Are you a dermatologist who wants to keep current on the CPT codes that are most commonly used in your specialty? Look nowhere else! This article will examine the most frequent dermatological CPT codes and discuss how they may help you give your patients the best treatment possible.
What is dermatology, and what are its procedures?
Dermatology is a healthcare field that prevents, detects, and treats skin, hair, and nail diseases. Dermatology procedures treat skin, hair, and nail diseases, including topical lotions, ointments, skin transplants, and laser treatments. Dermatologists can treat everything from rashes to melanoma. They provide patients with Botox, chemical peels, and laser hair removal-related treatments.
Frequently Used CPT Codes in Dermatology
Evaluation and Management CPT Codes for Dermatology
The CPT codes for evaluating and caring for dermatological conditions are organized into broad groups, such as consultations, office visits, and hospital visits.
99203: Specifics of a new patient’s office or another outpatient appointment for diagnosis and treatment.
99213: An established patient will have a 15-minute office or another outpatient visit for an examination and care.
99214: Visits to a doctor’s office or another outpatient setting for a patient’s assessment and management are described.
Laser Light Therapy CPT Codes
Several laser wavelengths are used in laser therapy to treat various skin problems and for aesthetic reasons.
96920 and 96921: Laser therapy for inflammatory skin conditions
Wound Healing CPT Codes
Wound closures can be simple, moderate, or elaborate, depending on the repair’s extent.
12031 and 12032: Reconstructive; ad interim; scalp, axillary, trunk, and limb wounds (excluding hands and feet).
13120 and 13121: Complications; extensive; scalp, arm, and leg repair.
Pathology CPT Codes
Pathology methods use sophisticated laboratory tests and apparatus to examine skin and tissue at the microscopic cellular level.
88305: Surgical pathology, including a gross and microscopic analysis, is required at Level IV.
88304: Surgical pathology, including a gross and microscopic analysis, is the focus of a level III analysis.
88312: Distinctive stain with report and interpretation.
88341: Analyses involving immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry.
Treatments using Phototherapy
Phototherapy uses UV radiation to treat eczema and psoriasis.
96900: This CPT code refers to actinotherapy or UV light therapy purposes.
96910: Tar and UVB light, also known as photochemotherapy.
96567: Exogenous photodynamic therapy for the treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions.
J7308: CPT code J7308 refers to intranasal aminolaevulinic acid hydrochloride, a medication used to treat certain skin conditions such as actinic keratosis. It is administered through the nose.
Removal of Lesion CPT Codes
Any procedure, such as electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser surgery, or chemical therapy, can eradicate benign, premalignant, or malignant lesions. Several procedure codes may be used if several lesions are removed.
17000: Removal of initial lesions, such as actinic keratoses, are premalignant lesions.
17003: Destruction of 2 to 14 premalignant lesions, such as actinic keratoses.
17110: Eliminating up to 14 benign lesions outside the categories of skin tags and cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions.
Other standard CPT codes for lesion removal
11403: Excision, benign lesion includes margins, trunk, arms, or legs.
11603: Trunk, arms, or legs; excision of malignant tumor, including margins.
Micrographic surgery using Mohs
The eradication of skin cancer is done during this surgical procedure. Typically, Mohs surgery involves the excision of tumor tissue followed by a pathologic evaluation.
17311: First stage of the Mohs micrographic technique is on the head, neck, hands, and feet.
17312: On the head, neck, hands, and feet using the Mohs micrographic technique at each new stage.
17313: The first step of the Mohs micrographic technique is on the trunk, arms, and legs.
17314: Use the Mohs micrographic technique at each new level on the arms, legs, and trunk.
Body biopsy CPT Codes
A dermatologist takes skin samples from the body’s surface during a skin biopsy. The cells obtained will be studied to learn about specific diseases or skin disorders.
11102: Skin biopsy was taken tangentially; one lesion.
11103: Skin tangential biopsy; every extra or unique lesion.
11104: This code is used for a single skin lesion punch biopsy.
11105: This code is used for each additional/separate lesion that requires a skin punch biopsy.
11106: This code is used for a skin biopsy by incision of a single lesion.
11107: This code is used for each additional/separate lesion that requires a skin biopsy by incision.
40490: Lip biopsies. This code is used for biopsies of the lips.
69100: External ear biopsy. This code is used explicitly for biopsies of the external ear.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dermatology requires a deep understanding of CPT codes to diagnose and treat patients effectively. Dermatologists can provide top-notch care with the correct skills. Healthcare practitioners may diagnose and treat patients correctly by recognizing the most common CPT codes that are used in dermatology. For accurate billing and reimbursement, these codes must be recognized.