT | Right side | When the procedure is performed on the right anatomical side |
QY | Surgical care only | When only the surgical portion is billed by the physician and another entity provides pre/post care |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207P00000X | Dermatology | Most common specialty performing cutaneous vascular laser destruction |
| 207K00000X | Dermatopathology | Consultation for diagnosis or histologic evaluation when biopsy considered |
| 2084P0800X | Plastic Surgery | Management of aesthetic or reconstructive vascular lesions, sometimes performs laser procedures |
| 363LP0800X | Family Medicine | In some settings, family physicians with procedural dermatology training perform laser treatments |
| 207L00000X | Pediatric Dermatology | For vascular lesions in children and infants requiring specialized care |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
Q82.5 | Port-wine stain | Classic indication for cutaneous vascular laser destruction to reduce discoloration and bleeding risk |
I78.0 | Hemangioma, any site | Vascular proliferative lesion often treated with laser when superficial and symptomatic |
D18.0 | Hemangioma of skin and subcutaneous tissue | Common benign vascular tumor amenable to laser ablation when cutaneous and symptomatic |
L98.0 | Pyogenic granuloma | Small vascular proliferative lesion that may be managed with destructive modalities including laser |
L98.89 | Other specified disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue | Used for atypical or unspecified vascular proliferative lesions when more specific code not available |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
17110 | Destruction of benign lesion(s) other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions | May be performed for smaller or non-vascular benign lesions; used when lesion types differ or multiple small lesions are treated in the same session |
17111 | Destruction of benign lesions; 15 or more lesions | Used when numerous small benign lesions are destroyed during the same encounter, distinct from a single large vascular area billed with 17107 |
17000 | Destruction of premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses), first lesion | Performed when premalignant lesions are present in the treatment field and require separate destruction coding |
99213 | Office or other outpatient visit, established patient, low to moderate complexity | Typical evaluation and management code for pre-procedure assessment and follow-up visits in the outpatient setting |
17250 | Destruction, pre-malignant lesion (e.g., actinic keratosis), single lesion; chemical or electrosurgical | Alternative modality for lesion destruction when laser is not used; may be performed in the same clinical workflow |