Start New EnglishEspañol中文РусскийالعربيةTiếng ViệtFrançaisDeutsch한국어Tagalog Library Performance
BETA v.3.0

2025 CPT code 11901

Intralesional injection of a corticosteroid for more than 7 lesions.

Do not report 11901 for preoperative local anesthetic injection or for injection into veins (see 36470, 36471). For intralesional chemotherapy administration, see 96405, 96406. Do not report the number of injections performed. This code is reported once per encounter, regardless of the number of lesions over seven injected.

Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 51 (Multiple Procedures) is used if more than one distinct procedure is performed during the same encounter.Modifier 59 (Distinct Procedural Service) may be necessary if 11901 is performed along with another procedure on the same lesion, to clarify that these are distinct services.

Medical necessity for 11901 must be supported by documentation indicating that the lesions being treated caused pain, impaired function, or posed a cosmetic concern that did not respond to more conservative measures. Number of lesions, size of lesions, patient's symptoms and prior treatments must be documented for justification.

The physician performs the intralesional injection, selecting the appropriate corticosteroid and ensuring accurate administration into each lesion.

In simple words: A corticosteroid injection is administered directly into more than seven skin lesions to treat various skin conditions like keloids or large nodules.

This code describes an intralesional injection of a corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone acetonide, for treatment of large nodules, keloids, lichenified hyperkeratotic lesions, and numerous other conditions. The physician inserts a 25– or 30–gauge needle into the lesion and injects the drug. The needle is removed once the tissue expands and fills with the fluid. This code is used for more than 7 lesions.

Example 1: A patient presents with eight keloids on the back. The physician injects a corticosteroid into each lesion., A patient has more than seven cystic acne lesions. The physician performs intralesional injections of a corticosteroid in each lesion to reduce inflammation., A patient with psoriasis has multiple plaques. The physician uses intralesional corticosteroid injections in more than seven of the lesions.

Documentation should specify the number of lesions treated (more than 7), the location of each lesion, the type of lesion (e.g., keloid, nodule, cyst), the specific corticosteroid used, and the total amount injected. Photographs before and after may be helpful. Documentation of medical necessity including the failed conservative treatments is crucial.

** The drug injected, like Kenalog or Aristocort, is usually billed separately with appropriate J codes, HCPCS code. The revenue code for minor procedures on the skin is P6A

** Only Enterprise users with EHR integration can access case-specific answers. Click here to request access.

Discover what matters.

iFrame™ AI's knowledge is aligned with and limited to the materials uploaded by users and should not be interpreted as medical, legal, or any other form of advice by iFrame™.