2025 CPT code 15787
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System - Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Abrasion of each additional four lesions or less (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).
Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances of the procedure. For example, modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service if the additional abrasions are performed on a separate anatomical site.
Medical necessity must be established for using this code. This often requires documentation indicating that the lesions are causing the patient pain, discomfort, or functional impairment, or are precancerous.
The physician marks the additional lesion(s), preps the area, administers anesthesia, and then scrapes away thin layers of skin until the lesion is removed and healthy tissue is visible.
In simple words: This code covers the removal of one to four additional skin lesions (like scars or warts) by scraping the skin's surface, usually after one lesion has already been removed. It's like sanding down the skin to make it smooth.
This code is used for the abrasion of one to four additional lesions following the primary procedure (CPT code 15786) on the integumentary system.It involves scraping away thin layers of skin to remove the lesion, such as a scar or keratosis.This procedure often follows the primary abrasion of a single lesion and is reported as an add-on code.
Example 1: A patient presents with five keratoses on their face.The physician performs abrasion on the largest lesion (15786) and then abrades the four smaller lesions (15787)., A patient has two scars on their arm from previous injuries. The physician performs abrasion on both scars during the same session. Code 15786 is reported for the first scar and 15787 for the additional scar., A patient has a single large scar and three adjacent smaller scars on their leg.The physician performs abrasion on all four lesions.Code 15786 is reported for the primary lesion (the large scar) and 15787 is used for the group of three additional lesions.
Documentation should include the number and location of lesions treated, the size of each lesion, the method of abrasion used, and any complications encountered. Photographs may be helpful for pre- and post-treatment comparisons.
** This code is for the abrasion of superficial lesions.If deeper structures are involved, a different code may be more appropriate.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center