2025 CPT code 17000
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Feed
Destruction of premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses); first lesion.
Modifiers may be applicable in certain circumstances. Refer to current CPT guidelines for modifier usage.
Medical necessity for destruction of premalignant lesions is based on the potential for these lesions to develop into skin cancer if left untreated. Documentation should support the diagnosis and the chosen treatment method.
The physician prepares the patient and may administer local anesthesia. Then, they destroy the premalignant lesion using a chosen method (laser, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or curettage) without damaging the surrounding tissue.This code is specifically for the first lesion treated.
In simple words: This code refers to the procedure of removing a precancerous skin lesion. The doctor uses a method like freezing, burning, or scraping to destroy the lesion. This code is used for the first lesion treated during the visit.
Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement) of all benign or premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses) other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; first lesion.
Example 1: A patient presents with a single actinic keratosis on their forehead. The physician performs cryosurgery to destroy the lesion., A patient has two actinic keratoses, one on each cheek.The physician uses electrosurgery to destroy the first lesion. Code 17000 is reported, along with 17003 for the second lesion., A patient has multiple actinic keratoses on their face and scalp.The first lesion is treated with laser surgery. 17000 is reported for the first lesion and additional codes would be used depending on the number of additional lesions treated.
Documentation should include the location, size, and number of lesions treated, the method of destruction used, and any anesthesia administered. Photographs may also be helpful.
- Specialties:Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Family Medicine, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center