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The CPT® Code 17270 refers to the destruction of malignant lesions located on specific areas of the body, including the scalp, neck, hands, feet, and genitalia, where the diameter of the lesion is 0.5 cm or less. Malignant lesions of the skin can include various types of cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The procedure involves a thorough examination of the lesion to determine the most suitable method of destruction. Depending on the case, a local anesthetic may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Various techniques can be employed for the destruction of the lesion, including cryosurgery, which utilizes liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion through a series of freeze-thaw cycles. Additionally, surgical curettage, which involves scraping away the lesion, may be followed by electrosurgery to ensure complete destruction. In cases where multiple lesions are present, alternative methods such as chemical or pharmacologic agents or laser resurfacing with a carbon dioxide laser may be utilized. It is important to note that during the destruction process, the physician not only targets the malignant lesion but also removes a surrounding border of normal tissue to minimize the risk of recurrence. For accurate coding, it is essential to use the appropriate CPT® code based on the size of the lesion, with 17270 specifically designated for lesions measuring 0.5 cm or less.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 17270 is indicated for the treatment of malignant skin lesions that require destruction. The specific conditions or symptoms that may warrant this procedure include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 17270 involves several key steps to ensure the effective destruction of the malignant lesion. These steps include:
After the procedure coded under CPT® 17270, patients may require specific post-procedure care to promote healing and monitor for any complications. This may include instructions on how to care for the treatment site, such as keeping it clean and dry, applying topical ointments as prescribed, and avoiding sun exposure. Patients should also be advised to watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to assess the healing process and ensure that the lesion has been adequately treated. Additionally, patients should be informed about the potential for scarring and the importance of regular skin checks to monitor for any new lesions or changes in existing moles.
| Short Descr | DSTR MAL LES S/N/H/F/G .5 /< | Medium Descr | DESTRUCTION MALIGNANT LESION S/N/H/F/G 0.5 CM/< | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less | 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 | 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) | P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin | MUE | 6 | 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). | 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. | 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. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F5 | Right 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) | 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) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | 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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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1992-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1992. |
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