Procedure Codes

Below are some of the most common types of procedures performed by our providers, along with the most frequently billed procedure codes and their descriptions. On the billing statements you receive from Water's Edge Dermatology, you will only see the description of service and not the procedure codes, but your insurance company may reference them. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your statement, please contact our Patient Accounts team at (877) 900-3223.

Biopsies

A skin biopsy removes cells or skin samples from the surface of the body. The sample taken from a skin biopsy is examined to provide information about your medical condition. A doctor uses a skin biopsy to diagnose or rule out certain skin conditions and diseases.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

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/additional lesion
11106 - Incisional biopsy of skin; single lesion
11107 - Incisional biopsy of skin; each separate/additional lesion
40490 - Biopsy of lip
69100 - Biopsy of external ear

Destruction of Lesions

Destruction of lesions is the ablation of benign, premalignant, or malignant tissues by any method of destruction (electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser, or chemical treatment). If multiple lesions are removed, multiple procedure codes may be used.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

17000 - Destruction of premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); first lesion
17003 - Destruction of premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); 2 – 14 lesions
17110 - Destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions

Mohs Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a technique for the removal of skin cancer. It is usually done in stages. The surgery involves the removal of tumor tissue, then maps and divides the tumor specimen into pieces for pathologic examination to determine the depth and extent of the cancer.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

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

Excision of lesions involves the surgical removal of the lesion, along with some of the tissue surrounding the lesion.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

11403 - Excision, benign lesion including margins; trunk, arms, or legs
11603 - Excision, malignant lesion including margins; trunk, arms, or legs;

Repairs

Repairs, or wound closures, are classified as simple, intermediate, or complex depending on the severity of the wound or opening. Repair is generally performed utilizing sutures, staples, and/or tissue adhesives.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

12031 & 12032 - Repair; intermediate; wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet)
13120 & 13121 - Repair; complex; scalp, arm, and/or legs

Pathology

Dermapathologists study skin and tissue at the microscopic cellular level. They utilize specialized laboratory equipment and tests to diagnose and manage various skin conditions.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

88305 - Level IV – surgical pathology, gross & microscopic exam
88304 - Level III – surgical pathology, gross & microscopic exam
88312 - Special stain including interpretation and report
88341 - Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry

Evaluation and Management

Evaluation and management codes are divided into broad categories such as office visits, hospital visits, and consultations. They are further divided by levels of service, ranging from 1 to 5. These codes may be billed in conjunction with other procedures performed during your visit.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

99203 - Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of new patient, detailed
99213 - Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of new patient, expanded
99214 - Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of new patient, detailed

Phototherapy

Phototherapy uses UV light to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, pruritis, and vitiligo. It is administered in a variety of different ways, including full length body lamps, small light boxes, and hand-held devices.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

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 - Aminolevulinic acid HCL for topical administration

Laser Treatment

Laser therapy treats a variety of skin conditions and can be used for cosmetic purposes as well. Laser treatment is administered by a variety of different means using different wavelengths of lasers to target certain skin cells.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

96920 & 96921 - Laser treatment for inflammatory skin disease

Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses radiation energy to kill cancer cells. The beam aims directly at the cancer while protecting healthy tissue.

Procedure Codes/Description of services

77261-77263 - Radiology treatment planning
77280-77290 - Simulation
77330 - Basic radiation dosimetry calculation
77336 - Continuing medical physics (Billed once per week)
77332-77334 - Treatment devices (Each device billed separately)
G6012 - Daily radiation treatment
77427 - Radiation Treatment Management (Billed every 5 treatments)

Vein Treatment

Procedure Codes/Description of services

36475 - RFA Initial
36476 - RFA Subsequent
36478 - EVLA initial
36479 - EVLA Subsequent
36465 - Varithena Initial
36466 - Varithena Subsequent
36482 - Venaseal Single
36483 - Venaseal Multiple
37765 - Stab Phlebectomy Initial
37766 - Stab Phlebectomy Subsequent
76942 - Ultrasound Guided
36471 - Ultrasound Sclerotherapy
93971 - Extremity Study