Actinic Keratoses

Question:

When using liquid nitrogen to for irritated actinic keratoses what CPT codes should I use? I have been using 17110 and my coder told me that was wrong.

Answer:

You should report 17000 for the first AK (Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); first lesion) and 17003 foreachlesion treated from 2-14. If you remove 15 or more lesions report 17004 (15 or more lesions). Make certain you document the location of each lesion, method of removal and numbers treated.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 9/3/20.