Summary & Overview

CPT 17281: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Face or Mucous Membrane

CPT code 17281 designates destruction of a malignant lesion on sensitive facial or mucous membrane sites when the lesion measures 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm in diameter. This procedural code is important nationally because it captures a common dermatologic intervention for small malignant lesions in cosmetically and functionally significant areas, where technique choice and site of service can affect clinical outcomes and costs. Major national payers commonly referenced in coverage and claims discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for use of the code, how payers typically classify and cover this service, and benchmark-oriented information such as typical sites of service and service type. The publication also outlines common modifiers and coding practice considerations, payer coverage patterns, and related billing guidance where available. Data not provided in the input—such as associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 pairings, and detailed payer reimbursement rates—is noted as unavailable. This summary is intended for clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking a national-level reference for CPT code 17281.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare17281CPTdermatologylesion-destructioncryosurgeryelectrosurgerychemosurgeryoutpatient-procedure

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 17281 describes destruction of a malignant lesion measuring 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm in diameter located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane. Techniques listed in the description include chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods.

Service type: Destruction of malignant skin or mucous membrane lesion using destructive techniques
Typical site of service: Office-based dermatology procedural suite, outpatient clinic, or ambulatory surgical setting on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old patient presents to a dermatology clinic with a biopsy-proven malignant skin lesion on the lateral nose measuring approximately 0.8 cm in greatest diameter. The provider reviews prior pathology confirming a basal cell carcinoma, documents lesion size, location on the face, informed consent, and treatment options. The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure vital signs and medication reconciliation, local anesthetic administration, lesion destruction using cryosurgery or electrosurgery, hemostasis, and application of topical antibiotic and dressing. The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgical center or office-based dermatology setting under local anesthesia. Post-procedure instructions and follow-up for wound care and surveillance are documented. Billing uses 17281 to report destruction of a single malignant lesion on the face between 0.6 cm and 1.0 cm in diameter, with anatomic site, lesion size, and technique documented in the record.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure	Use if a distinct E/M visit was performed on the same day as `17281` (Note: `25` was not listed in input modifiers; per strict rules, only provided modifiers may be used.)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`17000`	Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), first lesion	Performed for benign lesions or when billing multiple superficial lesion destructions; not for malignant lesions billed with `17281`.
`11720`	Debridement of nail(s) by partial or complete surgical removal, simple; single	May be unrelated; occasionally used when concurrent nail procedures are performed in the same session if documented.
`11102`	Tangential biopsy of skin (shave), single lesion	Performed prior to definitive destructive therapy to obtain tissue diagnosis supporting use of `17281`.
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit, included in global period	Used to indicate routine follow-up care is included in global surgical billing when applicable.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (eg, bandages, sterile dressings), used during the procedure, when not included in the basic procedure	Billed when billable supplies are provided and not included in `17281` reimbursement.

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