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Official Description

Excision, tumor, soft tissue of upper arm or elbow area, subcutaneous; less than 3 cm

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 24075 refers to the excision of a tumor located in the soft tissue of the upper arm or elbow area, specifically when the tumor is subcutaneous and measures less than 3 cm in size. Soft tissues encompass a variety of structures, including subcutaneous fat, connective tissue, fascia, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues surrounding joints. Tumors that arise in these soft tissues can be either benign or malignant. Typically, benign tumors are treated through excision, while small malignant or indeterminate tumors may also be excised if they have well-defined margins. The procedure involves making an incision in the skin over the tumor or creating and elevating a skin flap, followed by dissection of the overlying tissue to expose the soft tissue mass. The tumor is excised along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. In some cases, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed during the procedure to confirm that all margins are free of tumor cells. After the excision, drains may be placed as necessary, and the surgical wound is closed in layers. For accurate coding, it is important to differentiate between tumors based on their size and location; for instance, CPT® Code 24075 is used for excisions of tumors less than 3 cm, while other codes apply for larger tumors or those located deeper than the fascia.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 24075 is indicated for the excision of soft tissue tumors located in the upper arm or elbow area. The specific indications for this procedure include:

  • Benign Tumors These tumors are typically non-cancerous and may require excision to alleviate symptoms or for cosmetic reasons.
  • Small Malignant Tumors Tumors that are malignant or indeterminate in nature may be excised if they have well-defined margins, allowing for complete removal.
  • Subcutaneous Tumors Tumors located in the subcutaneous fat or connective tissue that measure less than 3 cm are specifically indicated for this procedure.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a soft tissue tumor in the upper arm or elbow area, as described by CPT® Code 24075, involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical area is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure the patient is comfortable during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Incision An incision is made over the tumor site. Depending on the tumor's location, the surgeon may choose to incise the skin directly over the tumor or create a skin flap that can be elevated to provide better access to the tumor.
  • Step 3: Dissection The overlying tissue is carefully dissected to expose the soft tissue mass. This step requires precision to avoid damaging surrounding structures such as nerves and blood vessels.
  • Step 4: Tumor Excision The tumor is excised along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. This margin is critical for reducing the risk of recurrence, especially in cases of malignant tumors.
  • Step 5: Frozen Section Analysis If necessary, a frozen section may be performed to evaluate the margins of the excised tumor. This step helps confirm that no cancerous cells remain at the edges of the excised tissue.
  • Step 6: Closure After the tumor has been removed, the surgical site is closed in layers. Drains may be placed if there is a risk of fluid accumulation, and the skin is sutured to promote proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the excision of a soft tissue tumor includes monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound healing. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow any specific instructions provided by the surgeon regarding activity restrictions. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and to discuss the results of any frozen section analysis performed during the procedure. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the incision site, to their healthcare provider promptly.

Short Descr EXC ARM/ELBOW LES SC < 3 CM
Medium Descr EXC TUMOR SOFT TISS UPPER ARM/ELBOW SUBQ <3CM
Long Descr Excision, tumor, soft tissue of upper arm or elbow area, subcutaneous; less than 3 cm
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 5
CCS Clinical Classification 170 - Excision of skin lesion
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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).
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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
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
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
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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