Summary & Overview
CPT 17283: Destruction of Malignant Lesion on Face or Mucous Membrane
Headline: CPT code 17283 Defines Outpatient Destruction of Mid-Sized Malignant Facial or Mucosal Lesions
Lead: CPT code 17283 covers destruction of a malignant lesion measuring 2.1–3.0 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane using chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or similar techniques. This procedural code standardizes reporting for a common set of dermatologic oncology treatments delivered in outpatient settings.
Why it matters: Accurate use of CPT code 17283 is important for clinical documentation, billing consistency, and national monitoring of procedural treatment of malignant skin and mucosal lesions. The code captures mid-sized lesions in cosmetically and functionally sensitive anatomic areas where procedure selection and site-of-service influence resource use.
Key payers: Analysis commonly addresses payment and coverage considerations for Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
What readers will learn: This publication provides clinical context for CPT code 17283, summarizes typical sites of service and service type, and outlines the scope of procedures represented by the code. Readers will find benchmark-focused content covering coding scope, common clinical scenarios where the code applies, and policy-relevant considerations affecting reimbursement and utilization. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 17283 describes destruction of a malignant lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods. The code applies when the lesion measures 2.1 cm to 3.0 cm in diameter.
Service type: Lesion destruction for malignant skin or mucous membrane lesions.
Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic, dermatology office, ambulatory surgical center, or other outpatient procedural setting involving minor surgical dermatologic procedures.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male presents to a dermatology clinic with a biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma located on the left lateral nose measuring 2.4 cm in greatest diameter. The patient has a history of sun exposure and prior actinic keratoses. After discussion of treatment options, the dermatologist schedules a destruction procedure using electrosurgery in the office under local anesthesia. Standard pre-procedure verification is completed, informed consent is documented, lesion measurements and photographs are recorded, and local anesthesia is administered. The provider performs lesion destruction targeting the full visible malignancy and devitalized tissue is removed per standard technique. Post-procedure wound care instructions and follow-up for wound assessment and possible additional treatment are documented in the chart.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management performed by the reporting physician | Use when an unrelated E/M was provided on the same date and appropriately documented for medical necessity |
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or complexity substantially exceeds typical for lesion destruction and documentation supports additional work |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use when general anesthesia or deep sedation is required for the procedure in an otherwise non–anesthesia-covered setting |
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the professional component of a service that has separate technical and professional components |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when the same procedure is performed on both sides of the face/paired anatomic sites and payer allows modifier for this code |
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 or those that threaten patient well-being |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when another procedure on the same date is distinct and separate from the lesion destruction (e.g., skin biopsy at a different site) |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use when the same procedure is repeated later the same day by the same provider |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period | Use when the patient requires an immediate return for a complication of the destruction |
79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period | Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period |
AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services performed in part by a physician assistant | Use when services are performed by these non-physician practitioners per payer rules |
QX | Modifier for assistant at surgery (physician not employed by surgeon) | Use when a qualified assistant is present and billing requirements for assistant modifier are met |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 208100000X | Dermatology | Dermatologists commonly perform skin lesion destructions and manage skin cancer |
| 207N00000X | Dermatopathology | Dermatopathologists provide diagnostic biopsy interpretation that guides need for destruction |
| 208M00000X | Mohs Micrographic Surgery | Mohs surgeons manage complex facial skin cancers; may perform destructive alternatives in select cases |
| 103K00000X | Physician Assistant | PAs frequently assist or perform procedures under physician supervision in dermatology |
| 363A00000X | General Surgery | General surgeons may perform excision or destructive procedures on head and neck lesions when dermatology is not available |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
C44.311 | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of right eyelid, including canthus | Squamous cell carcinoma on facial sites is an indication for destructive or excisional treatment |
C44.312 | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of left eyelid, including canthus | Laterality variants reflect lesion location for coding and medical record accuracy |
C44.319 | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of eyelid, unspecified | Used when side is not specified in documentation |
C44.21 | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of ear and external auricular canal | Ear lesions in the malignant size range may be treated with destruction or excision |
C44.31 | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of eyelid | General code for eyelid malignancies when more specific site codes are not required |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
11102 | Tangential biopsy of skin (e.g., shave, scoop), single lesion | May be performed before definitive destruction to obtain histologic diagnosis |
17000 | Destruction of premalignant lesion(s), up to 14 lesions | Performed for actinic keratoses or premalignant lesions; different indication than malignant lesion destruction |
11646 | Excision, malignant lesion including margins, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.1 cm to 3.0 cm | Surgical excision code for definitive removal; an alternative to destructive methods when excision is indicated |
12051 | Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm | May be reported when surgical excision is performed and layered closure is required after lesion removal |
99024 | Postoperative follow-up visit global period, included in global fee | Follow-up care commonly provided after procedural treatment; documentation may reference included global care |