CPT codes, or Current Procedural Terminology codes, allow doctors and medical professionals to report medical services and procedures uniformly, easily, and accurately. Modifiers can be added to CPT codes to describe a procedure further or add extra details. Your dermatology practice can benefit from knowing the most updated CPT codes, as shown below for 2023.
Changes to Codes 2023
The updated CPT codes for 2023, released by the American Medical Association (AMA) at the end of 2022, made a few changes to the current codes. These include establishing one set of evaluation and management services (E/M) guidelines, which should help make coding more streamlined throughout inpatient and outpatient practices. Additionally:
- Level one consultation codes 99241 and 99251 have been deleted
- The code 99281 may not require the presence of a physician or other qualified healthcare professional
Common Dermatology CPT Codes 2023
The following are the newest CPT codes for common dermatology procedures.
Evaluation and Management
Consultations
The following are newly updated codes and ranges for consultation codes, according to the 2023 AMA guidelines.
- 99242: Office or other outpatient consultation for a new or established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and straightforward medical decision-making
- 99243: Office or other outpatient consultation for a new or established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and low level of medical decision-making
- 99244: Office or other outpatient consultation for a new or established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and moderate level of medical decision-making
- 99245: Office or other outpatient consultation for a new or established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high level of medical decision-making
Visits and Evaluations
- 99201: Problem-focused office visit from new patient
- 99202: Expanded problem-focused office visit from new patient
- 99203: Detailed office visit from new patient
- 99204: Comprehensive office visit from new patient with review of 2-9 symptoms
- 99205: Comprehensive office visit from new patient with review of 10 or more symptoms
- 99211: Straightforward office visit from established patient
- 99212: Problem-focused office visit from established patient
- 99213: Expanded problem-focused office visit from established patient
- 99214: Detailed office visit from established patient
- 99215: Comprehensive office visit from established patient
Biopsies
- 11100: Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (including simple closure), unless otherwise listed; single lesion
- 11101: Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane (including simple closure), unless otherwise listed; each additional lesion
- 11102: Tangential biopsy of skin; single lesion
- 11103: Tangential biopsy of skin; each separate/additional lesion
- 11104: Punch biopsy of skin; single lesion
- 11105: Punch biopsy of skin; each separate/additioal lesion
- 11106: Incisional biopsy of skin; single lesion
- 11107: Incisional biopsy of skin; each separate/additional lesion
Destruction of Lesions
- 17000: Destruction of premalignant lesions; first lesion
- 17003: Destruction of premalignant lesions; 2-14 lesions
- 17110: Destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions
Mohs Surgery
- 17311: Mohs micrographic technique on head, neck, hands, feet; first stage
- 17312: Mohs micrographic technique on head, neck, hands, feet; each additional stage
- 17313: Mohs micrographic technique on trunk, arms, and legs; first stage
- 17314: Mohs micrographic technique on trunk, arms, and legs; each additional stage
Excisions
- 11403: Excision, benign lesion including margins; trunk, arms, or legs
- 11603: Excision, malignant lesion including margins; trunk, arms or legs
Phototherapy
- 96900: Actinotherapy (ultraviolet light)
- 96910: Photochemotherapy; tar and ultraviolet B or petrolatum and ultraviolet B
- 96567: Photodynamic therapy by external application of light to destroy premalignant and/or malignant lesions
- J7308: Aminovulinic acid HCL for topical administration
Laser Treatment
- 96920: Laser treatment for inflammatory skin disease
- 96921: Laser treatment for inflammatory skin disease
Modifiers
Modifiers help modify CPT codes to add more detail or distinguish between repeat codes.
- 25: Separate evaluation on the same day as another procedure or service
- 59: Repetition of procedure on a different extremity
- 91: Repeat tests taken on the same day with different specimens at different times
- 95: synchronous telemedicine service rendered via real-time Interactive audio and video telecommunications system
- 310: Not vaccinated against COVID-19
- 311: Partly vaccinated against COVID-19
- 39: Indicates any other under-immunized status
Learn more in our Dermatology medical billing services.
For informational purposes only.
