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The procedure described by CPT® Code 11303 involves the shaving of a single epidermal or dermal lesion located on the trunk, arms, or legs, specifically when the lesion has a diameter exceeding 2.0 cm. This technique is commonly utilized for the removal of various types of lesions, including pedunculated lesions, seborrheic keratoses, fibrous papules, and other similar growths that possess a minimal dermal component. The shaving procedure is designed to extend only to the middle dermis, ensuring that the underlying subcutaneous layer remains intact, which is crucial for preserving the integrity of the surrounding tissue. Prior to the shaving process, the area is thoroughly cleansed, and a local anesthetic is administered to minimize discomfort for the patient. The actual removal of the lesion is performed using a surgical blade, which may involve either a transverse incision or repetitive horizontal slicing in the same direction to effectively excise the lesion. Following the removal, the physician inspects the surrounding tissue to confirm that the entire lesion has been excised. To finalize the procedure, the edges of the wound are smoothed, and any bleeding is controlled through the use of electrocautery or chemical cautery. Additionally, the shaved specimen is sent to a laboratory for histologic evaluation, which is reportable separately. This code is part of a series that categorizes lesion removals based on their size, with specific codes designated for lesions of varying diameters, ensuring accurate coding and billing for the procedure performed.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions using CPT® Code 11303 is indicated for the removal of a single lesion located on the trunk, arms, or legs when the lesion has a diameter greater than 2.0 cm. This procedure is typically performed for various types of lesions that may include:
The procedure for shaving an epidermal or dermal lesion as described by CPT® Code 11303 involves several key steps:
Post-procedure care following the shaving of an epidermal or dermal lesion includes monitoring the site for any signs of infection or complications. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow any specific instructions provided by the physician regarding wound care. It is important for patients to avoid picking at the site and to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the individual and the size of the lesion removed, but generally, patients can expect to resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, with full healing occurring over a period of days to weeks. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and to discuss the results of the histologic evaluation of the specimen.
| Short Descr | SHAVE SKIN LESION >2.0 CM | Medium Descr | SHVG SKIN LESION 1 TRUNK/ARM/LEG DIAM >2.0 CM | Long Descr | Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter over 2.0 cm | Status Code | Active Code | 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) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - 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) | P6A - Minor procedures - skin | MUE | 3 | CCS Clinical Classification | 170 - Excision of skin lesion |
| 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). | 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. | 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.) | 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. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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. | 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.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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 | E4 | Lower right, eyelid | FA | Left hand, thumb | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | 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 | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | T7 | Right foot, third digit | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Short Descriptor changed. |
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
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