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The procedure described by CPT® Code 17286 involves the destruction of a malignant lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes, specifically when the diameter of the lesion exceeds 4.0 cm. This procedure can be performed using various techniques, including laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, or surgical curettement. The choice of destruction method is determined after a thorough examination of the lesion, taking into account its characteristics and the most effective approach for treatment. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Common techniques include cryosurgery, which utilizes liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the lesion, and surgical curettage, which may be followed by electrosurgery to remove the lesion effectively. Other methods such as chemosurgery, which involves the application of a chemical or pharmacologic agent, and laser destruction using a carbon dioxide laser, are also utilized. It is important to note that while excision is a common treatment for many malignant lesions, certain types, such as squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma, may be more appropriately treated with these destruction techniques, especially when the lesions have not invaded deeper layers of the dermis.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure is indicated for the treatment of malignant lesions located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes, particularly when the diameter of the lesion exceeds 4.0 cm. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 17286 involves several key steps to ensure effective destruction of the malignant lesion. The following procedural steps are typically followed:
Post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery and monitoring of the treatment area. Patients may be advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow any specific instructions provided by the physician regarding wound care. It is important to monitor for any signs of infection or complications, such as excessive bleeding or unusual swelling. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and to determine if any further treatment is necessary. The expected recovery time can vary based on the method of destruction used and the individual patient's response to the procedure.
| Short Descr | DSTR MAL LS F/E/E/N/L/M>4.0 | Medium Descr | DESTRUCTION MAL LESION F/E/E/N/L/M >4.0 CM | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; 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 |
| 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. | 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.) | 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). | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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.) | 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 | 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 | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right 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 |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description 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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