Tag: Dermatology CPT Codes

Dermatology practices use a wide range of CPT codes for evaluation and management (E/M), skin biopsies, lesion destruction, excisions, Mohs surgery, repairs, phototherapy, injections, and other specialized procedures. Correct code selection is only one part of accurate dermatology billing. Documentation, lesion counts, measurements, modifiers, NCCI edits, diagnosis coding, and payer-specific policies can all affect whether a claim is paid.

This guide covers the most important dermatology CPT codes for 2026, what changed, and the billing issues practices should address before claims go out.

Dermatology CPT Codes at a Glance

Dermatology service	Common CPT codes	Primary coding factors
Office/outpatient E/M	99202–99205, 99211–99215	New/established status, MDM or total time
Skin biopsy	11102–11107	Biopsy technique and additional lesions
Premalignant lesion destruction	17000, 17003, 17004	Number of lesions
Benign lesion destruction	17110, 17111	Lesion type and number
Benign skin excision	11400–11446	Anatomic site and excised diameter
Malignant skin excision	11600–11646	Anatomic site and excised diameter
Mohs surgery	17311–17315	Site, stages and tissue blocks
Simple repair	12001–12021	Site and repair length
Intermediate repair	12031–12057	Site, length and layered repair
Complex repair	13100–13160	Site, length and complexity
Intralesional injection	11900–11901	Applicable injection and lesion count
Actinotherapy	96900	Treatment modality
Photochemotherapy	96910	Treatment modality
Photodynamic therapy	96567	Applicable PDT service
Reflectance confocal microscopy	96931–96936	Diagnostic service and documentation
Surface radiation therapy	77436–77439	Planning, delivery and image guidance

A code range is not a single billable code. It represents a family of individual CPT codes. The specific code must be selected based on the service and the applicable CPT guidelines.

What Changed in Dermatology CPT Coding for 2026?

The 2026 CPT code set includes 418 total changes: 288 new codes, 84 deletions, and 46 revisions. Not all of these changes apply to dermatology, but several updates are directly relevant to dermatology practices, including a revision to CPT 10040 and new surface radiation therapy codes.

• CPT 10040 was revised for 2026 to describe extraction services involving multiple conditions such as milia, comedones, cysts, and pustules. Practices should update EHR favorites, superbills, and charge descriptions accordingly.

• New Surface Radiation Therapy (SRT) codes 77436–77439 were added for treatment planning, superficial/orthovoltage radiation delivery, and ultrasound image guidance for cutaneous tumors. Dermatology practices billing SRT should also review applicable Medicare coverage, documentation, and payer requirements.

• CMS NCCI edits continue to update quarterly. Practices should verify the current PTP and MUE files rather than relying on outdated edit lists when submitting or appealing claims.

• FY 2027 ICD-10-CM takes effect October 1, 2026. Update diagnosis libraries, EHR templates, and billing systems before the transition to avoid claims using outdated diagnosis codes.

Billing takeaway: These changes are not simply code-list updates. Practices using specialized dermatology billing services should review coding workflows, documentation templates, charge masters, EHR code libraries, and claim edits to help ensure accurate coding and timely reimbursement.

E/M CPT Codes for Dermatology

Dermatologists commonly report office or outpatient E/M services based on whether the patient is new or established. The applicable code range is selected using medical decision-making (MDM) or total time, when the coding requirements are met, rather than simply counting the number of diagnoses documented.

Patient Type	E/M CPT Codes	Coding Basis
New Patient	99202–99205	MDM or total time
Established Patient	99211–99215	MDM or total time

Modifier 25

Modifier 25 may be appropriate when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is performed on the same day as a procedure. A practice should not append modifier 25 merely because an E/M code and procedure code appear on the same claim.

CMS specifically notes that the fact that a patient is new does not, by itself, justify separately reporting an E/M service with a minor surgical procedure.

Skin Biopsy CPT Codes

Dermatologists use CPT 11102–11107 to report skin biopsies, with code selection based on the biopsy technique and whether it is the initial or an additional lesion. Accurate documentation of the technique is essential because tangential, punch, and incisional biopsies represent different services.

Biopsy Type	Initial Lesion	Additional Lesion
Tangential	11102	11103
Punch	11104	11105
Incisional	11106	11107

Biopsy and Lesion Destruction CPT Codes

CMS NCCI guidance is important when a biopsy and lesion removal are performed during the same encounter. CPT 11102–11107 are generally not separately reportable when the biopsy and removal involve the same lesion, while a biopsy of a different lesion may be separately reportable when the coding requirements are met. For lesion destruction, code selection depends on the lesion type and number of lesions treated, not simply the fact that a lesion was destroyed.

Accurate coding is only one part of preventing dermatology claim denials. For practices billing high-cost therapies, biologic claim denials can also result from authorization, medical-necessity, documentation, and payer-specific requirements.

Service	CPT Code	Common Use
Premalignant lesion – first	17000	Initial lesion, such as actinic keratosis
Premalignant lesions – additional	17003	Additional lesions within the applicable range
Premalignant lesions – multiple	17004	Extensive premalignant lesions
Benign lesions	17110	Destruction of benign lesions within the applicable range
Benign lesions – multiple	17111	Destruction of a larger number of benign lesions

Benign and Malignant Skin Excision CPT Codes

Dermatology practices commonly report skin excisions using separate CPT code families for benign and malignant lesions. Code selection depends on the lesion type, anatomic site, and excised diameter, so documentation should clearly identify the site and measurement. For excision coding, the relevant measurement is the greatest clinical diameter of the lesion plus the narrowest margins required for complete excision, measured before removal.

Lesion Type	CPT Code Family	Key Coding Factors
Benign lesions	11400–11446	Site and lesion size
Malignant lesions	11600–11646	Site and lesion size
Both	—	Document pre-excision measurement and required margins

Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Repair CPT Codes

Mohs micrographic surgery is reported with CPT 17311–17315, with code selection based on the applicable stages and tissue blocks. Unlike conventional biopsy or excision coding, Mohs coding includes certain related biopsy, excision, and pathology services under applicable NCCI and CPT rules. Repairs, grafts, and flaps may be separately reportable when supported by the circumstances and documentation. For closure services, simple, intermediate, and complex repair codes are selected based on the repair type, anatomic site, length, and complexity; simple closure that is integral to the primary procedure is generally not separately reported.

Service	CPT Code Family	Key Coding Factors
Mohs surgery	17311–17315	Stages, tissue blocks, and applicable site/rules
Simple repair	12001–12021	Site and repair length
Intermediate repair	12031–12057	Site, length, and layered repair
Complex repair	13100–13160	Site, length, and complexity
Grafts / flaps	Applicable CPT codes	May be separately reportable when supported

Surface Radiation, Confocal Microscopy and Intralesional Injection CPT Codes

Dermatology practices using advanced diagnostic or treatment services should select CPT codes based on the specific service performed, documentation, and applicable payer rules. Surface radiation therapy uses 77436–77439, while reflectance confocal microscopy uses 96931–96936 and should not be confused with routine dermoscopy. Intralesional injections are reported with 11900 and 11901 for appropriate non-chemotherapeutic agents; these codes should not be used for local anesthetic administration alone. CMS NCCI edits and payer policies may affect whether these services can be reported separately when performed with other procedures.

Service	CPT Code Family	Key Coding Consideration
Surface radiation therapy	77436–77439	Verify 2026 CPT instructions and payer/MAC requirements
Reflectance confocal microscopy	96931–96936	Document the diagnostic service and medical necessity
Intralesional injection	11900–11901	Use for appropriate non-chemotherapeutic agents and applicable lesion counts
Same-day procedures	NCCI / payer rules	Check bundling and separate-reporting requirements

Surgical Pathology CPT Codes

Pathology coding is based on the specimen and pathology service performed, not simply on the fact that a dermatology biopsy was performed. The pathology report should support the service billed, including special stains or immunohistochemistry when applicable.

Pathology Service	CPT Code
Surgical pathology, Level III	88304
Surgical pathology, Level IV	88305
Special stain, group 1	88312
Immunohistochemistry / immunocytochemistry, each antibody	88341

Cryotherapy / Lesion Destruction CPT Codes

Cryotherapy is commonly reported through the lesion-destruction code families. For actinic keratoses, 17000–17004 are used based on the number of lesions; documentation should support the number treated and the diagnosis.

Number of Lesions	CPT Code
First lesion	17000
2–14 additional lesions	17003
15 or more lesions	17004

Dermoscopy / Skin Screening

The original section should not use 99175–99176 or 96160 as dermatology dermoscopy/skin-screening codes. 92002 is also an ophthalmology code, not a routine dermatology skin-examination code. If dermoscopy is performed, report it only when an applicable current CPT code and payer policy support the service.

Service	Coding Approach
Dermoscopy	Verify the applicable current CPT code and payer policy
Routine skin examination	Report the appropriate E/M or preventive service when supported
Medically necessary lesion evaluation	Select the appropriate E/M/procedure code based on the documented service

Intralesional / Miscellaneous Dermatologic Procedures

For intralesional treatment, code selection should reflect the actual substance, treatment method, and number/extent of lesions documented. Do not describe 11900 as a skin implant procedure.

Procedure	CPT Code
Intralesional injection, up to and including 7 lesions	11900
Intralesional injection, more than 7 lesions	11901

Important: CPT 11450 is not a general skin-cancer removal code; it relates to excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue involved with hidradenitis suppurativa of the axillary region. It belongs with the appropriate excision family rather than a miscellaneous dermatology table.

How Better Coding Supports Dermatology Revenue

Accurate CPT coding is not just a compliance exercise. Incorrect code selection can lead to claim edits, payment delays, underpayments, avoidable appeals, and additional administrative work.

For dermatology practices with high procedure volume, the greatest opportunity is often at the intersection of coding accuracy and revenue-cycle management.

Talk to CloudRCM Solutions about your dermatology billing needs.