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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDestruction Procedures on Malignant Lesions of the Integumentary SystemCPT cpt-17282-destruction-malignant-lesion-face-11-2cm
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    CPT 17282: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Face, 1.1–2.0 cm

    Medicare pays $207 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 17282 describes destruction of a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods for a lesion sized 1.1 cm to 2.0 cm; service type: malignant skin lesion destruction; typical site of service: outpatient dermatology or surgical clinic, including office-based procedures and ambulatory surgical centers.

    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 68-year-old patient presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic with a biopsy-confirmed basal cell carcinoma located on the lateral nose. The lesion measures approximately 1.5 cm in greatest diameter. After informed consent and pre-procedure assessment, the dermatologic surgeon performs destruction of the malignant cutaneous lesion using cryosurgery and electrosurgical curettage in a procedure room. Local anesthesia is administered. The procedure is documented with lesion location, size (1.5 cm), technique(s) used (cryosurgery and electrosurgery), estimated blood loss (minimal), and post-procedure wound care instructions. Billing is submitted using 17282 for destruction of a malignant lesion on the face measuring 1.1 cm to 2.0 cm in diameter. Typical sites of service include outpatient dermatology clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and physician office procedure rooms. A common clinical workflow includes lesion evaluation and biopsy, pathology confirmation of malignancy, pre-procedure counseling and consent, procedural destruction with documentation of size and technique, and follow-up for wound assessment and pathology correlation if biopsy specimens were retained.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    11102Tangential biopsy of lesion, single lesionPerformed prior to 17282 when an initial biopsy is required to confirm malignancy.
    11107Tangential biopsy, each additional lesion (list separately in addition to primary)Used when multiple suspicious lesions were biopsied before definitive destructive therapy.
    17000Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery) of premalignant lesion (actinic keratosis), first lesionMay be billed in the same episode for premalignant lesions; distinguishes benign/premalignant from malignant codes like 17282.
    11642Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; excised diameter 1.1 cm to 2.0 cmAlternative definitive excisional treatment to 17282 when surgical removal with margins is chosen instead of destruction.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, normally included, subsequent after surgeryUsed for routine follow-up wound checks after the destructive procedure when payer allows billing.
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., bandages, sterile supplies)Billed when non-routine supplies are provided that are not included in the procedure allowance.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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.,…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207W00000XOphthalmology PhysicianAn ophthalmologist has the knowledge and professional skills needed to provide comprehensive eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are medically train…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    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…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    363LP0222XCritical Care Pediatric Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    2080P0205XPediatric Endocrinology PhysicianA pediatrician who provides expert care to infants, children and adolescents who have diseases that result from an abnormality in the endocrine glands…
    246QC1000XChemistry Pathology Specialist/TechnologistTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 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
    Pharmacologic Treatment of PsoriasisPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical AcneCigna2026-08-01
    Spevigo (spesolimab‑sbzo) for generalized pustular psoriasisUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Onychomycosis Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-08-01
    Spesolimab-sbzo (Spevigoblue cross blue shield - tennessee2026-07-31
    Home ultraviolet light therapy equipment for skin conditionsselect_health2026-07-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-17260-MALIGNANT-LESION-DESTRUCTION-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS-05CM

    CPT 17260: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Trunk/Arms/Legs ≤0.5 cm

    CPT-17261-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS-06-10-CM

    CPT 17261: Destruction of Malignant Lesion, Trunk/Arms/Legs 0.6–1.0 cm

    CPT-17262-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-1-1-TO-2-0-CM-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 17262: Destruction of Malignant Lesion, Trunk/Arms/Legs 1.1–2.0 cm

    CPT-17263-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-2-1-3-0-CM-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 17263: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Trunk/Arms/Legs (2.1–3.0 cm)

    CPT-17264-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS-3CM-4CM

    CPT 17264: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Trunk/Arms/Legs 3.1–4.0 cm

    CPT-17266-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS-GT4CM

    CPT 17266: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Trunk/Arms/Legs (>4.0 cm)

    CPT-17270-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-05-CM-OR-LESS

    CPT 17270: Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion ≤0.5 cm

    CPT-17271-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-SKIN-LESION-0-6-1-0-CM

    CPT 17271: Destruction of Malignant Lesion 0.6–1.0 cm

    CPT-17272-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-1-1-TO-2-0-CM

    CPT 17272: Destruction of Malignant Lesion 1.1–2.0 cm

    CPT-17273-DESTRUCTION-MALIGNANT-LESION-2-1-TO-3-0-CM-SCALP-NECK-HANDS-FEET-GENITALIA

    CPT 17273: Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion 2.1–3.0 cm

    Showing 1–10 of 17

    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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