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Official Description

Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); 2 to 4 lesions

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A benign hyperkeratotic lesion, such as a corn or callus, is characterized by an area of thickened skin that develops as a response to pressure or friction. Corns are typically smaller, localized areas of thickened skin that often form on the toes, while calluses are larger, more diffuse areas of thickened skin that can develop on the soles of the feet or other areas subjected to repeated stress. These lesions can cause discomfort or pain, particularly when they press against underlying tissues. The procedure described by CPT® Code 11056 involves the paring or cutting of two to four such lesions to alleviate symptoms and improve comfort. This technique is performed using a scalpel to carefully trim down the thickened skin, thereby reducing pressure on the affected areas. It is important to note that this procedure is specifically indicated for benign lesions that require intervention due to their symptomatic nature.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 11056 is indicated for the removal of benign hyperkeratotic lesions, specifically when these lesions cause discomfort or pain due to pressure on underlying tissues. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Corns - Small, localized areas of thickened skin that typically form on the toes and can cause pain when pressure is applied.
  • Calluses - Larger areas of thickened skin that develop on the soles of the feet or other areas subjected to repeated friction, leading to discomfort.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 11056 involves several key steps to ensure the effective removal of the benign hyperkeratotic lesions. Each step is crucial for achieving the desired outcome while minimizing discomfort for the patient.

  • Step 1: Preparation - The area surrounding the lesions is prepared by cleaning the skin to reduce the risk of infection. This may involve the use of antiseptic solutions to ensure a sterile environment.
  • Step 2: Identification - The physician identifies the specific lesions to be treated, ensuring that the correct number of lesions (two to four) is addressed during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Paring or Cutting - Using a scalpel, the physician carefully pares down or cuts the thickened skin of the lesions. This step requires precision to effectively remove the hyperkeratotic tissue while preserving the surrounding healthy skin.
  • Step 4: Post-Procedure Care - After the lesions have been removed, the area may be cleaned again, and a dressing may be applied to protect the site and promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the procedure, patients may experience some tenderness or sensitivity in the treated areas. It is important to monitor the sites for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and dry, and they may be instructed on how to care for the sites at home. Recovery is generally quick, with many patients able to resume normal activities shortly after the procedure. However, it is essential to follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by the healthcare professional to ensure optimal healing and prevent recurrence of the lesions.

Short Descr PARNG/CUTG B9 HYPRKR LES 2-4
Medium Descr PARING/CUTTING BENIGN HYPERKERATOTIC LESION 2-4
Long Descr Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (eg, corn or callus); 2 to 4 lesions
Status Code Restricted Coverage
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 170 - Excision of skin lesion
Q8 Two class b findings
Q9 One class b and two class c findings
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q7 One class a finding
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
TA Left foot, great toe
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
T5 Right foot, great toe
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
T2 Left foot, third digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
T1 Left foot, second digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
56 Preoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another performed the surgical procedure, the preoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 56 to the usual procedure number.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
A8 Dressing for eight wounds
A9 Dressing for nine or more wounds
AF Specialty physician
AG Primary physician
AJ Clinical social worker
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F6 Right hand, second digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
GE This service has been performed by a resident without the presence of a teaching physician under the primary care exception
GF Non-physician (e.g. nurse practitioner (np), certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna), certified registered nurse (crn), clinical nurse specialist (cns), physician assistant (pa)) services in a critical access hospital
KQ Second or subsequent drug of a multiple drug unit dose formulation
PB Surgical or other invasive procedure on wrong patient
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q2 Demonstration procedure/service
Q3 Live kidney donor surgery and related services
QA Prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts is less than 1 liter per minute (lpm)
QB Prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts exceeds 4 liters per minute (lpm) and portable oxygen is prescribed
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
QQ Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional
QW Clia waived test
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
SC Medically necessary service or supply
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
TL Early intervention/individualized family service plan (ifsp)
TT Individualized service provided to more than one patient in same setting
UA Medicaid level of care 10, as defined by each state
UD Medicaid level of care 13, as defined by each state
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
Date
Action
Notes
2024-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1998-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1998.
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