Dermatology CPT Codes: A Guide to Skin Biopsy, Mohs, Lesion Destruction & Billing (2026)

In dermatology billing, the CPT codes matter the most; without using them, you can’t get paid for the rendered services/treatments. The American Medical Association (AMA) establishes these codes and revises or maintains them each year to support clean, clear documentation and faster reimbursement.

Each dermatology CPT code is different from another; a minor mistake, even a single digit, such as using 11103 instead of 11102 for a skin biopsy, can lead to claim rejection or denial. That’s why understanding these codes can make all the difference to a practice’s revenue, since overall billing depends heavily on them.

In this guide, we list common dermatology CPT codes by category, including skin biopsy, lesion destruction, benign lesion excision, malignant lesion excision, Mohs surgery, skin tag removal, laser treatment, and pathology. We also cover documentation requirements, coding guidelines, and modifier usage for dermatology billing to help you improve clean claim submission rates and receive reimbursements on time.

What are CPT Codes for Dermatology?

CPT codes are Current Procedural Terminology codes established and maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). These standardized 5-digit codes show which service or treatment was provided, helping insurance companies understand and pay accordingly.

Furthermore, each CPT code must be used with the ICD-10 code to ensure accurate reimbursements. ICD-10 codes classify diseases and diagnose symptoms, so the CPT code should be aligned with the diagnosis (ICD-10) codes, which helps payers understand why and what service/treatment was delivered to treat patients.

Accurate CPT codes can improve reimbursements, reduce denials, and boost cash flow, helping your practice grow.

Quick Overview of Common Dermatology CPT Codes by Category

Here’s a quick overview of common dermatology CPT codes used in 2026, categorized by procedures/treatment for faster, more accurate reimbursements.

Company	Common CPT Codes	What They Cover
E/M / Office Visits	99202–99205, 99211–99215	New and established patient evaluation and management.
Skin Biopsy	11102–11107	Tangential/shave, punch, and incisional biopsies.
Destruction of Lesions	17000–17004	Destruction of premalignant lesions, especially actinic keratoses.
Benign Lesion Destruction	17110–17111	Warts and other benign lesions.
Benign Lesion Excision	11400–11446	Complete excision of benign lesions.
Malignant Lesion Excision	11600–11646	Excision of malignant skin lesions.
Mohs Surgery	17311–17315	Mohs micrographic surgery.
Acne Procedures	10040	Acne surgery, including opening/removal of comedones, milia, cysts, etc.
Incision & Drainage	10060–10061	Abscesses, cysts, furuncles, etc.
Skin Tag Removal	11200–11201	Removal of skin tags.
Phototherapy	96900–96913	Various dermatologic light/photodynamic therapies.
Laser Treatment.	96920–96922	Excimer laser treatment of psoriasis.
Pathology	88300–88309	The appropriate pathology provider generally reports pathologic examination of tissue/specimens.

Evaluation & Management (E/M) CPT Codes

Evaluation and management (E/M) CPT codes are divided into two categories: new patients and established patients. If the dermatologist delivers E/M services to a new patient, CPT codes 99202—99205 apply; for established patients, CPT codes 99211— 99215 apply.

CPT Code	Description
99202–99205	The service is delivered to new patients for 15 or more minutes, with medical decision making (MDM): low, moderate, or high.
99211–99215	For established patients, deliver service for 10 or more minutes, with medical decision making (MDM): low, moderate, or high.

Skin Biopsy CPT Codes 11102–11107

A skin biopsy is a medical procedure performed by a physician or dermatologist that involves taking a small skin sample to diagnose a skin condition or disease. There are three main categories of skin biopsy: shave biopsy, punch biopsy, and incisional biopsy. CPT codes for skin biopsy range from 11102 to 11107, depending on the type of treatment.

CPT Code	Description
11102	Single skin lesions that are scooped out via knife or curette or use a tangential (sideways) approach.
11103	Add-on code to 11102 for an additional skin lesion using a tangential approach, or for shaving or scooping out with a knife or curette.
11104	Punch technique (uses a sharp hollow instrument) to remove skin tissue (a single lesion).
11105	Add-on code to 11104 for additional skin tissue removal using a punch technique.
11106	Incisional biopsy (single lesion).
11107	Add-on code to 11106, for additional incisional biopsy.

Lesion Destruction CPT Codes 17000–17004

Lesion destruction is a medical procedure performed by a dermatologist to remove or destroy abnormal skin tissue, such as warts, sunspots, or other growths, using cold, heat, or other chemicals. The CPT codes for lesion destruction range from 17000 to 17004.

CPT Code	Description
17000	Premalignant lesion removal via chemosurgery, cryosurgery, or electrosurgery technique for a first or only lesion.
17003	Add-on code to the 17000 for the second or 14th premalignant lesion removal.
17004	15 or more premalignant lesions removal.

Benign Lesion Destruction CPT Codes 17110–17111

Benign lesion destruction is the removal of non-cancerous skin tissue using laser ablation, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or curettage.

CPT Code	Description
17110	Destroys non-cancerous skin tissues other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions of one to 14 lesions.
17111	Add-on code to 17110 for 15 or more lesions.

Benign Lesion Excision Codes 11400–11446

Benign lesion excision is a medical-surgical procedure in which the non-cancerous growth, lump, or spot is cut down from the skin or underlying tissue.

CPT Code	Description
11400–11404	Removal of noncancerous lesions excluding skin tag of 0.5 cm to 4.0 cm in diameter, including margins from the skin of the trunk, arms or legs. 11400 for 0.5cm or less 11401 for 0.6-1.0cm 11402 for 1.1-2.0cm 11403 for 2.1-3.0cm 11404 for 3.1-4.0 cm
11406	Removal of non-cancerous lesions that are greater than 4.0 cm.
11420–11424	Removal of noncancerous lesions excluding skin tag of 0.5 cm to 4.0 cm in diameter, including margins from the skin of scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. 11420 for 0.5cm or less 11421 for 0.6-1.0cm 11422 for 1.1-2.0cm 11423 for 2.1-3.0cm 11424 for 3.1-4.0 cm
11440–11444	Benign lesion excision of 0.5 cm in diameter to 4.0 cm from the skin of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane, while performing a simple (nonlayered) closure. 11440 for 0.5 or less. 11441 for 0.6 to 1.0cm. 11442 for 1.1 to 2.0cm. 11443 for 2.1 to 3.0cm. 11444 for 3.1 to 4.0cm.
11446	Benign lesion excision of over 4.0 cm in diameter from the face, eyelids, nose, lips or mucous membrane and performs a simple (nonlayered) closure.
11450	Surgical removal of subcutaneous tissue from the axillary (armpit) skin via simple or intermediate techniques.
11451	Complex technique for axillary lesion excision from axillary skin.
11462–11463	Surgical excision of subcutaneous tissue from inguinal or groin area with simple or intermediate repair techniques.
11470-11471	Complex technique for subcutaneous tissue excision from inguinal or groin area.

Malignant Lesion Excision Codes 11600–11646

Malignant lesion excision is a surgical procedure in which the cancerous cells are removed from the skin along with healthy tissues.

CPT Code	Description
11600 – 11604	Removal of cancerous lesions including margins of 0.5 cm to 4.0 cm in diameter from the skin of the trunk, arms or legs. 11600 for 0.5cm or less 11601 for 0.6-1.0cm 11602 for 1.1-2.0cm 11603 for 2.1-3.0cm 11604 for 3.1-4.0 cm
11606	Cancerous lesion removal over 4.0 cm in diameter from the skin of trunks, arms or legs.
11620-11624	Malignant lesion excision of 0.5cm to 4.0cm in diameter from the skin of scalp, neck, feet, hands, or genitalia, including the margins. 11620 for 0.5cm or less 11621 for 0.6-1.0cm 11622 for 1.1-2.0cm 11623 for 2.1-3.0cm 11624 for 3.1-4.0 cm
11626	Malignant lesion excision of over 4.0 cm in diameter from the skin of neck, hand, feet, genitalia and scalp.
11640-11644	Malignant lesion excision of 0.5cm to 4.0cm in diameter from the skin of face, ears, eyelids, nose and lips including the margins. 11640 for 0.5cm or less 11641 for 0.6-1.0cm 11642 for 1.1-2.0cm 11643 for 2.1-3.0cm 11644 for 3.1-4.0 cm
11646	Malignant lesion excision of over 4.0 cm in diameter from the skin of face, ears, eyelids, nose and lips including the margins.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery CPT Codes 17311–17315

Mohs micrographic surgery is a step-by-step process of skin cancer cell removal to treat patients with care, having a 99% success rate for primary skin cancer.

CPT Code	Description
17311	The removal of 5 block tissues from the skin of the head, neck, scalp, hand, or from any other location, including muscle, cartilage, bone or tendon.
17312	Add-on code for more than 5 block tissue removals via Mohs micrographic surgery.
17313	The first stage of Mohs micrographic surgery from the arms, trunk, and legs of up to 5 block tissues.
17314	Add-on code for additional Mohs micrographic surgery on the arms, trunk, and legs of up to 5 block tissues.
17315	Add-on code for additional Mohs micrographic surgery on any given stage regardless of anatomical sites.

Acne Procedures 10040

The CPT code 10040 is used for acne surgery, marsupialization, or removal of multiple skin lesions such as milia, comedones, cysts, and pustules.

Incision & Drainage 10060–10061

Incision and drainage (I&D) is a medical procedure in which pus, fluid, or pressure is collected from any type of lesion, such as a cyst, paronychia, or furuncle, to treat the infection.

CPT Code	Description
10060	Collection of pus, fluid, or pressure from the carbuncle, hidradenitis, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia; usually involves a single incision of an abscess.
10061	A complicated incision or drainage involves multiple incisions, drain placements, extensive packing, and a more complicated wound closure.

Skin Tag Removal 11200–11201

CPT Code	Description
11200	Up to 15 skin tag removals from any part of the body.
11201	Add-on code for additional 10 skin tag removals after 15 lesions from any area of the body.

Phototherapy CPT Codes 96900–96913

CPT Code	Description
96900	Use ultraviolet rays to treat skin diseases.
96910	Uses of tar or petrolatum to the skin which exposes the ultraviolet B, UVB rays to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis.
96912	Skin condition treatments such as psoriasis or vitiligo via combination of psoralens and ultraviolet A rays.
96913	Four to eight hours of photochemotherapy treatment to treat resistant skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo.

Laser Treatment CPT Codes 96920–96922

CPT Code	Description
96920	Excimer (ultraviolet) laser treatment to treat psoriasis of less than 250 sq cm.
96921	Excimer (ultraviolet) laser treatment of 250 to 500 sq cm psoriasis.
96922	Excimer (ultraviolet) laser treatment of over 500 sq cm psoriasis.

Pathology Dermatology CPT Codes 88300–88309

CPT Code	Description
88300	Level I examination of surgical pathology specimens, involving examination of gross features and reporting findings.
88302	Level II examination of surgical pathology specimens, involving examination of gross features and reporting findings.
88304	Level III examination of surgical pathology specimens, involving examination of gross features and reporting findings.
88305	Level IV examination of surgical pathology specimens, including examination of microscopic features and reporting findings.
88307	Level V examination of surgical pathology specimens and examination of microscopic features and reporting findings.
88309	Level VI examination of surgical pathology specimens and examination of microscopic features and reporting findings.

Common Modifiers Used in Dermatology Billing

Modifiers in dermatology billing are essential as they add more information regarding the service/treatment for accurate reimbursements.

The common modifiers you can use for dermatology billing include;

Modifier 25: It indicates the E/M service that is performed on the same day of the procedure/treatment by the same physician.
Modifier 50: Used when the bilateral (on both sides of the body) service is performed.
Modifier 59: Indicates a non E/M service performed on the same day.
Modifier RT/LT: Used to indicate the right or left side of the body.
Modifier 51: Indicates that the same provider performs two or more services in the same session.

Documentation Requirements for Dermatology Billing

Dermatology billing differs from general medical claims because lesion, excision, and laser treatments require more precise documentation and medical necessity documentation. Here’s what documents are required for accurate and precise dermatology billing;

Patient demographics and insurance card.
Clinical chart notes with exact findings, treatment plans, patient visit and follow-up details.
Clear lesion measurements with exact size (length, width, depth).
Anatomical location description, as charge capture heavily depends on it.
Medical necessity proof, which describes the clinical justification for why the procedure is necessary.
ICD-10 codes must be accurately linked to the CPT.

What Are The Billing And Coding Guidelines for Dermatology Services?

Dermatology services must be billed accurately to health insurance companies for faster, timely payments. Follow these billing and coding guidelines to help you get paid on time.

Billing Guidelines;

Before the patient visit, verify the patient’s eligibility and insurance benefits to confirm patient responsibility requirements, copays, deductibles, and secondary insurance.
Obtain prior authorization for high-cost dermatology treatments, such as biopsies, laser treatments, or phototherapy.
Add lesion numbers, anatomical location, and size to the clinical notes exactly.

Coding Guidelines;

Add an updated, accurate CPT code that aligns with the provided treatment/service.
Link the exact ICD-10 code to the CPT code that matches the diagnosis for the provided treatment/procedure.
Clearly specify the cosmetic procedure and medical necessity to ensure accurate reimbursement.
Assign accurate modifiers to the appropriate dermatology CPT codes.

Precise Dermatology Billing Services = Faster Reimbursements

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is dermatology billing?

Dermatology billing refers to billing services, procedures, or treatments to health insurance companies for payment. It involves insurance verification, prior authorization approvals, coding, charge capture, claim scrubbing, and submission within the specific timeline. Also, ensure each claim meets payer-specific requirements, including lesion measurements, anatomical locations, and correct CPT codes and modifiers, with clear, clean documentation to ensure compliance and prevent denials.

Why dermatology CPT codes matter for billing?

Dermatology CPT codes matter because they’re an essential part of the overall billing process; without using current procedural terminology (CPT codes) you can’t bill insurance companies or determine reimbursements. They help prevent claim denials, capture payer-specific charge rates, and help payers understand the exact procedure or treatment performed for a patient’s care.

Why use modifiers in dermatology billing?

Modifiers provide additional information about how, where, or under what circumstances a procedure was performed. They help payers distinguish separately reportable services, identify procedures performed at different sites, and process claims correctly without unnecessary denials or payment delays.

What are the common dermatology CPT codes?

Common dermatology CPT codes include 11102–11107 for skin biopsies, 17000–17004 for destruction of premalignant lesions, 17110–17111 for benign lesion destruction, 11400–11446 for benign lesion excision, 11600–11646 for malignant lesion excision, and 17311–17315 for Mohs surgery. Other frequently used codes include 10040 for acne surgery, 11200–11201 for skin tag removal, and 96920–96922 for excimer laser treatment of psoriasis.

What is the difference between CPT code 17311 and 17312?

CPT 17311 is used for the first stage of Mohs micrographic surgery on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia, or certain other specified sites. On the other hand, CPT 17312 is an add-on code used for each additional stage after the first stage at the same site.

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