Wiki CODERS ASSISTANCE REQUIRED- Aesthetician billing for CPT 17360 and 17340

robertn.meza

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Good afternoon,

CPC's, I need your assistance in understanding if the services an aesthetician performs meets the AMA Guidelines for utilization of CPT 17360 and 17340.

17360-Mask applied to patients face
17340- Dry ice and/or acetone slush applied to patients face

I really appreciate your help.
Thank you.
 
17360 is not a mask applied, it is "chemical exfoliation of acne". The examples are acne paste, acid, etc.
17340 is cryotherapy for acne, such as carbon dioxide slush, liquid nitrogen

In California, what an aesthetician is allowed to do is governed by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. They specifically state, if a machine or product you use does any of the following, you are working out of your scope of practice: bleeding, bruising, edema, inflammation, oozing, excoriation, scabbing, removal of skin below the epidermis, piercing of skin, heating or burning of skin, electricity which contracts muscle.

The also state that intention is important. Is the intention cosmetic, such as smoothing the skin, or is it medical, such as curing or treating acne? If medical, then it is outside the scope of practice. Also, do the ingredients cause the product to be considered the practice of medicine? A skin peeling agent could advertise that its use will remove unwanted dead skin cells and promote vibrant, glowing skin - okay, cosmetic use. However, if it claims to remove brown spots, scars, etc., it is the practice of medicine.

Therefore, because those codes states FOR ACNE, they are outside the scope of practice in California. Other states may vary.
 
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