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The CPT® Code 17276 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 exceeds 4.0 cm. Malignant lesions of the skin can include various types of cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The procedure begins with a thorough examination of the lesion to determine the most suitable method of destruction. Depending on the patient's needs, a local anesthetic may be administered to minimize discomfort 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. Alternatively, surgical curettage may be performed, often followed by electrosurgery to ensure complete removal of the malignant tissue. In cases where multiple lesions are present, treatment may involve the application of chemical or pharmacologic agents, or the use of laser resurfacing techniques, such as those employing a carbon dioxide laser. 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 ensure complete excision and reduce the risk of recurrence. For coding purposes, it is essential to differentiate this procedure from others based on the size of the lesion, with specific codes assigned for lesions of varying diameters, such as 17270 for lesions less than 0.5 cm, 17271 for lesions measuring 0.6-1.0 cm, 17272 for lesions 1.1-2.0 cm, 17273 for lesions 2.1-3.0 cm, and 17274 for lesions 3.1-4.0 cm.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 17276 is indicated for the treatment of malignant skin lesions that are larger than 4.0 cm in diameter. These lesions may include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 17276 involves several key steps to ensure the effective destruction of the malignant lesion. First, the physician conducts a thorough examination of the lesion to assess its characteristics and determine the most appropriate method of destruction. Following this assessment, a local anesthetic may be administered to the patient to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Once the area is adequately numbed, the physician may choose from various destruction techniques. One common method is cryosurgery, where liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion, causing it to freeze. This process typically involves a series of freeze-thaw cycles to ensure complete destruction of the malignant cells. Alternatively, the physician may perform surgical curettage, which involves scraping away the lesion, often followed by electrosurgery to cauterize the area and prevent bleeding. In cases where multiple lesions are present, the physician may opt for chemical or pharmacologic agents to treat the lesions or utilize laser resurfacing techniques, such as carbon dioxide laser therapy. Throughout the procedure, the physician ensures that not only the malignant lesion is destroyed but also a surrounding margin of normal tissue is removed to reduce the risk of recurrence and ensure comprehensive treatment.
After the procedure coded under CPT® 17276, patients may experience some localized swelling, redness, or discomfort in the treated area, which is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. The physician will provide specific post-procedure care instructions, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, applying topical ointments as directed, and monitoring for any signs of infection or unusual changes in the treated area. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and ensure that the lesion has been adequately treated. Patients are advised to avoid sun exposure on the treated area and to follow any additional recommendations provided by their healthcare provider to promote optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | DSTR MAL LES S/N/H/F/G >4.0 | Medium Descr | DSTRJ MAL LESION S/N/H/F/G LESION DIAM > 4.0 CM | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter over 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 | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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.) | 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) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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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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