CPT code 26117 denotes an extensive excision of a soft-tissue tumor or mass in the hand or finger when malignancy is suspected, with the lesion and margins measuring less than 3 cm. This code captures a higher-complexity, site-specific surgical oncology procedure performed to remove potentially malignant masses and achieve oncologic margins while preserving hand function. Nationally, accurate use of this code affects surgical reporting, payer adjudication, and quality measurement for hand tumor management.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations. The publication outlines benchmarks and coding guidance relevant to claims submission, common modifiers encountered in practice, and how the code aligns with related surgical services.

This summary equips clinicians, practice managers, and billing professionals with the essential context for CPT code 26117, including clinical indications, expected care setting, and the types of reporting and documentation issues that commonly arise for small (<3 cm) hand and finger soft-tissue tumor excisions. Data not available in the input.