12/13/2018

Global Period and Expectation of Lesion Removal for CPT Codes 17110 and 17111

When billing codes17110 and 17111, is it the expectation that the lesion(s) are destroyed in only one application of "any method." If not, is there a global period?

With CPT codes 17110 & 17111, it is expected that the benign lesions may not be removed completely in one application and that a patient may have to return to the office for a subsequent treatment, regardless of the method used to treat the lesions. With either procedure code, the global period for the procedure is 10 days. A patient can return to follow-up after the 10 days for another treatment if medically necessary if the lesions reoccur in the same area or if they form on a new site on the patient’s foot or toes.

Code Description: 17110- Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions

Lay Description (Code):

The physician uses a laser, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemical treatment, or surgical curettement to obliterate or vaporize benign lesions other than skin tags or lesions such as cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. Examples of lesions that may be removed under this code description include, but are not limited to, molluscum contagiosum or melanocytic nevi. Report 17110 when one to 14 lesions are removed and 17111 when 15 or more lesions are removed

Coding Tips:

These codes are specific to benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. Local anesthesia is included in these services. For sharp removal, ligature strangulation, electrosurgical destruction, or combination of treatment modalities, including chemical or electrocauterization of skin tags and/or fibrocutaneous lesions, up to and including 15 lesions, see 11200; each additional ten lesions, report 11201 with 11200. For destruction of malignant skin lesions, see 17280-17286. For destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (e.g., laser technique), see 17106-17108. For destruction of extensive cutaneous neurofibroma over 50 lesions, see 0419T; over 100 lesions, see 0420T. For destruction of premalignant lesions, see 17000-17004.

Code Description: 17111- Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; 15 or more lesions

Lay Description (Code):

The physician uses a laser, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemical treatment, or surgical curettement to obliterate or vaporize benign lesions other than skin tags or lesions such as cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. Examples of lesions that may be removed under this code description include, but are not limited to, molluscum contagiosum or melanocytic nevi. Report 17110 when one to 14 lesions are removed and 17111 when 15 or more lesions are removed.

Coding Tips:

These codes are specific to benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions. Local anesthesia is included in these services. For sharp removal, ligature strangulation, electrosurgical destruction, or combination of treatment modalities, including chemical or electrocauterization of skin tags and/or fibrocutaneous lesions, up to and including 15 lesions, see 11200; each additional ten lesions, report 11201 with 11200. For destruction of malignant skin lesions, see 17280-17286. For destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (e.g., laser technique), see 17106-17108. For destruction of extensive cutaneous neurofibroma over 50 lesions, see 0419T; over 100 lesions, see 0420T. For destruction of premalignant lesions, see 17000-17004.