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The CPT® Code 11424 refers to the excision of a benign lesion, which is a non-cancerous growth, from specific areas of the body including the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. This procedure is performed on lesions that are not classified as skin tags, unless they are specified in other coding categories. The excised lesion has a diameter ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 centimeters. Common types of benign lesions that may be excised using this code include lipomas, which are fatty tumors; dermatofibromas, which are fibrous skin growths; pyogenic granulomas, which are small, red, and raised lesions; epidermoid cysts, which are small lumps beneath the skin; and benign nevi, commonly known as moles. During the procedure, the area surrounding the lesion is thoroughly cleansed, and a local anesthetic is administered to minimize discomfort. A careful identification of a narrow margin of healthy tissue surrounding the lesion is crucial, as this ensures complete removal of the lesion along with a buffer of normal tissue to reduce the risk of recurrence. A full-thickness incision is made through the dermis, encircling the lesion, and the entire growth is excised. The excised tissue is then sent to a laboratory for histologic evaluation, which is a separate reportable service. To manage any bleeding that may occur during the procedure, electrocautery or chemical cautery techniques are employed. After the excision, the surgical wound may be closed using a simple single-layer suture technique; however, more complex closure methods such as intermediate (layer) closure, complex repair, skin grafts, or pedicle flaps may also be utilized depending on the specific circumstances of the excision and the wound's characteristics.
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The procedure coded as CPT® 11424 is indicated for the excision of benign lesions located on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. These lesions must not be skin tags unless specified otherwise in different coding categories. The specific conditions or types of benign lesions that may warrant this procedure include:
The procedure for excising a benign lesion as described by CPT® 11424 involves several critical steps to ensure the complete removal of the lesion along with an adequate margin of healthy tissue. The first step is to cleanse the area surrounding the lesion thoroughly to minimize the risk of infection. Following this, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure. Next, the physician identifies a narrow margin of healthy tissue around the lesion, which is essential for complete excision and to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. A full-thickness incision is then made through the dermis, encircling the lesion. This incision is carefully executed to ensure that the entire lesion, along with the surrounding healthy tissue, is removed. Once the lesion is excised, it is sent to a laboratory for histologic evaluation, which is a separate reportable service that provides important information regarding the nature of the lesion. During the excision, any bleeding that occurs is controlled using electrocautery or chemical cautery techniques, which help to minimize blood loss and promote a cleaner surgical field. After the lesion has been successfully removed, the surgical wound may be closed using a simple single-layer suture technique. However, depending on the size and complexity of the wound, alternative closure methods such as intermediate (layer) closure, complex repair, skin grafts, or pedicle flaps may be employed to ensure optimal healing and cosmetic results.
Post-procedure care following the excision of a benign lesion coded under CPT® 11424 typically involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients are often advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow specific instructions regarding wound care, which may include changing dressings and applying topical ointments as directed. Recovery time can vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the excision, but patients are generally encouraged to avoid strenuous activities that may stress the surgical site. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to assess healing and to remove sutures if they were used for closure. Additionally, patients should be informed about the importance of monitoring the excised area for any changes and to report any concerns to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | EXC H-F-NK-SP B9+MARG 3.1-4 | Medium Descr | EXC B9 LESION MRGN XCP SK TG S/N/H/F/G 3.1-4.0CM | Long Descr | Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 010 - 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin | MUE | 2 | 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. | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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. | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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.) | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 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.) | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AF | Specialty physician | AG | Primary physician | 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 | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | 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 | 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 | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 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 | PO | 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 | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T6 | Right foot, second digit | TA | Left foot, great toe | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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 |
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| 2003-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |