Urology Coding Alert
Simplify Complex Penile Lesion Destruction
Question: How should I code for laser destruction of penile lesions with CO2 laser when there are 50 or more lesions to treat? We do this in-hospital. North Dakota Subscriber Answer: CPT codes 54057 (Destruction of lesion[s], penis [e.g., condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle], simple; laser surgery) and 54065 (Destruction of lesion[s], penis [e.g., condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle], extensive [e.g., laser surgery, electro-surgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery]) correctly identify the procedure you are trying to code, depending on whether the destruction of the lesions would be classified as simple or complex.
If we assume the destruction of the lesions was simple, strict interpretation of 54057 indicates that you should only report the code once regardless of the number of lesions removed. However, it may be the case that a large number of lesions removed may classify the procedure as extensive. Your best option is to call your carrier and ask them whether the number of lesions can designate a procedure as "extensive," in which case 54065 would be the appropriate code. For the above case, experts recommend using 54065 as the proper CPT code. Also sequence codes 17000 to 17111 for similar lesions found in the genital area outside of the area of the penis.
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