Summary & Overview
CPT 96932: Near‑Infrared Skin Imaging for Lesion Evaluation
CPT code 96932 designates a focused near–infrared optical imaging procedure of the skin used to visualize abnormal lesions or scar tissue. The code covers the imaging component only and applies to a single skin lesion or specific area of diseased or damaged tissue. This noninvasive imaging modality supports clinical assessment and documentation of cutaneous abnormalities and can inform subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic steps.
Key national payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage patterns, common modifiers used in billing, and the clinical contexts in which skin near–infrared imaging is typically applied. Readers will find benchmarks for code utilization, an overview of documentation expectations tied to the imaging-only designation, and discussion of how the service aligns with dermatology and outpatient procedural workflows.
The report provides clinicians, coding professionals, and policy staff with clear context on the clinical purpose of 96932, typical sites of service, and the administrative distinctions that arise when billing for imaging-only procedures. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable in the full publication.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 96932 describes an imaging procedure that uses near–infrared light focused on the skin to detect abnormal lesions or scar formation. The light source is connected to a computer that displays an image of the tissue under examination. Use of 96932 is limited to the imaging procedure only and applies to a single skin lesion or a single area of diseased or damaged tissue.
-
Service type: Dermatologic optical imaging using near–infrared light
-
Typical site of service: Ambulatory dermatology clinic, outpatient imaging center, or office-based skin evaluation
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with a history of prior excision and scarring presents to a dermatology clinic for evaluation of a suspicious pigmented papule on the forearm. The provider performs a focused near–infrared transillumination imaging session to assess subsurface lesion margins and scar architecture prior to planning biopsy or surgical revision. The patient is positioned in an outpatient dermatology procedure room; the device's near–infrared light source is applied over the single lesion, and real-time images are displayed on the connected computer monitor for review. Images are stored in the patient's electronic medical record. The encounter documents the imaging procedure only; any subsequent biopsy, excision, pathology, or operative services are reported separately with their appropriate CPT codes and modifiers.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Professional component | When the reporting physician performed the interpretation and image acquisition as the professional service. |
22 | Increased procedural services | When work required is substantially greater than typical for the imaging procedure. |