2025 CPT code 17313
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Mohs micrographic surgery; first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks.
Modifiers may be applicable, particularly modifier 59 for distinct procedural services if other procedures are performed on the same day.Consult current coding guidelines for additional modifier usage rules.Modifiers 22, 51, and 78 could also be used in the appropriate clinical scenarios.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a suspicious skin lesion requiring definitive diagnosis and complete surgical excision.Documentation should support a clinical suspicion of malignancy, the need for Mohs surgery, and the number of stages.
The physician performs the first stage of Mohs surgery, including tissue removal, mapping, specimen preparation, microscopic examination, and histologic preparation.
In simple words: This code represents the first step in Mohs surgery, a procedure to remove skin cancer.The doctor removes layers of skin, examines them under a microscope, and repeats until no cancer cells are found. This code covers up to five tissue samples in the first stage.
Mohs micrographic technique, including removal of all gross tumor, surgical excision of tissue specimens, mapping, color coding of specimens, microscopic examination of specimens by the surgeon, and histopathologic preparation including routine stains (e.g., hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue), of the trunk, arms, or legs; first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks.
Example 1: A patient presents with a suspicious lesion on their arm. The physician performs a Mohs procedure, removing and analyzing up to five tissue blocks in the first stage.The margins are clear after the first stage, and no further stages are needed., A patient presents with a large, complex lesion on their back. The physician performs the first stage of Mohs surgery, involving the removal and processing of five tissue blocks. Further stages are needed. Code 17314 will be used for subsequent stages., A patient presents with a suspicious lesion on their leg. The physician performs a biopsy, frozen section (88331 with modifier 59), and the first stage of Mohs surgery (17313).The margins are not clear and the procedure is completed in multiple stages, using code 17314 for additional stages.
Detailed operative report including the number of tissue blocks processed, the depth and size of excisions, and the results of the microscopic examination.Images of the lesion, mapping and excisions may also be helpful.
** Accurate coding requires detailed documentation of the procedure performed, including the number of tissue blocks processed and the results of the microscopic examination.The use of add-on codes and modifiers should be carefully considered and must align with the specific clinical circumstances.
- Revenue Code: P5A (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - SKIN)
- RVU: The relative value units will vary depending on the location and payer.
- Global Days: Not applicable.Additional codes are used for repair, flap, or graft.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This is a surgical procedure, and the TC modifier is not typically applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule information is not readily available and will vary by payer and geographic region.Consult payer specific fee schedules for historical data.
- Specialties:Dermatology, Surgical Oncology
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient