{"id":177099,"date":"2026-08-13T07:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T07:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=177099"},"modified":"2026-08-13T09:02:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T09:02:54","slug":"cpt-code-17284","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/","title":{"rendered":"CPT code 17284: Malignant lesion destruction, 3.1-4.0 cm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"headline\":\"CPT code 17284: Destruction of a malignant facial lesion, 3.1 to 4.0 cm\",\"description\":\"CPT code 17284 billing guide: destruction of a malignant lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips or mucous membrane measuring 3.1 to 4.0 cm, with 2026 RVU values, fee schedule estimates, ICD-10 pairings, modifiers and documentation requirements.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/\",\"audience\":{\"@type\":\"MedicalAudience\",\"audienceType\":\"Clinician\"},\"reviewedBy\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Dr Vanja Kitanova\",\"jobTitle\":\"Medical Reviewer\",\"affiliation\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Pabau\"},\"knowsAbout\":[\"Medical Coding\",\"Clinical Documentation\",\"Healthcare Billing\",\"Clinical Safety\"],\"sameAs\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/author\/vanja\/\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-07\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-13\"}<\/script>\n\n\n        <div id=\"key_takeaways\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Key-Takeaways-Icon.svg\" alt=\"Key takeaways\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Key takeaways<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"list\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>CPT code 17284 covers destruction of a malignant lesion measuring 3.1 to 4.0 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>All six codes in the 17280-17286 family share that body site group. Only the lesion diameter changes, and 17285 is not a valid code.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs belong to 17260-17266. Scalp, neck, hand, foot, and genital lesions belong to 17270-17276.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Medicare&rsquo;s 2026 national estimate is roughly $272 in an office and $165 in a facility, before any locality adjustment.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Pathology has to confirm malignancy before destruction, so keep the report, the measured diameter, and the photos in one patient record.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 3.5 cm basal cell carcinoma destroyed on the nose is coded 17284. The code covers destruction of a malignant lesion measuring 3.1 to 4.0 cm on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membrane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two facts decide the code, and both have to come from the chart. One is where the lesion sits. The other is how wide it measured before treatment started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get either one wrong and the claim pays at the wrong rate, or it does not pay at all. Let&rsquo;s dive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"CPT Coding Pitfalls Every Medical Practice Faces\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vbvV5okdXKg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-cpt-code-17284-covers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What CPT code 17284 covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CPT code 17284 covers destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 3.1 to 4.0 cm across. Eligible sites are the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and mucous membrane. That places the code in the integumentary system section of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ama-assn.org\/practice-management\/cpt\/cpt-code-set-overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">American Medical Association&rsquo;s CPT code set<\/a>, inside the 17280-17286 family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The official long descriptor reads as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and\/or mucous membrane; lesion diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The treated site has to appear in the list, and the measured diameter has to land inside the 3.1 to 4.0 cm band. Note also that 17284 is not the top of its family. Anything wider than 4.0 cm belongs to 17286.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-code-at-a-glance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The code at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use this table at the point of coding. Every field comes from the AMA descriptor and the structure of the family around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Attribute<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">CPT code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17284<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Descriptor in short<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Destruction of a malignant lesion on the face or mucous membrane, 3.1 to 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Lesion diameter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">3.1 to 4.0 cm, measured before treatment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Body sites<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Eligible methods<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code type<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Standalone, not an add-on<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code family<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17280-17286, malignant lesion destruction on facial sites. 17285 is not in use<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Tier below<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17283, lesion diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Tier above<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17286, lesion diameter over 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-one-body-site-group-six-size-tiers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">One body site group, six size tiers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every code from <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17280\/\">17280<\/a> through 17286 describes the same body sites. Only the lesion diameter changes as you climb the family, so the measurement alone decides which of the six codes you bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Code<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Body sites<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Lesion diameter<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">17280<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">0.5 cm or less<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">17281<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">0.6 to 1.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">17282<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">1.1 to 2.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">17283<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">2.1 to 3.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\"><strong>17284<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\"><strong>Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\"><strong>3.1 to 4.0 cm<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">17285<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Not in use<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">The family skips this number<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">17286<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Over 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the family as a size ladder on one set of sites. A lesion measured at exactly 3.0 cm is 17283. At 3.1 cm it becomes 17284, and at 4.1 cm it becomes 17286.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-measure-the-lesion-not-the-wound-it-leaves\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Measure the lesion, not the wound it leaves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Destruction codes use the greatest diameter of the lesion itself, taken before anything touches it. They do not use the defect left behind, and they do not add a surgical margin to the reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That margin rule belongs to the excision codes, where the excised diameter is the lesion plus the narrowest margin on each side. Borrowing it here inflates the tier and turns a correct 17283 into an overbilled 17284. Record the number to the nearest tenth of a centimeter, because the tissue is gone once destruction starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-17285-never-appears-on-a-claim\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why 17285 never appears on a claim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CPT numbering skips 17285, so no lesion size maps to it. That same gap shows up in the two neighboring families, which skip 17265 and 17275. A claim carrying 17285 has no valid procedure code on it, so expect a rejection rather than a payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-lesions-elsewhere-on-the-body-use-a-different-family\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lesions elsewhere on the body use a different family<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Body site decides the family, and diameter decides the code inside it. Two other families cover malignant lesion destruction, and each one runs the same six size tiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Body sites<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Code family<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">3.1 to 4.0 cm tier<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Trunk, arms, legs<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17260\/\">17260<\/a>-17266, skipping 17265<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17264\/\">17264<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17270-17276, skipping 17275<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17274\/\">17274<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17280-17286, skipping 17285<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\"><strong>17284<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three numeric ranges never overlap, and none of them splits by site internally. A 3.5 cm lesion on the forearm is 17264. The same lesion on the nose is 17284.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-destruction-method-does-not-change-the-code\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The destruction method does not change the code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">17284 is method-agnostic, so coders never pick a different code based on the technique the clinician used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of the following qualify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Laser surgery<\/strong> &#8211; ablative laser destruction of the malignant tissue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electrosurgery<\/strong> &#8211; high-frequency electrical current used to destroy lesion cells<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cryosurgery<\/strong> &#8211; liquid nitrogen or another cryogenic agent freezes and destroys the lesion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chemosurgery<\/strong> &#8211; topical chemical agents destroy malignant cells, which is distinct from the Mohs chemosurgery technique<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surgical curettement<\/strong> &#8211; physical scraping and removal of malignant tissue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, name the specific method in the operative note. Payers sometimes ask for documentation that separates destruction from excision, and the method is the fastest way to show it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One boundary is worth holding onto. Vascular proliferative lesions such as port wine stains have their own destruction codes, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17106\/\">17106<\/a> to 17108, and those are never interchangeable with this family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-rvu-values-for-cpt-17284-in-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">RVU values for CPT 17284 in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RVU values drive Medicare payment through the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale, known as RBRVS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The figures below come from the CY2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/payment\/fee-schedules\/physician\/pfs-relative-value-files\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CMS physician fee schedule relative value files<\/a>, which were unchanged between the January and April 2026 releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">RVU component<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Facility<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Non-facility<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Work RVU<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">3.12<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">3.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Practice expense (PE) RVU<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">1.50<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">4.69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Malpractice (MP) RVU<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">0.33<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">0.33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Total RVU<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">4.95<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">8.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The whole difference sits in practice expense. A non-facility total of 8.14 against a facility total of 4.95 reflects the room, the staff, and the consumables your practice pays for directly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the procedure happens in a hospital outpatient department or a surgery center, the facility rate applies to the physician&rsquo;s claim. The facility then bills its own overhead separately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practices running dermatology billing at volume find that <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/dermatology-emr-software\/\">dermatology EMR software<\/a> with fee schedule tracking keeps stale RVU data out of the charge master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-medicare-pays-for-17284\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Medicare pays for 17284<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National payment starts with the total RVU multiplied by the annual conversion factor, which is $33.4009 for CY2026. Multiply the non-facility total of 8.14 and you get about $272. Do the same with the facility total of 4.95 and you get about $165.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Setting<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">National unadjusted estimate<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Non-facility (office)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">About $272<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">8.14 total RVU. Includes practice overhead, and the most common setting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Facility (hospital or ASC)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">About $165<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">4.95 total RVU. Physician component only, and the facility bills separately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both figures are national unadjusted estimates with no Geographic Practice Cost Index applied. Actual payment moves up or down with the GPCI values in your locality, so a high-cost metro pays more than the number above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check your own rate in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/physician-fee-schedule\/search\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CMS physician fee schedule lookup<\/a> and select your MAC jurisdiction before you contract or quote a patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-icd-10-codes-that-support-the-claim\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">ICD-10 codes that support the claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every 17284 claim needs an ICD-10-CM diagnosis confirming malignancy at the documented site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A diagnosis that is correct but vague causes most medical necessity denials in this family. Match the code to both the site and the confirmed cell type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">ICD-10-CM code<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Description<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Use when&#8230;<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.01<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Basal cell carcinoma of skin of lip<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">BCC on the lip, measured at 3.1 to 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.02<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">SCC on the lip, measured at 3.1 to 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.111<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Basal cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified eyelid, including canthus<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">BCC on an eyelid the note does not identify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.121<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified eyelid, including canthus<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">SCC on an eyelid the note does not identify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.300<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified part of face<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">The note says \u00ab\u00a0face\u00a0\u00bb and pathology has not typed the cell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.301<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of nose<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">The lesion is on the nose and the cell type is unconfirmed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.311<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Basal cell carcinoma of skin of nose<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">BCC on the nose, measured at 3.1 to 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C44.321<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of nose<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">SCC on the nose, measured at 3.1 to 4.0 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C44.111 and C44.121 are the unspecified-eyelid codes. Where the note names the side and the upper or lower lid, use the longer child code instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verify each pairing against the current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coding-billing\/icd-10-codes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">ICD-10-CM tabular list<\/a> before the claim goes out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-modifiers-that-keep-the-claim-moving\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modifiers that keep the claim moving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modifier use decides whether a claim for this code processes cleanly or sits on an NCCI edit hold. Apply each one only for its stated purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practice management software like Pabau keeps submitted <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/claims-management-software\/\">claims and their status<\/a> in one place while your team works those edits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/billing_codes\/cpt-code-17284\/automate-claims-through-healthcode.webp\" alt=\"Automate claims and billing with Pabau\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau tracks each submitted claim and its status, so a 17284 denial surfaces in days rather than at month end.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px;width:800px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Modifier<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Use case<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">59<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Distinct procedural service. Used when several lesion codes are billed on one date, to clear NCCI bundling edits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">51<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Multiple procedures. Applied to the secondary procedure when two or more destruction codes are billed together<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">76<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Repeat procedure by the same physician on the same day. Rare, but valid when one lesion needs a second treatment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">79<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unrelated procedure by the same physician during the postoperative period<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">25<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Separately identifiable E\/M service on the procedure date. It goes on the E\/M code, never on 17284<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-the-chart-has-to-show-before-you-bill\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the chart has to show before you bill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thin documentation is the top audit trigger for integumentary destruction codes. Every element below has to sit in the medical record before you submit the claim. Capturing them with <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/patient-intake-software\/\">digital intake and consent forms<\/a> at the point of care is far easier than reconstructing them afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/billing_codes\/cpt-code-17284\/customizable-consent-and-intake-forms.webp\" alt=\"Customizable consent and intake forms\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Customizable forms hold the lesion site and the pre-treatment diameter, so nobody has to guess the 17284 tier weeks later.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px;width:800px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pathological confirmation of malignancy<\/strong> &#8211; the biopsy result has to reach the chart before destruction goes ahead. Medicare LCD policy treats this as a requirement, not a preference. A punch biopsy carries its own code, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-11105\/\">11105<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Measured lesion diameter<\/strong> &#8211; record the diameter in centimeters in the operative note. A note reading 3.4 cm supports 17284, while 2.9 cm supports 17283.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anatomic site<\/strong> &#8211; name the exact site, such as \u00ab\u00a0right lower eyelid\u00a0\u00bb or \u00ab\u00a0nasal tip\u00a0\u00bb. The word \u00ab\u00a0face\u00a0\u00bb on its own will not carry a site-specific diagnosis code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Destruction method used<\/strong> &#8211; name the technique you used, whether cryosurgery, laser, electrosurgery, or another listed method.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pre-treatment and post-treatment notes<\/strong> &#8211; attach clinical photographs where you have them, and say why destruction beat excision here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practices with <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/hipaa-compliance-software\/\">HIPAA-compliant documentation habits<\/a> are in much better shape when a retrospective chart review lands. <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/medical-forms-at-your-healthcare-practice\/\">Standardized medical forms<\/a> built for integumentary procedures also stop staff skipping required fields under time pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-a-before-you-submit-checklist\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A before-you-submit checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Run these six checks on the claim before it leaves the practice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pathology report filed, and dated before the destruction visit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diameter in centimeters, taken pre-treatment, sitting in the operative note<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exact site named, with the side and the region where those apply<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Destruction method recorded in the same note<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diagnosis code matching both the site and the confirmed cell type<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modifier 59 on every secondary lesion code on that date<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-a-17284-claim-actually-moves\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How a 17284 claim actually moves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing the code is one thing. Watching a single facial lesion travel from the first visit to a posted payment is what tells you where the money stalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Biopsy and pathology.<\/strong> The clinician samples the lesion and the report comes back malignant. Nothing bills as 17284 until that report reaches the chart.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Measurement and treatment.<\/strong> At the destruction visit the clinician measures the lesion first, and the number goes straight into the note. A 3.5 cm nasal lesion lands in the 17284 tier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Charge capture.<\/strong> The coder pairs 17284 with a C44 diagnosis that matches the site and the cell type, then adds the place of service.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Submission.<\/strong> The claim leaves on an 837P through your billing system or clearinghouse. Front-end edits reject anything with a missing diagnosis within a day or two.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjudication.<\/strong> The MAC tests the diagnosis against its LCD and runs NCCI edits. A missing modifier 59 on a second lesion is the usual stopping point.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Payment.<\/strong> Medicare cannot pay an electronic claim before day 14, so that is the floor rather than the target. Paper claims wait 29 days.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two of those six steps happen inside the treatment room, and they decide the other four. Practices comparing <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/claims-management-software-pabau-vs-waystar\/\">claims management platforms<\/a> usually find the difference shows up at step three rather than step four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-billing-several-malignant-lesions-on-the-same-day\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Billing several malignant lesions on the same day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bill each lesion destroyed in a single session under its own CPT code. The codes may repeat, or they may differ where the lesions sit on separate sites or fall in separate size tiers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three rules govern the claim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Code each lesion separately<\/strong> by its own anatomic site and measured diameter. Never add two diameters together, and never combine lesions under one code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apply modifier 59<\/strong> to the second and every later lesion code, so each reads as a distinct procedural service and clears NCCI bundling edits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Document each lesion on its own<\/strong> in the operative note, with its measurement, its site description, and its pathology reference.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some code pairs bundle under the National Correct Coding Initiative. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coding-billing\/national-correct-coding-initiative-ncci-edits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CMS NCCI edit tables<\/a> before you submit several destruction codes on one date of service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-when-medicare-covers-cpt-17284\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Medicare covers CPT 17284<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medicare covers 17284 when the procedure meets medical necessity under the applicable Local Coverage Determination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Criteria vary by MAC jurisdiction, but a few requirements hold almost everywhere:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pathological confirmation of malignancy documented before the procedure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lesion meeting both the anatomic site and the size criteria for the billed code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Destruction as the clinically appropriate treatment, with a note on why it beat excision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No prior conservative treatment step, since malignancy justifies treatment on its own<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That last point separates this family from benign lesion removal, where payers often want a documented conservative attempt first. Beyond the common ground, individual LCDs add their own requirements, so read the one for your jurisdiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Groups working across several states through a <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/plastic-surgery-emr\/\">plastic surgery EMR<\/a> can configure payer rules per location and cut MAC-related denials that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-six-errors-that-get-17284-denied\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Six errors that get 17284 denied<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most denials on this code trace back to a short list of repeat offenders. Each one is preventable with a habit at the point of care rather than a fix at the billing desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Error<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Why it happens<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Prevention<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Wrong size tier<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Billing 17284 for a lesion measured at 3.0 cm or smaller<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Match the note to the tier. 2.1 to 3.0 cm is 17283, and 3.1 to 4.0 cm is 17284<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Measuring the defect<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Recording the wound after curettage instead of the lesion before it<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Measure and write the diameter down before the first instrument touches the skin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Treating 17284 as the top tier<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Assuming the highest number in the range covers every large lesion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Anything over 4.0 cm on these sites is 17286, not 17284<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Submitting 17285<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Reading the family as an unbroken run of numbers<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">17285 is not in use. The tier above 17284 is 17286<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Wrong body site family<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Billing a trunk or scalp lesion from the 17280-17286 range<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Use 17260-17266 for trunk, arms, legs, and 17270-17276 for scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Missing pathology report<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Destruction performed before biopsy results reach the chart<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Confirm the report is filed and dated before the claim is submitted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n        <div id=\"pro_tip\">\n            <div class=\"img\">\n                <svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" viewBox=\"0 0 42 42\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M12.6383 19.5238C12.6632 21.2071 12.8734 22.9926 12.0685 24.5523C11.0341 26.8917 8.45076 28.169 7.56292 30.5918C6.63082 33.1061 7.19505 36.185 9.31371 37.9786C10.929 39.5678 13.4183 39.9873 15.6061 39.5463C17.4592 39.073 19.1049 37.8388 19.9706 36.1608C20.781 34.7141 20.7866 32.9904 20.5293 31.3985C20.1006 29.3092 18.3775 27.8705 16.9807 26.362C14.8814 24.1005 14.6684 20.6854 15.595 17.8915C16.4331 15.4768 19.0026 14.2344 20.0425 11.9461C20.7202 10.6769 20.7506 9.20327 20.6068 7.81304C20.1864 5.40098 18.3139 3.23631 15.8716 2.56674C13.9742 2.03969 11.8224 2.30052 10.1739 3.37614C8.70522 4.34688 7.5878 5.86618 7.28356 7.58178C6.76081 9.82981 7.53525 12.2822 9.20307 13.9118C10.7658 15.4741 12.4806 17.2273 12.6383 19.5238Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M22.7048 19.8387C22.6822 22.3279 24.4507 24.6234 26.7493 25.4682C28.0531 25.961 29.4725 25.9183 30.7989 25.5487C32.0575 24.9955 33.301 24.2237 34.0069 23.0092C34.8384 21.5811 35.2982 19.8286 34.7832 18.2094C34.3611 16.2507 32.8739 14.6541 31.0275 13.9426C28.6736 12.9595 25.8073 13.7942 24.1719 15.7001C23.2022 16.8366 22.6143 18.3326 22.7048 19.8387Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <h3>Pro Tip<\/h3>\n                <p>Audit your 17284 claims each quarter. Pull every one paired with a C44.30 code, the unspecified part of the face. Then count how many had a typed pathology result sitting in the chart all along. Those claims draw medical necessity review most often, because neither the site nor the cell type is pinned down. Switching to a site-specific and cell-type-specific C44 code as soon as pathology confirms it cuts your audit exposure.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-cpt-17284-vs-mohs-surgery-which-code-applies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">CPT 17284 vs Mohs surgery: Which code applies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Destruction and Mohs micrographic surgery both treat skin cancer, but they answer different clinical questions and carry different payer requirements. Mohs starts at <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17311\/\">17311<\/a> for the first stage on the head and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Factor<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Destruction (17284)<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Mohs surgery (17311-17315)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Margin control<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">None. Tissue is not examined during the procedure<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Real-time histologic margin evaluation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Tissue specimen<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">No surgical specimen. Tissue is destroyed in place<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Staged excision with frozen section pathology<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Typical clinical use<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Low-risk lesions in non-critical areas, or frail patients<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">High-risk, recurrent, or cosmetically sensitive lesions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Medicare coverage<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Covered with pathology confirmation and medical necessity<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Covered for specific high-risk indications, governed by LCD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code structure<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">One code per lesion, chosen by site family and diameter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Stage-based. 17311 for the first stage, 17312 for each additional stage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing between the two is an oncological judgment, not a coding one. For billing, the point to hold onto is that each pathway has its own code family, documentation, and coverage rules. Never bill a destruction code when Mohs surgery was performed, or the reverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-pabau-keeps-every-coding-detail-in-one-record\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Pabau keeps every coding detail in one record<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many practices this detail lives in three places at once. The measurement sits on a paper operative note. Someone&rsquo;s phone holds the clinical photo, and an email folder holds the pathology report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your coder then chases all three before the claim can go out. When one of them will not turn up in time, the tier gets guessed, and that guess is what an auditor eventually finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pabau holds them in the same patient file instead. Digital consent and intake forms capture the site and the measurement at the point of care. Treatment notes record the destruction method, and before-and-after photos attach to the same record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the path to submission gets shorter, and the chart stays complete. Your coder opens one record and finds the site, the size, the method, the photos, and the signed consent.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"book_a_demo\">\n            <div class=\"left-side\">\n                <div class=\"logo\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Logo.svg\"\n                        alt=\"Logo\"\n                        loading=\"lazy\"\n                    \/>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"heading\">\n                    Keep every coding detail in one patient record                <\/h3>\n\n                <p class=\"description\">\n                    Pabau holds lesion measurements, clinical photos, consent forms, and treatment notes in one patient file, so your coder has the detail the claim needs.                <\/p>\n\n                <div class=\"button-group\">\n                    <a href=\"\/book-demo\/\" class=\"btn btn-scale-effect btn-cta-color btn-md\">\n                        <span class=\"btn-text\">Book a demo<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"btn-icon btn-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <svg\n                                width=\"14\"\n                                height=\"12\"\n                                viewBox=\"0 0 14 12\"\n                                fill=\"none\"\n                                xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\n                            >\n                                <path\n                                    d=\"M0.75 4.77295C0.335786 4.77295 0 5.10874 0 5.52295C0 5.93716 0.335786 6.27295 0.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295ZM13.2803 6.05328C13.5732 5.76039 13.5732 5.28551 13.2803 4.99262L8.50736 0.219648C8.21447 -0.073245 7.73959 -0.073245 7.4467 0.219648C7.15381 0.512542 7.15381 0.987415 7.4467 1.28031L11.6893 5.52295L7.4467 9.76559C7.15381 10.0585 7.15381 10.5334 7.4467 10.8263C7.73959 11.1191 8.21447 11.1191 8.50736 10.8263L13.2803 6.05328ZM0.75 5.52295V6.27295L12.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295L0.75 4.77295V5.52295Z\"\n                                    fill=\"currentColor\"\n                                ><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"right-side\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                    src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Home-Page-Concept-4.webp\"\n                    alt=\"Pabau practice management platform for skin clinic billing\"\n                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coding 17284 well is mostly a measurement discipline, not a coding one. Whoever holds the ruler decides the tier. The note has to carry a number in centimeters before treatment starts, and that number has to describe the lesion rather than the wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Build that one habit and most of the denials in this family disappear. It also settles the two questions an auditor will ask. Was the lesion malignant, and was it this wide?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The habit is hard to keep when measurements, photos, and pathology reports live in three systems. Pabau puts them in one patient record for dermatology and plastic surgery teams. <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/book-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a> to see how that works in a skin cancer billing workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"expert_picks\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Expert-Picks.svg\" alt=\"Continue your research\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Continue your research<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"content\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing a lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17260\/\">CPT code 17260<\/a> opens the neighboring destruction family at 0.5 cm or less.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Treating a port wine stain instead?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17107\/\">CPT code 17107<\/a> covers vascular lesion destruction between 10.0 and 50.0 square centimeters.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing a second Mohs stage?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17312\/\">CPT code 17312<\/a> is the add-on for each stage after the first on the head and neck.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Working at the smallest facial tier?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17280\/\">CPT code 17280<\/a> covers facial lesions of 0.5 cm or less, with the same documentation rules.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Need the pathology confirmed first?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-11105\/\">CPT code 11105<\/a> walks through punch biopsy billing, the step that has to precede destruction.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786600759212\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can CPT 17284 be used for actinic keratosis?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Actinic keratosis is premalignant, so it maps to 17000, 17003, or 17004. Code 17284 needs a pathology report confirming malignancy.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786600759213\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What if pathology comes back benign after the destruction?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Bill the benign destruction code instead, either 17110 or 17111. The claim has to match the pathology result, not the clinical suspicion on the day.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786600759214\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can a nurse practitioner or PA bill CPT 17284?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, where state scope of practice and payer credentialing allow it. Medicare pays 85% of the fee schedule when they bill under their own NPI.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786600759215\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Which place of service code goes on the claim?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Use POS 11 for an office procedure, which triggers the higher non-facility rate. Hospital outpatient work uses POS 22 and pays the facility rate.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786600759216\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can an excision code be billed with 17284 for the same lesion?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. One lesion gets one method and one code per date of service. Billing destruction and excision together for it will fail NCCI edits.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CPT code 17284 covers destruction of a 3.1 to 4.0 cm malignant facial lesion. Get the 2026 RVU values, Medicare estimates, and ICD-10 pairings. Read more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":177098,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"81","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_seo_original_html":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1433,1546],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-177099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-billing-codes","category-cpt-codes"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>CPT code 17284: Malignant lesion destruction, 3.1-4.0 cm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"CPT code 17284 covers destruction of a 3.1 to 4.0 cm malignant facial lesion. 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The claim has to match the pathology result, not the clinical suspicion on the day.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/#faq-question-1786600759214","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/#faq-question-1786600759214","name":"Can a nurse practitioner or PA bill CPT 17284?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, where state scope of practice and payer credentialing allow it. Medicare pays 85% of the fee schedule when they bill under their own NPI.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/#faq-question-1786600759215","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/#faq-question-1786600759215","name":"Which place of service code goes on the claim?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use POS 11 for an office procedure, which triggers the higher non-facility rate. Hospital outpatient work uses POS 22 and pays the facility rate.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/#faq-question-1786600759216","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-17284\/#faq-question-1786600759216","name":"Can an excision code be billed with 17284 for the same lesion?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. One lesion gets one method and one code per date of service. Billing destruction and excision together for it will fail NCCI edits.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"}]}},"yoast":{"focus_keyword":"CPT Code 17284","seo_title":"CPT code 17284: Malignant lesion destruction, 3.1-4.0 cm","meta_description":"CPT code 17284 covers destruction of a 3.1 to 4.0 cm malignant facial lesion. Get the 2026 RVU values, Medicare estimates + ICD-10 pairings.","content_score":"90","is_cornerstone":"","related_keyphrases":[{"keyword":"destruction malignant lesion CPT","score":72},{"keyword":"17284 RVU","score":61},{"keyword":"CPT 17284 fee schedule","score":61}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177099"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":177549,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177099\/revisions\/177549"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}