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The CPT® Code 17263 refers to the destruction of a malignant lesion located on the trunk, arms, or legs, specifically when the diameter of the lesion measures between 2.1 to 3.0 centimeters. Malignant lesions, which are abnormal growths that can invade surrounding tissues and potentially spread to other parts of the body, may be treated through various destruction techniques rather than excision. This is particularly applicable for certain types of skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma, as well as lesions that have not penetrated into the deeper layers of the dermis. The procedure typically begins with a thorough examination of the lesion to determine the most suitable method of destruction. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Common techniques for lesion destruction include cryosurgery, which involves freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen; surgical curettage, where the lesion is scraped away followed by electrosurgery; chemosurgery, which utilizes a chemical or pharmacologic agent to destroy the lesion; and laser destruction, often performed with a carbon dioxide laser. This code is part of a series that categorizes lesions based on their size, with specific codes assigned for different diameter ranges, ensuring precise coding and billing for the services rendered.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 17263 is indicated for the treatment of malignant lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs that fall within a specific size range. The following conditions warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 17263 involves several key steps to ensure effective destruction of the malignant lesion. The following procedural steps are typically followed:
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 17263, patients may require specific post-procedure care to promote healing and monitor for any complications. It is important for patients to follow the provider's instructions regarding wound care, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, applying topical medications if prescribed, and avoiding sun exposure to the treated area. Patients should also be advised to watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and ensure that the lesion has been adequately treated. The expected recovery time can vary depending on the individual and the specific technique used, but most patients can resume normal activities relatively quickly, barring any complications.
| Short Descr | DSTRJ MAL LES T/A/L 2.1-3.0 | Medium Descr | DESTRUCTION MAL LESION TRUNK/ARM/LEG 2.1-3.0CM | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 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 | 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 | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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. | 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.) | AM | Physician, team member service | 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) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | 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 |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1992-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1992. |
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