CPT 17000: Destruction of Premalignant Lesion, First Lesion
CPT 17000 reports destruction of the first premalignant lesion, typically an actinic keratosis, by any method such as cryotherapy or electrosurgery. In 2026 Medicare pays about $66.47 non-facility and $47.76 facility. It carries a 010-day global period.
- Code type
- Surgical - destruction of premalignant lesion, first
- 2026 non-facility
- $66.47
- 2026 facility
- $47.76
- Global period
- 010 days
What is CPT 17000 used for?
CPT 17000 reports destruction of the first premalignant lesion, most commonly an actinic keratosis, by any destructive method: cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, electrosurgery, laser, or chemical. It is one of the highest-volume dermatology codes because sun-damaged skin often carries multiple AKs.
17000 covers only the first lesion. It is distinct from benign lesion destruction (17110-17111) and from malignant lesion destruction (17260 and up). The diagnosis, premalignant versus benign versus malignant, drives which family you use.
How much does 17000 pay in 2026?
Under the 2026 Medicare fee schedule, 17000 allows about $66.47 non-facility and $47.76 facility.
| Setting | 2026 Medicare allowed |
|---|---|
| Non-facility (office) | ~$66.47 |
| Facility (hospital outpatient) | ~$47.76 |
Example: a dermatologist freezes eight actinic keratoses in the office. You bill 17000 for the first at about $66.47, plus seven units of +17003. Check your locality figure with the Medicare fee calculator.
How do you count and code the lesions?
The family is structured by count, and getting it right is where revenue and compliance meet:
- First lesion: 17000.
- Lesions 2 through 14: +17003, one unit per lesion.
- 15 or more lesions: a single unit of 17004 (do not also bill 17000 or 17003).
How do the 10-day global and modifier 25 interact?
17000 carries a 010-day global period, so a routine follow-up on the destruction site within ten days is bundled. A same-day office visit can be billed with modifier 25 only when a significant, separately identifiable evaluation is documented. Every destruction should meet medical necessity with a premalignant diagnosis, and NCCI edits govern how it combines with biopsies or other same-day procedures.
Frequently asked questions
In 2026 the national non-facility allowed amount is about $66.47, and the facility rate is about $47.76. Medicare pays 80 percent of the allowed amount and the patient or secondary plan owes the 20 percent coinsurance after the deductible. The first lesion is 17000; additional lesions use add-on codes.
Report 17000 for the first lesion, then +17003 for the second through fourteenth lesion (one unit each). When 15 or more lesions are destroyed, report a single unit of 17004 instead of 17000 and 17003. Count actual lesions, and let the note support the number billed.
Yes, if a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is documented. Append modifier 25 to the E/M code. A full skin exam that identifies new lesions or manages an unrelated problem supports it; simply looking at a known lesion before freezing it does not.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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