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Official Description

Injection, intralesional; more than 7 lesions

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Intralesional injection is a medical procedure that involves the administration of a pharmacologic agent directly into a lesion or multiple lesions on the skin. This technique is particularly effective for delivering medications, such as corticosteroids, directly to the site of inflammation or abnormal tissue growth. Corticosteroids are commonly utilized in this procedure due to their anti-inflammatory properties, making them suitable for treating a variety of conditions, including acute or chronic inflammatory processes, hyperplastic and hypertrophic skin disorders, and other dermatological issues. During the procedure, a syringe filled with the chosen pharmacologic agent is equipped with a fine needle, which is then carefully inserted beneath the skin at the targeted lesion site. Once in position, the medication is injected, allowing it to disperse slowly through the dermis. This method provides prolonged localized therapy, ensuring that the medication remains effective at the site of injection for an extended period. It is important to note that CPT® Code 11901 is specifically designated for cases involving more than seven lesions, while CPT® Code 11900 is used for up to and including seven lesions.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Intralesional injection is indicated for various dermatological conditions that require localized treatment. The following are the specific indications for this procedure:

  • Acute Inflammatory Processes Intralesional injections are often performed to manage acute inflammatory conditions, where rapid intervention is necessary to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
  • Chronic Inflammatory Processes This procedure is also indicated for chronic inflammatory skin disorders, providing targeted therapy to areas that may not respond well to systemic treatments.
  • Hyperplastic Skin Disorders Conditions characterized by excessive growth of skin cells, such as keloids or hypertrophic scars, can benefit from intralesional corticosteroid injections to reduce size and improve appearance.
  • Hypertrophic Skin Disorders Similar to hyperplastic disorders, hypertrophic conditions involve thickened skin that may require localized treatment to manage symptoms and improve skin texture.
  • Other Dermatological Conditions Intralesional injections may also be indicated for various other skin conditions as determined by the treating physician, based on the specific needs of the patient.

2. Procedure

The procedure for intralesional injection involves several key steps to ensure effective delivery of the pharmacologic agent. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The healthcare provider prepares the injection site by cleaning the area with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. The pharmacologic agent, typically a corticosteroid, is drawn into a syringe, ensuring that the correct dosage is ready for administration.
  • Step 2: Identification of Lesions The provider identifies the lesions that require treatment. For CPT® Code 11901, more than seven lesions will be targeted during this procedure. The provider may mark the lesions for clarity and to ensure accurate injection.
  • Step 3: Injection Technique Using a fine needle attached to the syringe, the provider carefully inserts the needle into the dermis at the site of each lesion. The pharmacologic agent is then injected slowly, allowing it to disperse through the dermis. This technique ensures that the medication is delivered directly to the affected area.
  • Step 4: Post-Injection Care After the injections are completed, the provider may apply a sterile dressing to the injection sites if necessary. The patient is monitored for any immediate adverse reactions, and instructions for post-procedure care are provided.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the intralesional injection procedure, patients may experience some localized swelling, redness, or discomfort at the injection sites, which typically resolves within a few days. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include avoiding strenuous activities or applying topical treatments as directed. Patients should also be advised to monitor the injection sites for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, or discharge, and to contact their healthcare provider if any concerning symptoms arise. Regular follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and determine if additional injections are necessary.

Short Descr INJECT SKIN LESIONS >7
Medium Descr INJECTION INTRALESIONAL >7 LESIONS
Long Descr Injection, intralesional; more than 7 lesions
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) 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) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 231 - Other therapeutic procedures
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.
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).
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.)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AG Primary physician
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.)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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.
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.
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
FA Left hand, thumb
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
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)
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
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)
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
TA Left foot, great toe
U7 Medicaid level of care 7, as defined by each state
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
X3 Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital
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
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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