CPT 17108Surgery

Destruction of skin lesions

CPT 17108 covers the destruction (removal) of skin lesions using methods like freezing, burning, or laser treatment. This is an add-on code used when treating additional lesions beyond those covered by the primary procedure code.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$622.67

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

7.49

PE RVU (NF)

10.76

MP RVU

Total RVU

19.25

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Always bill 17108 with primary code 17106 (destruction of 1-14 lesions) or 17107 (≥15 lesions). Code 17108 cannot be billed alone and represents each additional lesion beyond those included in 17107.
Impact: Billing 17108 without the primary code results in automatic denial; proper sequencing ensures $517-$623 per add-on unit
Count and document the exact number and location of all lesions treated. Bill 17106 for 1-14 lesions, 17107 for the first 15 lesions, then 17108 for each additional lesion beyond 15.
Impact: Undercounting lesions can leave $500+ per lesion on the table; overcounting without documentation triggers audits
Document the destruction method (cryotherapy, electrosurgery, laser, etc.) and medical necessity for each lesion, including pathology or clinical diagnosis (e.g., actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis).
Impact: Missing destruction method or diagnosis results in 30-40% denial rate on add-on units; proper documentation supports full reimbursement
Use anatomic diagrams or body site mapping in documentation to substantiate the number of lesions treated, especially when billing multiple units of 17108.
Impact: Visual documentation reduces audit risk by 60% when billing high units and supports medical necessity during review
Verify payer-specific limits on units per session. Some Medicare contractors limit reimbursement to 20-25 total lesions per date of service without additional documentation.
Impact: Exceeding contractor limits without peer-reviewed documentation can result in denial of all units above threshold ($10,000+ at risk for high-volume sessions)
Do not bill 17108 with malignant lesion destruction codes (17260-17286). Use correct code family based on pathology—benign/premalignant vs. malignant lesions have separate code sets.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT 17108 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average reimbursement for CPT 17108 is $622.67 for non-facility settings and $517.22 for facility settings. These rates are based on the CMS Physician Fee Schedule with a conversion factor of 32.3465 and total RVU of 19.25.

Can CPT 17108 be billed alone without another destruction code?

No, CPT 17108 is an add-on code and cannot be billed alone. It must be reported with primary code 17106 (destruction of 1-14 lesions) or 17107 (destruction of 15 or more lesions). Billing 17108 without a primary code results in automatic denial.

How many times can I bill CPT 17108 on the same date of service?

CPT 17108 is billed once for each lesion beyond the first 15 lesions covered by 17107. For example, if you destroy 20 lesions, bill 17107 once and 17108 five times. However, some Medicare contractors have session limits (typically 20-25 lesions) that require additional documentation for higher volumes.

What is the difference between CPT 17106, 17107, and 17108?

CPT 17106 covers destruction of 1-14 benign or premalignant lesions, 17107 covers 15 or more lesions (first 15), and 17108 is an add-on code for each additional lesion beyond 15. Use 17106 for small counts, or 17107 plus multiple units of 17108 for higher volumes.

What documentation is required to bill CPT 17108 and avoid denials?

Required documentation includes exact lesion count, anatomic location for each lesion (body site mapping preferred), destruction method used, clinical diagnosis (e.g., actinic keratosis), and medical necessity for the procedure. Visual diagrams significantly reduce audit risk for high-volume sessions.

Can I bill CPT 17108 for malignant lesion destruction?

No, CPT 17108 is only for benign or premalignant lesions. Malignant lesion destruction uses a different code set (17260-17286). Using the wrong code family based on pathology results in 100% denial. Always verify diagnosis before code selection.

What are the RVU values for CPT code 17108?

CPT 17108 has a Work RVU of 7.49, Practice Expense RVU of 10.76 (non-facility) or 7.5 (facility), and Malpractice RVU of 1.0, for a total RVU of 19.25. These values reflect the significant work involved in add-on lesion destruction procedures.