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Official Description

Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter over 2.0 cm

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 11313 involves the shaving of a single epidermal or dermal lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane, specifically when the lesion has a diameter exceeding 2.0 cm. This technique is commonly employed 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, thereby preserving the integrity of the subcutaneous layer beneath. Prior to the shaving process, the area is thoroughly cleansed, and a local anesthetic is administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. The actual removal of the lesion is performed using a surgical blade, which may involve either a transverse incision or repetitive horizontal slicing in a consistent direction. Following the excision, the physician carefully inspects the surrounding tissue to confirm that the entire lesion has been successfully removed. 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. It is important to note that different CPT codes are designated for lesions of varying sizes, with CPT® Code 11310 applicable for lesions measuring 0.5 cm or less, CPT® Code 11311 for lesions between 0.6 and 1.0 cm, CPT® Code 11312 for lesions ranging from 1.1 to 2.0 cm, and CPT® Code 11313 specifically for lesions that exceed 2.0 cm in diameter.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions using CPT® Code 11313 is indicated for the removal of specific types of lesions that meet certain criteria. These indications include:

  • Single Lesion The procedure is performed on a single epidermal or dermal lesion.
  • Location The lesion is located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.
  • Lesion Size The diameter of the lesion exceeds 2.0 cm.
  • Type of Lesion Commonly includes pedunculated lesions, seborrheic keratoses, fibrous papules, or other lesions with minimal dermal components.

2. Procedure

The procedure for shaving an epidermal or dermal lesion as described by CPT® Code 11313 involves several key steps:

  • Preparation The area surrounding the lesion is first cleansed to reduce the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then administered to ensure the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure.
  • Lesion Removal The physician uses a surgical blade to remove the lesion. This is accomplished through either a transverse incision or by performing repetitive horizontal slicing in the same direction. The goal is to excise the lesion while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Tissue Inspection After the lesion has been removed, the physician inspects the surrounding tissue to confirm that the entire lesion has been excised. This step is crucial to ensure complete removal and to minimize the risk of recurrence.
  • Wound Management Once the lesion is confirmed to be fully removed, the edges of the wound are smoothed to promote healing. Any bleeding that occurs is controlled using electrocautery or chemical cautery, which helps to minimize blood loss and promote clotting.
  • Specimen Handling The shaved specimen is collected and sent to a laboratory for histologic evaluation. This evaluation is reportable separately and is essential for determining the nature of the lesion and ensuring appropriate follow-up care.

3. Post-Procedure

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 also important for patients to be aware of any potential signs of complications, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the site. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and to discuss the results of the histologic evaluation of the specimen.

Short Descr SHAVE SKIN LESION >2.0 CM
Medium Descr SHAVING SKIN LESION 1 F/E/E/N/L/M DIAM >2.0 CM
Long Descr Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; 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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 3
CCS Clinical Classification 170 - Excision of skin lesion
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.)
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.
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.
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).
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
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
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
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
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)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
1993-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1993.
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