2025 CPT code 11102
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System - Biopsy Procedures on the Skin Surgery Feed
Tangential biopsy of a single skin lesion using a shave, scoop, saucerize, or curette technique.
Modifiers 25 (if a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is performed the same day), 59 (to indicate a distinct procedural service), RT (right side), LT (left side), and XE (separate encounter) may be applicable.
Medical necessity for a tangential biopsy is established when there is a clinical indication for histopathologic examination of a skin lesion that is suspicious for malignancy or other pathology. This could include abnormal findings on physical exam, changes in lesion appearance, patient concerns, or previous biopsies with indeterminate results.
The physician or qualified healthcare professional is responsible for selecting the appropriate biopsy technique, performing the procedure, and documenting the findings. This includes proper patient preparation, anesthesia administration (if necessary), tissue sampling, wound management (if any), and specimen submission to the pathology laboratory.
- Surgery
- Surgical Procedures on the Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures > Biopsy Procedures on the Skin
In simple words: The doctor takes a small, thin shaving or scraping of a skin growth to test it. This is done with a special blade or small instrument.They don't remove the whole growth, just a small piece to check if there is a problem.
CPT code 11102 describes a tangential biopsy of a single skin lesion.This procedure involves the removal of a superficial sample of epidermal tissue, with or without portions of the underlying dermis, using a sharp blade (e.g., flexible biopsy blade, obliquely oriented scalpel, or curette). The technique aims to obtain a tissue sample for diagnostic pathologic examination.It's a less invasive method compared to punch or incisional biopsies, and simple closure is not typically required. The intent is purely diagnostic; if therapeutic removal is the goal, codes 11300-11313 should be used instead.
Example 1: A patient presents with a suspicious-looking mole on their arm. The physician performs a tangential biopsy to obtain a tissue sample for pathological examination to rule out melanoma., A patient has multiple seborrheic keratoses. The physician performs a tangential biopsy on the largest lesion and then additional tangential biopsies on two smaller lesions. Codes 11102 and 11103 are reported., A patient has a suspicious lesion on their back that requires a tangential biopsy. The physician also performs an excision of another skin lesion, separately billable.
** Accurate coding requires careful consideration of the procedure performed, the number of lesions biopsied, and the use of add-on codes as needed. Always refer to the most current AMA CPT manual and payer-specific guidelines for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P6C (Minor Procedures - Other)
- RVU: RVUs vary by geographic location and payer. Consult your local fee schedule or payer guidelines for current RVU values and reimbursement rates.
- Global Days: 0 global days.The service is considered complete on the day of the procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable. A technical component modifier is not usually used with this code.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule information varies by payer and geographic location. Refer to historical payer fee schedules for specific data.
- Specialties:Dermatology, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center