CPT 17000: Destruction of Premalignant Lesion - First
Documentation Requirements
- Clinical diagnosis of premalignant lesion
- Anatomic location of each lesion treated
- Number of lesions treated
- Method of destruction (cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, etc.)
- Pre-treatment and post-treatment description
Billing Tips
- First lesion = 17000; second through 14th = 17003; 15+ = 17004
- Must document premalignant diagnosis (actinic keratosis most common)
- Do not use for benign lesion destruction (use 17110/17111)
- Include total number of lesions for proper coding
- Separate from malignant lesion destruction (17260-17286)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I bill for multiple actinic keratoses?
Bill 17000 for the first lesion, 17003 for lesions 2-14, and 17004 for 15 or more lesions. Document each lesion location and total count. Scribeable tracks lesion counts and suggests correct coding.
Can Scribeable help with cryotherapy documentation?
Yes, Scribeable captures your procedure description, documents each lesion location and treatment method, and generates compliant notes with proper lesion count coding guidance.