Question

Dr. Baker has submitted a report for the removal of a skin tag from a patient’s chest. What bases need to be followed for coding skin tag removal?

Answer 1

Answer: Skin tags are often confused with moles, which are another kind of skin deformity, but are very different from each other. Skin tags are small, soft pieces of skin that stick out from the skin. They have thick stems, and are almost always harmless and benign. Skin tags tend to occur on the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin folds. A more effective way of removing skin tags is via the use of surgical scissors. The advantage of scissor removal is that the growth is immediately removed and there are instant results. The potential disadvantage of any kind of scissor or minor surgical procedure to remove tags is minor bleeding.

While skin tags don’t generally require any treatment, many people often choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons, or because they cause discomfort when they rub against clothing or get caught in jewelry

CPT code 17110 should be reported with one unit of service for removal of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions, up to 14 lesions. CPT code 17111 is also reported with one unit of service representing 15 or more lesions.