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CPT 17270: Destruction of Malignant Lesion ≤0.5 cm
CPT code 17270 covers destruction of a malignant skin lesion 0.5 cm or less in diameter on high-exposure or sensitive sites — scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia — using methods such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, or electrosurgery. The code standardizes reporting for a common, low‑complexity dermatologic procedure that impacts claims processing, quality measurement, and oncology procedural tracking nationwide.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, common sites of service, and how the code is used for billing small malignant lesion destructions. The publication also presents payer coverage considerations and comparative benchmarks where available, notes on typical service settings, and references to related procedural codes for situational context.
This summary is written for a national audience to support coding accuracy, payer communication, and operational planning for outpatient dermatologic and minor surgical services.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 17270 describes destruction of a malignant lesion measuring 0.5 cm or less in diameter on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. Techniques may include chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods.
Service Type: Lesion destruction (malignant), single small lesion
Typical Site of Service: Office, outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgical setting, or other outpatient procedure locations where minor dermatologic procedures are performed.