Summary & Overview
CPT 26111: Excision of Subcutaneous Tumor or Vascular Malformation, Hand/Finger
CPT code 26111 represents surgical excision of a subcutaneous tumor or vascular malformation from the soft tissue of the hand or finger when the resection measures 1.5 cm or greater. This code is used to report definitive removal of palpable or imaging-identified soft-tissue lesions in the digits or hand and is relevant for surgeons, hospital billing departments, and payers handling surgical hand care. Nationally, accurate use of this code affects claims adjudication, surgical quality tracking, and procedural resource allocation for hand surgery services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for when the code applies, typical sites of service, common modifiers listed in the input, and what to expect in payer coverage patterns. The publication provides benchmarks and practical billing considerations, highlights common areas of coding interpretation for lesion size and anatomic site, and summarizes policy updates or payer guidance when available.
The content is intended to support revenue cycle teams, surgical providers, and compliance staff in understanding the clinical scope of 26111, how it differs from related excision codes by location and size, and the operational implications for scheduling and site-of-service selection. Data not provided in the input (such as associated taxonomies, ICD-10 pairings, and payer-specific rules) is noted as unavailable where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 26111 describes excision of a subcutaneous tumor or vascular malformation from the soft tissue of the hand or finger where the resection size is 1.5 cm or more. The procedure involves surgical removal of soft-tissue masses located beneath the skin of the digits or hand, typically performed by a hand surgeon or orthopedic/plastic surgeon with hand specialization.
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Service type: Surgical excision of soft-tissue lesion
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an operating room when clinically indicated
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 46-year-old patient presents to an outpatient hand surgery clinic with a painful, palpable subcutaneous mass on the volar aspect of the ring finger that has gradually increased to approximately 2.0 cm in greatest dimension and limits grasp and finger motion. Physical exam demonstrates a well-circumscribed, mobile soft-tissue mass distinct from the tendon sheath. Imaging with a hand ultrasound confirms a superficial vascular malformation / hemangioma confined to soft tissue of the finger without deep extension. After counseling, the patient is scheduled for excision of the lesion under regional block in an ambulatory surgery center. The surgical workflow includes preoperative marking, digital block or regional anesthesia, sterile prep, a longitudinal or Bruner-type incision, careful dissection to isolate and ligate feeding vessels, complete excision of the lesion measuring ≥1.5 cm, hemostasis, layered closure, dressing, and brief postoperative observation prior to discharge. Documentation includes lesion size (measured intraoperatively), anatomic site (hand/finger), estimated blood loss, anesthesia type, operative findings, and specimen disposition. Billing uses 26111 for excision of a subcutaneous tumor or vascular malformation of the hand or finger with resection ≥1.5 cm, with selection of any clinically applicable modifiers and an appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis reflecting the tumor or vascular malformation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |