CPT® Code 11400 is used to report the excision of a benign lesion, excluding skin tags, located on the trunk, arms, or legs, when the excised diameter (including the lesion and the narrowest required margins) is 0.5 cm or less.
This procedure is commonly performed to remove benign skin lesions that are symptomatic, repeatedly irritated, or clinically warrant excision. Common benign lesions include nevi (moles), epidermal inclusion cysts, dermatofibromas, and seborrheic keratoses, when excision is medically necessary.
This code reports the excision procedure only and does not include simple or complex wound repair, which may be reported separately when appropriate.
Key Facts About CPT® 11400
- Service type: Surgical excision of a benign skin lesion
- Procedure: Excision of benign lesion (excluding skin tag)
- Anatomic location: Trunk, arms, or legs
- Maximum excised diameter: 0.5 cm or less (including margins)
- Provider type: Dermatologists, family physicians, general surgeons, plastic surgeons, and other qualified healthcare professionals
Common clinical indications:
- Symptomatic benign nevi (moles)
- Epidermal inclusion cysts
- Dermatofibromas
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Benign skin lesions causing irritation, bleeding, or recurrent trauma
When to Use CPT® 11400
CPT 11400 is appropriate when:
- Excising a benign lesion from the trunk, arms, or legs
- The total excised diameter, including margins, is 0.5 cm or less
- The lesion is not a skin tag
- Medical necessity supports surgical removal
Examples:
- Removing a small irritated benign mole from the forearm
- Excising a symptomatic epidermal inclusion cyst on the trunk measuring 0.5 cm or less
- Removing a benign lesion that repeatedly catches on clothing
- Excising a dermatofibroma causing discomfort
Documentation Requirements
To support CPT 11400 billing, documentation should include:
- Patient identifiers and date of service
- Clinical indication for lesion removal
- Anatomic location of the lesion
- Lesion size and total excised diameter, including margins
- Confirmation that the lesion is clinically benign
- Surgical technique used
- Method of wound closure, if performed
- Specimen disposition, when applicable
- Provider signature and credentials
Accurate measurement of the excised diameter including margins is essential for selecting the appropriate CPT code.
Reimbursement and Coding Considerations
- CPT 11400 applies only to benign lesions located on the trunk, arms, or legs
- The reported size is based on the excised diameter, including the lesion and the narrowest required margins—not just the lesion itself
- Simple wound closure is generally included in the excision code. Intermediate or complex repairs may be reported separately when documentation supports separate billing.
- Diagnosis coding should support the medical necessity for lesion removal
- Pathology services, when performed, are reported separately
Always verify payer-specific dermatology and procedural billing guidelines before submitting claims.
How OptiMantra Supports Dermatology Procedure Documentation
OptiMantra's integrated EMR and practice management system streamlines documentation and billing for CPT 11400:
With OptiMantra, providers can:
- Document skin lesion evaluations and excisions using customizable templates
- Record lesion measurements, anatomical location, and procedural details
- Capture clinical images before and after treatment within the patient chart
- Link pathology orders and results to the procedure record
- Maintain organized dermatology documentation that supports billing compliance and audit preparedness
- Coordinate follow-up visits, pathology tracking, and patient communications
By centralizing dermatology workflows, OptiMantra helps practices improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and optimize reimbursement for skin lesion procedures.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
Disclaimer: CPT® codes are maintained by the American Medical Association. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace official coding guidelines or payer policies.
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