17110

Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 17110 designates the destruction of benign skin lesions, excluding skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, for a total of 1 to 14 lesions. 'Destruction' in this context refers to the ablation or complete eradication of benign tissues using various modalities, without the requirement for subsequent surgical closure. The approved clinical methods for destruction include electrosurgery (the application of high-frequency electrical current to dehydrate, coagulate, and vaporize the tissue), cryosurgery (the targeted application of extreme cold, typically utilizing liquid nitrogen, to initiate cellular freezing and necrosis), laser surgery (the utilization of focused, high-intensity light to vaporize or ablate the lesion), chemosurgery (the topical application of caustic chemical agents, such as trichloroacetic acid or cantharidin, to chemically burn away the lesion), and surgical curettement (the physical scraping away of the lesion using a sharp, spoon-shaped instrument, which is often performed in conjunction with electrodessication). In clinical practice, the provider begins by conducting a thorough examination of the patient's integumentary system to identify the precise type, dimensions, and total count of the benign lesions targeted for therapy. Common clinical indications for CPT 17110 include viral warts (such as verruca vulgaris, verruca plana, and verruca plantaris), molluscum contagiosum (a localized viral skin infection presenting as umbilicated papules), and seborrheic keratoses (benign, pigmented, warty epidermal growths). It is critically important to differentiate these lesions from others to ensure accurate coding. Specifically, skin tags (acrochordons) are reported using CPT codes 11200-11201, premalignant lesions such as actinic keratoses are documented with CPT codes 17000-17004, and malignant cutaneous neoplasms are assigned to CPT codes 17260-17286. Furthermore, cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, such as hemangiomas or port-wine stains, fall under different specific codes and are strictly excluded from 17110. Prior to the destructive procedure, the provider cleanses the treatment areas with a standard antiseptic solution. The administration of local anesthesia (e.g., subcutaneous lidocaine injection) or the application of a topical numbing cream is performed at the physician's discretion based on the chosen modality; however, this local anesthesia is inherently bundled into the primary procedure and is never coded separately. During cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is applied using a specialized cryo-spray device or a cotton-tipped applicator until a visible frost or freeze ball thoroughly encompasses the lesion along with a narrow, precise margin of adjacent normal skin. Once the destruction is achieved, the provider assesses the area for hemostasis. Post-procedural care typically involves the application of a topical antibiotic ointment covered by a simple sterile adhesive bandage. Strict adherence to coding guidelines mandates that 17110 is reported a single time per treatment session to represent the eradication of anywhere from 1 to 14 discrete lesions. If the provider destroys 15 or more benign lesions during the identical clinical encounter, the provider must utilize CPT code 17111 in lieu of 17110.

Clinical Indications

  • Verruca vulgaris (common warts)
  • Verruca plantaris (plantar warts)
  • Verruca plana (flat warts)
  • Molluscum contagiosum
  • Seborrheic keratoses
  • Benign pigmented nevi (when destruction is clinically indicated over excision)
  • Condyloma acuminatum (genital warts, when appropriate destruction codes for the specific anatomic site are not more specific)

Procedure Steps

  1. Review patient medical history and clinically verify the number, exact size, and precise anatomic locations of the benign lesions.
  2. Cleanse and prepare the procedural sites using an appropriate medical-grade antiseptic solution.
  3. Administer local anesthesia via subcutaneous injection or apply a topical anesthetic cream to the targeted lesions, if deemed necessary for patient comfort.
  4. Apply the selected destruction method (e.g., targeted application of liquid nitrogen for cryosurgery, laser vaporization, or electrodessication).
  5. Perform surgical curettement, typically if combined with electrosurgery, to physically scrape away and ensure complete removal of the benign tissue base.
  6. Assess the multiple treatment sites to visually confirm adequate tissue destruction and achieve definitive hemostasis if minor capillary bleeding occurs.
  7. Apply a topical antibiotic or soothing ointment followed by sterile dressings or adhesive bandages to the treated areas.
  8. Provide specific post-procedural wound care, hygiene, and follow-up instructions to the patient to ensure optimal healing and prevent secondary infections.

Coding Guidelines

  • Report CPT code 17110 exactly once per treatment session for the destruction of 1 to 14 benign lesions.
  • Do not append multiple units or report 17110 multiple times if lesions are located on different anatomic sites; the code covers the cumulative total of lesions.
  • If exactly 15 or more benign lesions are destroyed during the same encounter, report CPT code 17111 instead of 17110. Never report 17110 and 17111 together.
  • Do not use 17110 for the destruction of premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses); those are strictly reported using CPT codes 17000-17004.
  • Do not use 17110 for the removal of skin tags (acrochordons); skin tag removal must be reported with CPT codes 11200-11201.
  • Local anesthesia is fundamentally included in the destruction service and must not be reported separately.
  • Supplies, such as liquid nitrogen or chemical agents, are generally bundled into the payment for the procedure and are typically not separately payable.

Associated ICD-10 Codes