CPCA Coding for Laser Treatments Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient undergoes a full-face CO2 ablative laser resurfacing procedure to treat severe photodamage and rhytides.
The procedure removes the epidermis and penetrates the papillary dermis.
Which CPT® code is most appropriate for this service?

Accepted Answer

15780 (Dermabrasion; total face)

Answer

17110 (Destruction of benign lesions... up to 14 lesions)

Answer

96921 (Laser treatment for inflammatory skin disease... 250 to 500 sq cm)

Answer

17999 (Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue)

Question 2

When coding for the laser destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions, such as telangiectasias, using the 17106-17108 code set, what is the primary determinant for correct code selection?

Accepted Answer

The number of lesions treated

Answer

The total surface area in square centimeters

Answer

The specific type of laser technology utilized

Answer

The anatomical location of the lesions (e.g., face vs. trunk)

Question 3

A patient with numerous actinic keratoses on the face undergoes photodynamic therapy (PDT). The physician's staff applies a photosensitizing drug, which incubates for 60 minutes. The physician then personally administers blue light therapy to activate the drug. How should the physician's service for the PDT session be reported?

Accepted Answer

96573 (Photodynamic therapy... with local application and incubation... per day)

Answer

96999 (Unlisted special dermatological service or procedure)

Answer

17000 and 17003 (Destruction of premalignant lesions)

Answer

96567 (Photodynamic therapy... by patient application of light source)

Question 4

A patient receives a non-ablative fractional laser treatment on their full face to improve skin texture. This procedure heats the underlying dermal tissue to stimulate collagen production without removing the epidermal layer. Which of the following is the most appropriate CPT® code to report?

Accepted Answer

17999 (Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue)

Answer

15780 (Dermabrasion; total face)

Answer

96900 (Actinotherapy (ultraviolet light))

Answer

17110 (Destruction of benign lesions... up to 14 lesions)

Question 5

A patient undergoes laser tattoo removal for a 15 sq cm black ink tattoo on the upper arm. Which CPT® code should be used to report this service?

Accepted Answer

17999 (Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue)

Answer

15783 (Dermabrasion; superficial, any site, e.g., tattoo removal)

Answer

11920 (Tattooing, intradermal introduction...; 6.0 sq cm or less)

Answer

17110 (Destruction of benign lesions...)

Question 6

A physician performs laser hair removal on the chin of a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of hirsutism (L68.0), which is causing the patient significant emotional distress. Which CPT® code should be reported for the procedure?

Accepted Answer

17999 (Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue)

Answer

17380 (Electrolysis epilation, each 30 minutes)

Answer

17110 (Destruction of benign lesions...)

Answer

There is no reportable code for this service.