Wart or Molluscum Destruction
(CPT code 17110 & 17111)
What code is used to bill for destruction of molluscum contagiosum or plantar warts?
The year 2007 brought new codes for lesion destruction. CPT codes 17110 and 17111 are now used for destruction of common or plantar warts. The codes 17110 and 17111 have been revised to include destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions. Coders should no longer use CPT codes 17000 and 17003 for destruction of warts or molluscum contagiosum, as these codes now exclude destruction of benign lesions.
If the physician destroys one to fourteen warts (or molluscum), then you code CPT code 17110. Only code 17100 once, even if the physician has destroyed fourteen lesions.
If the physician destroys fifteen or more warts (or molluscum), then use code 17111. Even if the physician destroys thirty-five warts, it is appropriate to only use the code 17111 a single time.
Formal definitions of the codes are as follows:
- 17110 - Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions; up to 14 lesions
- 17111 - 15 or more lesions
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