Summary & Overview

CPT 17340: Cryotherapy for Acne Lesions

CPT code 17340 represents cryotherapy for acne lesions, a dermatologic procedure used when acne is refractory to topical or systemic therapy. Nationally, this code captures a common office- or clinic-based intervention that helps clinicians bill for lesion-directed cryogenic treatment. The code matters because it affects coverage decisions, provider reimbursement for procedural dermatology, and utilization patterns in outpatient settings.

Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and which major payers commonly adjudicate claims for such dermatologic procedures. The publication also summarizes benchmarks, common billing considerations, and recent policy updates that influence coding and coverage for lesion-directed cryotherapy.

This report is intended for clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts seeking a clear description of the code, payer coverage landscape, and practical implications for outpatient dermatologic practice. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare17340CPTcryotherapydermatologyacneoutpatient-procedureprocedure-codingoffice-based-care

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 17340 describes the use of cryotherapy to treat acne, typically provided when acne does not respond to topical or systemic medications. The service type is a dermatologic therapeutic procedure using cryogenic agents to destroy acne lesions. The typical site of service is an outpatient dermatology clinic or office-based procedural setting.

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A young adult patient with persistent inflammatory acne presents to a dermatology clinic after failing topical retinoids and oral antibiotics. The dermatologist documents multiple discrete cryotherapy-responsive papules and pustules localized to the cheeks and forehead. After examination and informed consent, the provider applies liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in focused sprays or probes to individual lesions during an outpatient visit. The procedure is brief, does not require sedation, and is performed in the clinic dermatology procedure room. Typical workflow: history and focused skin exam, confirm indication and number/site of lesions, photograph and mark lesions as needed, perform cryotherapy with appropriate protective measures, provide wound care instructions, and schedule follow-up for assessment of response and potential repeat treatment.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Primary procedure	Use when `17340` is the primary service rendered during the encounter.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the procedure requires substantially greater effort, time, or complexity than usual.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Dermatology	Primary specialty performing cryotherapy for acne.
`207P00000X`	Pediatric Dermatology	Dermatologists focusing on pediatric patients for adolescent acne treatment.
`207L00000X`	Dermatopathology	Consultative role when biopsy or pathology correlation is needed for atypical lesions.
`2084P0800X`	Family Medicine	Office-based primary care providers who may perform limited cryotherapy for localized acne.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`L70.0`	Acne vulgaris	Primary indication for `17340` cryotherapy of individual acne lesions.
`L70.1`	Acne conglobata	Severe nodulocystic acne that may require lesion-directed procedures including cryotherapy adjunctively.
`L70.2`	Acne varioliformis	Scarring or atypical acne variants where lesion-directed therapy may be considered.
`L70.3`	Acne keloidalis	Follicular-based lesion variants in which targeted destruction may be part of management.
`L98.9`	Disorder of skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified	Used when a more specific diagnosis is not established but cryotherapy is applied to suspicious lesions.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`10060`	Incision and drainage of abscess; simple or single	Performed if an inflammatory acne lesion progresses to an isolated abscess requiring drainage prior to or instead of cryotherapy.
`11100`	Biopsy of single skin lesion; tangential/shave	Performed when a lesion is atypical or diagnosis uncertain before treating with cryotherapy.
`12032`	Simple repair of superficial wounds, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm	Performed if cryotherapy results in a wound that requires primary repair.
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit global period, general care only	Used for routine follow-up visits related to procedural aftercare when within payer global period rules.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (e.g., surgical supplies)	Used to report non-physician supplies related to performing cryotherapy when payer requires separate reporting.