Coding for Laser Treatments Flashcards

A patient has 3 premalignant actinic keratoses destroyed by laser. Which CPT codes are reported?

Answer: 17000 and 17003 x2

CPT 17000 reports the first premalignant lesion and 17003 is an add-on code reported for each additional lesion (2–14 total), so two units of 17003 are added for lesions 2 and 3.

Laser treatment for psoriasis covering 300 sq cm is reported with which CPT code?

Answer: 96921

CPT 96921 reports laser treatment for inflammatory skin disease (such as psoriasis) when the total treatment area is 250–500 sq cm.

When a physician performs laser hair removal using an unlisted technique, which CPT code is most appropriate?

Answer: 17999

CPT 17999 is the unlisted procedure code for the skin and subcutaneous tissue, used when no specific code describes the laser hair removal service.

A coder is reporting destruction of cutaneous vascular lesions covering 8 sq cm via laser. Which CPT code applies?

Answer: 17106

CPT 17106 reports destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions with a total treatment area less than 10 sq cm.

Which modifier is appended to a laser destruction code when the procedure is performed on the same day as a separate, significant E/M service?

Answer: Modifier 25

Modifier 25 is appended to the E/M code—not the procedure code—to indicate that a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service was performed on the same day as the procedure.

CPT 17004 is reported when how many premalignant lesions are destroyed in a single session?

Answer: 15 or more lesions

CPT 17004 is a standalone code reported when 15 or more premalignant lesions are destroyed; it replaces 17000 + 17003 when the count reaches 15.

A laser is used to destroy 10 benign lesions other than skin tags or vascular lesions. Which CPT code is correct?

Answer: 17110

CPT 17110 reports destruction of benign lesions (other than skin tags or vascular lesions) when up to 14 lesions are treated in a single session.