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2025 CPT code 11421

Excision of a benign lesion (excluding skin tags) on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia, measuring 0.6 to 1.0 cm in diameter, including margins, with simple closure.

Code selection is based on the excised diameter (lesion diameter + margin). Modifier 59 may be used to indicate distinct procedural service when multiple lesions are excised.

Modifiers may be applicable, such as modifier 59 for distinct procedural services.

Medical necessity must be established for the excision.This may include symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or interference with function, or cosmetic concerns, or suspicion of malignancy.

The physician performs the excision, ensures appropriate anesthesia, prepares the surgical site, removes the lesion with appropriate margins, controls bleeding, closes the wound with simple closure, and submits the specimen for analysis if necessary.

IMPORTANT:For lesions 0.5 cm or less, use 11420. For lesions 1.1 to 2.0 cm, use 11422. For lesions 2.1 to 3.0 cm, use 11423.For lesions 3.1 to 4.0 cm, use 11424. For lesions over 4.0 cm, use 11426. For shave removals, see 11300 et seq. For electrosurgical and other methods of destruction, see 17000 et seq.

In simple words: Removal of a non-cancerous skin growth, not a skin tag, between 0.6 and 1.0 cm in size, from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. This includes removing the entire growth and some surrounding skin, and then closing the wound with stitches.

Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm. This includes full-thickness removal of the lesion and margins, and simple (non-layered) closure.Each lesion is reported separately.

Example 1: A patient presents with a 0.8 cm benign cyst on the scalp. The physician excises the cyst with appropriate margins and closes the wound with simple sutures., A patient has a 0.7 cm benign nevus on the hand. The physician excises the nevus and closes the defect with a simple closure., A patient has a 0.9 cm dermatofibroma on the foot. The physician excises the lesion and performs a simple closure.

Documentation should include the location and size of the lesion, the diagnosis, the margins excised, the method of closure, and any complications.

** The ZIP code 11421 is associated with Woodhaven, Queens, New York. This information is irrelevant to the medical billing code 11421.iFrameAI does not provide specific RVU information.

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