Billing and Coding: Benign Skin Lesion Removal (Excludes Actinic Keratosis, and Mohs)

CPT codes 17106–17108 (benign skin lesion destruction) are generally considered cosmetic and are covered only when clinical records document medical necessity and explicitly explain why the procedure is not cosmetic. CPT codes 11055–11057 (treatment of hyperkeratotic lesions such as corns and calluses) are covered per the Medicare Internet-Only Manual; this policy excludes actinic keratosis and Mohs surgery.

"Removal of benign skin lesions billed with CPT 17106, 17107, or 17108 is covered only when clinical records document medical necessity and explicitly state why the procedure is not cosmetic."

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