Dermatology Coding Alert

Answer:  Candida antigen injection is a relatively new method for treating warts, not approved by the FDA. In this case, using the code 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) is the safer way to go.

 

Old school: In the past, you coded wart removal with 17000-17003, but revisions to these codes were made in 2007. Today, 17110-17111 is primarily used. The difference is that the old codes previously also included “all benign or premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses).”

 

Remember, code 17110 covers up to 14 lesions; report 17111 for 15 lesions or more.