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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDestruction Procedures on Benign or Premalignant Lesions of the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-17111-destruction-benign-skin-lesions-15-or-more
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    CPT 17111: Destruction of 15 or More Benign Skin Lesions

    Medicare pays $135 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 17111 reports destruction of 15 or more benign skin lesions (excluding skin tags and cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions) using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods; service type: lesion destruction (dermatologic procedure); typical site of service: outpatient dermatology clinic, office, or ambulatory surgical center where minor skin procedures are performed.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient dermatology clinic with multiple benign cutaneous lesions such as seborrheic keratoses, benign nevi, or viral warts. The dermatologist or proceduralist documents a clinical evaluation, confirms benign appearance or prior biopsy, counsels the patient regarding options, and obtains consent for lesion destruction. On the day of service the provider prepares the treatment area in a procedure room or minor procedure suite, uses local anesthesia as clinically indicated, and performs destruction by cryosurgery, electrosurgery, chemical cauterization, or curettage with electrosurgery for 15 or more discrete benign lesions (excluding skin tags and cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions). The workflow includes lesion counting and documentation, procedure note describing technique(s), anesthesia, complications or adverse effects, and post-procedure care instructions. Typical site of service is an outpatient dermatology clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or physician office procedure room. Typical patient scenario: a 62-year-old patient with numerous seborrheic keratoses across the trunk and extremities elects removal of 20 symptomatic lesions using cryosurgery in the dermatology clinic under local anesthesia; the provider documents lesion count, method, and immediate tolerance of the procedure.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    17000Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), first lesionPerformed when only a small number of lesions are treated; not used if 15 or more lesions are destroyed and 17111 applies.
    17003Destruction, each additional 10 lesions (use with primary code as appropriate)Used to report additional groups of lesions when payer policy requires incremental reporting for multiple lesions; often used with primary lesion destruction codes when coding ranges apply.
    11100Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (e.g., shave, punch, excision), single lesionPerformed prior to destruction when diagnosis is uncertain and tissue diagnosis is required.
    11721Debridement of nail(s) for fungal disease (partial or complete)Performed when concomitant nail procedures are needed; distinct from cutaneous lesion destruction.
    99070Supplies and materials (non-covered)Used to report supplies not included in the procedure payment when allowed by payer policies.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…

    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…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    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…
    208800000XUrology PhysicianA urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
    261QS1000XStudent Health Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    156FX1700XOcularistAn ocularist is a thoroughly trained professional skilled in the art of fitting, painting, and fabricating custom ocular prostheses. In addition to cr…
    273100000XEpilepsy Hospital UnitAn Epilepsy Unit is a distinct unit of a hospital that provides services that may include observation, urgent care, diagnostic testing, treatment, and…

    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-17000-DESTRUCTION-FIRST-PREMALIGNANT-LESION

    CPT 17000: Destruction of First or Only Premalignant Lesion

    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-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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