CPT 17111: Destruction of Benign Skin Lesions, 15 or More
CPT code 17111 reports the destruction of 15 or more benign skin lesions using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods. It is a commonly used dermatologic procedural code that standardizes billing for high-volume lesion destruction in outpatient and ambulatory settings. Nationally, accurate use of this code affects provider reimbursement, billing compliance, and aggregated utilization measures for dermatologic procedural care.
Key payers considered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for CPT code 17111, typical sites of service, common billing considerations, and benchmarking perspectives across major payers. The publication outlines how the code is structured, factors that influence coding choices (such as lesion count and lesion type exclusions), and where this service fits within dermatology procedural lines.
This summary equips readers with the clinical and billing context needed to interpret benchmarks, review policy or coverage updates, and understand where CPT code 17111 applies in practice. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable in detailed sections.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 17111 describes the destruction of benign skin lesions using chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive techniques, reporting the service when 15 lesions or more are destroyed. This procedure applies to benign cutaneous lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions.
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Service type: Minor dermatologic surgical procedures for lesion destruction
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Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic or office-based dermatology practice; may also be performed in ambulatory surgical centers when clinically indicated
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.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of procedure | Use when a distinct evaluation and management visit is performed and documented in addition to the procedure on the same day. |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when the destruction is performed bilaterally and payer requires a bilateral modifier for this CPT. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure or service not normally reported together. |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the procedure. |
76 | Data not available in the input. | |
RT | Right side | Use when identifying laterality for payers that require right-side designator. |
LT | Left side | Use when identifying laterality for payers that require left-side designator. |
GA | Waiver of liability statement on file (Medicare) | Use when the patient has signed an Advance Beneficiary Notice and the modifier is required by payer. |
GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | Use when no ABN is on file and service is not expected to meet medical necessity per payer. |
52 | Reduced services | Use to indicate services were partially reduced or not completed. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207N00000X | Dermatology | Dermatologists commonly perform lesion destruction with cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or chemical methods. |
| 208000000X | Family Medicine | Family physicians may perform lesion destruction in office settings for benign lesions. |
| 207P00000X | Dermatopathology | Dermatopathologists occasionally perform procedures but primarily provide diagnostic support; included for multidisciplinary care. |
| 163W00000X | General Practice | General practitioners in outpatient clinics may perform minor lesion destructions. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
L82.0 | Seborrheic keratosis | Common benign epidermal lesion frequently treated with destructive methods when symptomatic or for cosmetic reasons. |
B07.9 | Viral wart, unspecified | Viral warts are benign lesions often treated with cryosurgery or chemical destruction when multiple or symptomatic. |
D23.9 | Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin, unspecified | When lesions are clinically benign or uncertain but managed with destruction after evaluation or biopsy. |
L91.8 | Other hypertrophic disorders of skin | Includes benign proliferative lesions that may be treated with destructive techniques when symptomatic. |
L85.8 | Other specified keratoderma | Selected hyperkeratotic benign lesions sometimes treated with destructive methods for symptom relief or cosmesis. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
17000 | Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), first lesion | Performed when only a small number of lesions are treated; not used if 15 or more lesions are destroyed and 17111 applies. |
17003 | Destruction, 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. |
11100 | Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (e.g., shave, punch, excision), single lesion | Performed prior to destruction when diagnosis is uncertain and tissue diagnosis is required. |
11721 | Debridement of nail(s) for fungal disease (partial or complete) | Performed when concomitant nail procedures are needed; distinct from cutaneous lesion destruction. |
99070 | Supplies and materials (non-covered) | Used to report supplies not included in the procedure payment when allowed by payer policies. |