Advanced Search

Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Take Into Account Mole Removal's Location, Size

Published on Mon Aug 06, 2012

Question: I can't seem to fit "removal of mole" with any of the existing CPT® codes. Please help me identify it.Wyoming Subscriber Answer: For simple removal of a mole, (meaning without destruction), you'll want to first determine the method of removal as either shave removal (11300-11313) or benign excision (11400-11446).If the procedure was a shave removal, choose the appropriate code (11300-11313) according to both the location and size of the lesion. Be sure to measure the size of the lesion prior to removal. If your physician shaved a 1.5 cm lesion from a patient's neck, you would report 11307 (Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm). If the method of removal was by excision, choose from among the codes for "excision of a benign lesion" (11400-11446). Select the appropriate code according to both the location and size of the excised [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Primary Care Coding Alert

View All