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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDestruction Procedures on the AnusCPT cpt-46900-chemical-destruction-anal-lesion
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    CPT 46900: Chemical Destruction of Anal Lesion

    Medicare pays $279 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 46900 describes a simple chemical destruction of an anal lesion (examples: condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle) performed by a provider; the service is a minor office or procedure-based topical chemical ablation and the typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, physician office, or ambulatory surgical setting where topical chemical agents are applied to destroy superficial anal lesions.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal Incontinence.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult who presents to an outpatient colorectal clinic or dermatology/proctology office with one or more small external or peri-anal verrucous lesions suspicious for condyloma acuminata (anogenital warts), papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, or occasionally a herpetic vesicle that is painful or persistent. The provider performs an exam of the perianal region, documents lesion size, number, location, and patient symptoms (itching, bleeding, pain). After informed consent and explanation of alternatives, the clinician applies a topical chemical agent (commonly trichloroacetic acid or podophyllin is not a chemical destruction; for 46900 typically caustic chemical) to each lesion to chemically destroy the superficial tissue. The procedure is brief, often performed in an exam room under direct visualization with appropriate lighting and cleansing; no general anesthesia is required. Post-procedure instructions include wound care, expected local reaction, signs of infection, and potential need for repeat treatment at follow-up if lesions persist. Typical sites of service are outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgical center for multiple or extensive lesions, or office-based procedural room.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    11100Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (including simple closure), single lesionMay be performed prior to or instead of 46900 when diagnosis is uncertain and tissue is needed for histopathology.
    57520Destruction of lesion(s) of cervix, including cryosurgery or laser (separate code example)Different anatomic site; included as an example of destructive procedures for nearby anogenital areas when lesion location differs from anal/perianal region.
    46910Electrodesiccation and fulguration of anal condyloma; simpleAlternative ablative method for anal lesions when chemical destruction (46900) is not used or fails.
    57452Colposcopy of the cervix including upper/adjacent vaginal fornices; with biopsy(s)Performed when evaluation of adjacent anogenital mucosa is necessary; represents diagnostic workflow in gynecologic patients.
    99213Office outpatient visit, established patient, low to moderate complexityCommon E/M code billed same day when an evaluation and management is performed and appropriately documented together with 46900.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    207N00000X
    207R00000X
    208D00000X
    163WR0400X
    207YS0012X
    171WH0202X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A60.02Herpesviral infection of other male genital organs
    A63.0Anogenital (venereal) warts
    A64Unspecified sexually transmitted disease
    B00.2Herpesviral gingivostomatitis and pharyngotonsillitis
    B07.0Plantar wart
    B07.8Other viral warts
    B07.9Viral wart, unspecified
    B08.1Molluscum contagiosum
    D23.5Other benign neoplasm of skin of trunk
    D23.9Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal IncontinenceCigna2026-10-15
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)Premera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Gastroesophageal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Services and ProceduresColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-46910-ANAL-LESION-DESTRUCTION-CAUTERY

    CPT 46910: Destruction of Anal Lesion by Electrocautery

    CPT-46916-ANAL-LESION-DESTRUCTION-CRYOTHERAPY

    CPT 46916: Destruction of Anal Lesion by Cryotherapy

    CPT-46917-ANAL-LESION-DESTRUCTION-LASER

    CPT 46917: Laser Destruction of Anal Lesion

    CPT-46922-ANAL-LESION-DESTRUCTION-EXCISION

    CPT 46922: Anal Lesion Destruction by Excision

    CPT-46924-EXTENSIVE-ANAL-LESION-DESTRUCTION

    CPT 46924: Extensive Destruction of Anal Lesion

    CPT-46930-INTERNAL-HEMORRHOID-THERMAL-DESTRUCTION

    CPT 46930: Destruction of Internal Hemorrhoids by Thermal Techniques

    CPT-46940-ANAL-FISSURE-OTOMY-AND-SPHINCTER-DILATION

    CPT 46940: Anal Fissure Excision with Anal Sphincter Dilation

    CPT-46942-ANAL-FISSURE-DEBRIDEMENT-AND-SPHINCTER-DILATION-SUBSEQUENT

    CPT 46942: Anal Fissure Excision/Scraping with Sphincter Dilation, Subsequent

    CPT-46945-HEMORRHOIDECTOMY-SINGLE-HEMORRHOID-EXCISION-NON-RUBBER-BAND

    CPT 46945: Hemorrhoidectomy, Single Hemorrhoid (Non-Band Technique)

    CPT-46946-EXCISION-MULTIPLE-HEMORRHOIDS-NON-RUBBER-BAND-TECHNIQUES

    CPT 46946: Hemorrhoidectomy, Two or More (Non-Rubber Band)

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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