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CPT 46611: Anoscopy with Snare Removal of Single Polyp or Lesion

CPT code 46611 denotes anoscopy with removal of a single tumor, polyp, or lesion using a snare technique. This targeted minor surgical procedure is performed to remove visible lesions in the anal canal and can affect clinical management by providing definitive removal and tissue for pathology. Nationally, the code is relevant to outpatient procedural billing and surveillance for colorectal and anorectal pathology.

Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the procedural focus for documentation and coding clarity. The publication summarizes common modifiers and payer considerations (where available) and situates 46611 among related anorectal procedures for coding consistency.

The report helps clinicians, coders, and revenue leaders understand where 46611 fits in standard practice: when an anoscopic snare excision is the indicated approach, how it is typically performed, and what operational settings commonly deliver the service. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable, and the piece emphasizes concise coding description, payer coverage scope, and practical implications for outpatient surgical workflows.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 46611 describes an anoscopy with removal of a single tumor, polyp, or lesion using a snare technique. The procedure uses a small, rigid tubular instrument (anoscope) to visualize the anal canal and locate the lesion. The provider passes a snare over the polyp or tumor and around its stalk, tightens the snare loop to grip the stalk, and removes the lesion from the anal wall.

Service type: Procedural excision via anoscopy using a snare
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an office setting capable of minor surgical procedures

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CPT 46611: Anoscopy with Snare Removal of Single Polyp or Lesion

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Procedural excision via anoscopy using a snare
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an office setting capable of minor surgical procedures

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old patient presents to the outpatient colorectal clinic with rectal bleeding and a palpable anorectal mass on digital rectal exam. After triage and consent, the patient is placed in the knee-chest or left lateral decubitus position. The clinician performs a focused perianal and anal canal inspection using a rigid anoscope to visualize the lesion. Under direct vision, local anesthesia may be administered to the anal verge and canal. A single pedunculated lesion is captured with a snare passed through the anoscope, the loop is tightened around the stalk, and electrocautery or mechanical traction is applied to remove the polyp/tumor. Hemostasis is achieved with cautery or topical agents and the specimen is sent to pathology. The typical workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation, procedural consent, anoscopy with snare polypectomy, specimen handling, brief recovery, and post-procedure discharge instructions. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center or outpatient clinic procedure room. Service type: minor ambulatory surgical procedure (anoscopy with snare excision). Typical patient scenario: symptomatic anal canal polyp or small tumor requiring in-office or ASC removal for diagnosis and symptom relief.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Office or other outpatient setting (standard)	Use when this is the usual service representative of the surgeon's typical work.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the procedure required significantly greater work than typical (extensive dissection, prolonged time).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when local anesthesia is unsafe and general anesthesia is required for this brief procedure.
`26`	Professional component	Use if billing only the professional interpretation/service separate from technical component (rare for this code).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if a bilateral anal/rectal procedure conventionally applies (rare; document bilaterality).
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when additional distinct procedures are performed the same operative session.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure was partially reduced or not completed as documented.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure was started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances.
`54`	Surgical care only	Use when another provider bills for pre- and post-operative care and surgeon bills only intraoperative work.
`56`	Pre-operative management only	Use when the provider bills only for pre-operative care.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Use if patient meets weight criterion (rare for this procedure).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the procedure later for the same patient (note: `76` not in supplied list; omitted)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Colon & Rectal Surgery	Primary specialty performing anoscopic polypectomy and anorectal excisions.
207SG0200X	General Surgery	General surgeons commonly perform outpatient anorectal procedures.
207RH0000X	Gastroenterology	Gastroenterologists perform anoscopy and anal polypectomy in office or ASC settings.
2080P0207X	Family Medicine	Family physicians with procedural training may perform minor anorectal excisions in office.
207L00000X	Proctology	Proctologists or colorectal-focused specialists commonly perform these procedures.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`K62.5`	Hemorrhage of anus and rectum	Common presenting symptom prompting anoscopy and possible removal of bleeding lesion.
`K62.9`	Disease of anus and rectum, unspecified	Used when a specific anorectal lesion is identified but not yet fully characterized; may be initial coding.
`K60.2`	External hemorrhoids with other complication	Anal lesions or mass-like hemorrhoids may require anoscopic evaluation and removal if atypical.
`D12.6`	Benign neoplasm of anus and anal canal	Direct indication for snare polypectomy of a benign polyp or lesion in the anal canal.
`C21.0`	Malignant neoplasm of anus, skin of anal canal	Suspicious lesions may be biopsied or excised by snare for diagnosis; malignant coding used when confirmed.
`R19.5`	Other fecal abnormalities	Symptoms such as mucus or visible mass prompting diagnostic anoscopy and excision.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`46610`	Anoscopy; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brush or forceps	Performed prior to or as part of evaluation; diagnostic exam without snare excision.
`45110`	Local excision of lesion of anus, simple (e.g., for small benign lesions)	Alternative or related code for simple excision of anal lesion when performed without anoscope snare technique.
`45330`	Sigmoidoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or forceps	Performed when more proximal evaluation of distal colon/rectum is indicated in conjunction with anoscopy.
`88305`	Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	Pathology billing for specimen removed during snare excision; typically billed by pathology provider.
`95831`	Anesthesia for procedures on lower abdomen, perineum, pelvis; regional anesthesia	Used when regional anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care is provided for the procedure in the ASC.

CPT 46600: Anoscopy with Anal Canal Specimen Collection

CPT-46601-DIAGNOSTIC-ANOSCOPY-ENHANCED-VISUALIZATION

CPT 46601: Diagnostic Anoscopy with Enhanced Visualization

CPT-46604-ANOSCOPY-WITH-ANAL-DILATION

CPT 46604: Anoscopy with Anal Dilation

CPT-46606-ANOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

CPT 46606: Anoscopy with Biopsy

CPT-46607-ANOSCOPY-WITH-MAGNIFICATION-CHEMICAL-ENHANCEMENT-BIOPSY

CPT 46607: Anoscopy with Magnification, Chemical Enhancement, and Biopsy

CPT-46608-ANOSCOPY-WITH-ANAL-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

CPT 46608: Anoscopy with Anal Foreign Body Removal

CPT-46610-ANOSCOPY-SINGLE-LESION-REMOVAL-HOT-BIOPSY-BIPOLAR-CAUTERY

CPT 46610: Anoscopy with Removal of Single Lesion

CPT-46612-ANOSCOPY-MULTIPLE-LESION-REMOVAL

CPT 46612: Anoscopy with Removal of Multiple Anal/Rectal Lesions

CPT-46614-ANOSCOPY-WITH-HEMOSTASIS

CPT 46614: Anoscopy With Hemostasis

CPT-46615-ANOSCOPY-LESION-EXCISION

CPT 46615: Anoscopy with Excision of Anorectal Lesion

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Office or other outpatient setting (standard)	Use when this is the usual service representative of the surgeon's typical work.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the procedure required significantly greater work than typical (extensive dissection, prolonged time).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when local anesthesia is unsafe and general anesthesia is required for this brief procedure.
`26`	Professional component	Use if billing only the professional interpretation/service separate from technical component (rare for this code).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if a bilateral anal/rectal procedure conventionally applies (rare; document bilaterality).
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when additional distinct procedures are performed the same operative session.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure was partially reduced or not completed as documented.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure was started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances.
`54`	Surgical care only	Use when another provider bills for pre- and post-operative care and surgeon bills only intraoperative work.
`56`	Pre-operative management only	Use when the provider bills only for pre-operative care.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Use if patient meets weight criterion (rare for this procedure).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the procedure later for the same patient (note: `76` not in supplied list; omitted)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Colon & Rectal Surgery	Primary specialty performing anoscopic polypectomy and anorectal excisions.
207SG0200X	General Surgery	General surgeons commonly perform outpatient anorectal procedures.
207RH0000X	Gastroenterology	Gastroenterologists perform anoscopy and anal polypectomy in office or ASC settings.
2080P0207X	Family Medicine	Family physicians with procedural training may perform minor anorectal excisions in office.
207L00000X	Proctology	Proctologists or colorectal-focused specialists commonly perform these procedures.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`K62.5`	Hemorrhage of anus and rectum	Common presenting symptom prompting anoscopy and possible removal of bleeding lesion.
`K62.9`	Disease of anus and rectum, unspecified	Used when a specific anorectal lesion is identified but not yet fully characterized; may be initial coding.
`K60.2`	External hemorrhoids with other complication	Anal lesions or mass-like hemorrhoids may require anoscopic evaluation and removal if atypical.
`D12.6`	Benign neoplasm of anus and anal canal	Direct indication for snare polypectomy of a benign polyp or lesion in the anal canal.
`C21.0`	Malignant neoplasm of anus, skin of anal canal	Suspicious lesions may be biopsied or excised by snare for diagnosis; malignant coding used when confirmed.
`R19.5`	Other fecal abnormalities	Symptoms such as mucus or visible mass prompting diagnostic anoscopy and excision.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`46610`	Anoscopy; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brush or forceps	Performed prior to or as part of evaluation; diagnostic exam without snare excision.
`45110`	Local excision of lesion of anus, simple (e.g., for small benign lesions)	Alternative or related code for simple excision of anal lesion when performed without anoscope snare technique.
`45330`	Sigmoidoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or forceps	Performed when more proximal evaluation of distal colon/rectum is indicated in conjunction with anoscopy.
`88305`	Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	Pathology billing for specimen removed during snare excision; typically billed by pathology provider.
`95831`	Anesthesia for procedures on lower abdomen, perineum, pelvis; regional anesthesia	Used when regional anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care is provided for the procedure in the ASC.

CPT 46600: Anoscopy with Anal Canal Specimen Collection

CPT-46601-DIAGNOSTIC-ANOSCOPY-ENHANCED-VISUALIZATION

CPT 46601: Diagnostic Anoscopy with Enhanced Visualization

CPT-46604-ANOSCOPY-WITH-ANAL-DILATION

CPT 46604: Anoscopy with Anal Dilation

CPT-46606-ANOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

CPT 46606: Anoscopy with Biopsy

CPT-46607-ANOSCOPY-WITH-MAGNIFICATION-CHEMICAL-ENHANCEMENT-BIOPSY

CPT 46607: Anoscopy with Magnification, Chemical Enhancement, and Biopsy

CPT-46608-ANOSCOPY-WITH-ANAL-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

CPT 46608: Anoscopy with Anal Foreign Body Removal

CPT-46610-ANOSCOPY-SINGLE-LESION-REMOVAL-HOT-BIOPSY-BIPOLAR-CAUTERY

CPT 46610: Anoscopy with Removal of Single Lesion

CPT-46612-ANOSCOPY-MULTIPLE-LESION-REMOVAL

CPT 46612: Anoscopy with Removal of Multiple Anal/Rectal Lesions

CPT-46614-ANOSCOPY-WITH-HEMOSTASIS

CPT 46614: Anoscopy With Hemostasis

CPT-46615-ANOSCOPY-LESION-EXCISION

CPT 46615: Anoscopy with Excision of Anorectal Lesion

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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CPT 46611: Anoscopy with Snare Removal of Single Polyp or Lesion

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 46611: Anoscopy with Snare Removal of Single Polyp or Lesion

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 46611: Anoscopy with Snare Removal of Single Polyp or Lesion

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Billing Code Overview

CPT 46611: Anoscopy with Snare Removal of Single Polyp or Lesion

Sign up for cpt 46611 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 46611 cover and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are relevant for billing CPT 46611?

What related CPT codes should coders consider alongside 46611?

Which diagnoses commonly justify performing an anoscopic snare polypectomy (46611)?

Which provider specialties and practice settings commonly perform CPT 46611?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 46611 cover and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are relevant for billing CPT 46611?

What related CPT codes should coders consider alongside 46611?

Which diagnoses commonly justify performing an anoscopic snare polypectomy (46611)?

Which provider specialties and practice settings commonly perform CPT 46611?

References