{"id":161705,"date":"2026-07-22T14:32:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T14:32:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=161705"},"modified":"2026-08-17T11:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:32:09","slug":"cpt-code-11442","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-11442\/","title":{"rendered":"CPT Code 11442: Benign lesion excision on the face"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n \"Key\n

Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n

CPT Code 11442 describes excision of a benign lesion including margins on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane, with an excised diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n

Measurement includes the lesion and the excised margins \u2014 billing only the lesion diameter is the most common coding error with this code.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n

Simple closure is bundled into CPT 11442 and cannot be separately billed. Complex repairs use a distinct closure code, unbundled with modifier 59.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n

Recording excised diameter, anatomical site, and lesion type in structured clinical documentation at the point of care gives billing teams complete data before a claim is submitted.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

CPT Code 11442 is the procedure code for excision of a benign lesion, including margins, on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane, where the excised diameter measures 1.1 to 2.0 centimeters. It sits in the middle of the 11440-11446 family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common coding error is measuring the visible lesion instead of the excised specimen. This guide covers the code definition, reimbursement rates, RVUs, modifiers, ICD-10-CM pairings, and documentation requirements for CPT 11442.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPT Code 11442: Definition, criteria, and clinical use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coders who miss the margin measurement consistently under-code or over-code CPT 11442 by one or two tiers. Understanding this code’s boundary conditions prevents both denial risk and audit exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American Medical Association (AMA)<\/a> defines CPT Code 11442 as excision of other benign lesion including margins, on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane, with an excised diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 centimeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The code is maintained under the Surgery section of the CPT code book and applies to dermatology, plastic surgery, oculoplastic, and general surgery encounters where a facial or perioral benign growth is removed surgically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n