Reader Questions:
Single Code Covers Multiple Wart Removals
Published on Thu Jun 03, 2010
Question:
When we code for removal of warts, do we use the code for each wart, or do the codes cover multiple removals? Virginia Subscriber
Answer:
CPT includes two codes based on the number of warts removed during a single session. According to CPT guidelines, report 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) when you remove 14 or fewer lesions. Choose 17111 (
... 15 or more lesions) for more than 14 lesions.