AMA CPT® Assistant - 2000 Issue 8 (August)
Review of the Integumentary Excision of Lesion Codes (11400-11646) (August 2000)
August 2000 pages 5-6 Coding Communication Review of the Integumentary Excision of Lesion Codes (11400-11646) CPT guidelines for excision of benign lesions state: "Excision (including simple closure) of benign lesions of skin or subcutaneous tissues (eg, cicatricial, fibrous, inflammatory, congenital, cystic lesions), including local anesthesia. Excision is defined as full-thickness (through the dermis) removal of the following lesions and includes simple (nonlayered) closure. The closure of defects created by incision, excision, or trauma may require intermediate (layered) closure. Layered closure involves dermal closure with separate suture closure of at least one of the deeper layers of subcutaneous and nonmuscle...
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Article Overview
This CPT coding communication explains how to approach excision of skin and subcutaneous lesions using the integumentary lesion excision code families. It is aimed at coders, billers, and clinical documentation staff who need to understand the scope of the guidelines, how lesion characteristics and location affect code selection, and how related closure and reconstruction concepts intersect with lesion excision coding. The article also touches on scar excision/revision, malignant lesion excision, and when lipoma removal may fall outside the integumentary code set.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate lesion excision coding depends on applying the correct CPT family and understanding which parts of the work are included or separately reported. This matters for compliance, documentation quality, and consistent reporting across benign and malignant lesion cases.
Article Sections
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Coding Communication
Introductory CPT discussion on integumentary lesion excision coding and the general framework for the article.
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Excision of Malignant Lesions
Overview of malignant lesion excision guidance, including how the article frames coding for uncertain lesions and closure considerations.
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Selecting the Correct Code
Discussion of how lesion location and size are used to navigate the lesion excision code families, along with reporting considerations when more than one lesion is involved.
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The Removal of a Lesion
Documentation and measurement principles for lesion removal, including how lesion size is determined for coding purposes.
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Excision of Lipomas
General guidance on when lipoma excision may fit the integumentary lesion excision code set versus other anatomic system coding.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames CPT lesion excision guidance for benign and malignant cases
- How lesion location and size factor into code selection
- How closure concepts relate to lesion excision reporting
- What documentation elements are emphasized for lesion removal
- How the article distinguishes scar excision, lesion excision, and lipoma removal
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Physician documentation staff
- Billing specialists
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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