CPT 17340Surgery

Cryotherapy for acne

CPT code 17340 represents cryotherapy treatment for acne, where a healthcare provider uses extreme cold (liquid nitrogen or similar freezing agent) to treat acne lesions on the skin. This procedure destroys acne lesions by freezing them, helping to reduce inflammation and prevent scarring.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$51.43

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

0.77

PE RVU (NF)

0.74

MP RVU

0.08

Total RVU

1.59

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

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Bill 17340 only once per session regardless of the number of acne lesions treated, as this is not a per-lesion code like destruction codes 17110-17111
Impact: Prevents upcoding denials and recoupment; single treatment session = single code, even if 20+ lesions treated
Document the specific type of acne being treated (inflammatory, nodulocystic, conglobata) and medical necessity for cryotherapy over standard medical management
Impact: Reduces medical necessity denials by 60-70%; supports $51.43 payment by demonstrating appropriate use of procedural intervention
When billing E/M on same day, use modifier 25 and document the separate and distinct nature of the evaluation (new complaint, medication management, different body area)
Impact: Captures additional $75-200 in E/M reimbursement that would otherwise be bundled and lost; increases total visit revenue by 150-300%
Verify that 17340 is not bundled with the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits for other same-day procedures; use modifier 59 only when truly distinct services
Impact: Prevents automatic denials and reduces appeals workload; inappropriate modifier 59 use triggers audits
For Medicare patients, confirm the procedure is performed in the appropriate setting (non-facility vs facility) as the $3.56 rate difference affects revenue
Impact: Office-based treatment yields $51.43 vs $47.87 in facility setting; setting verification optimizes per-procedure revenue
Link to appropriate acne diagnosis codes (L70.0 for acne vulgaris, L70.1 for acne conglobata) and avoid unspecified skin condition codes that trigger medical review

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT code 17340 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average payment for CPT 17340 is $51.43 for non-facility settings and $47.87 for facility settings, based on the CMS Physician Fee Schedule with a conversion factor of 32.3465 and total RVU of 1.59.

Can I bill CPT 17340 multiple times for treating multiple acne lesions?

No, CPT 17340 is billed once per treatment session regardless of the number of acne lesions treated. Unlike destruction codes 17110-17111 which are quantity-based, 17340 represents the entire cryotherapy session for acne and should only be reported once per date of service.

What is the difference between CPT 17340 and CPT 17110 for billing purposes?

CPT 17340 is specifically for cryotherapy treatment of acne and is billed once per session. CPT 17110 is for destruction of benign lesions (not acne) and is billed based on the number of lesions destroyed (1-14 lesions). Acne treatment should always use 17340, not 17110.

Can I bill an E/M visit with CPT 17340 on the same day?

Yes, you can bill an E/M service with CPT 17340 on the same day if the evaluation is separately identifiable and documented. You must append modifier 25 to the E/M code and ensure documentation clearly shows the E/M service was distinct from the pre-procedure assessment for cryotherapy.

What diagnosis codes are appropriate to use with CPT 17340?

Appropriate ICD-10 codes for CPT 17340 include L70.0 (acne vulgaris), L70.1 (acne conglobata), L70.8 (other acne), and specific codes for inflammatory or nodulocystic acne. Avoid using unspecified codes like L70.9 as they may trigger medical necessity reviews.

How many work RVUs is CPT code 17340 worth?

CPT 17340 has a work RVU of 0.77 for 2025. The total RVU is 1.59, which includes work RVU (0.77), non-facility practice expense RVU (0.74), facility practice expense RVU (0.63), and malpractice RVU (0.08).

Is prior authorization required for CPT 17340 cryotherapy for acne?

Prior authorization requirements vary by payer. Medicare typically does not require prior authorization for 17340, but some Medicare Advantage plans and commercial insurers may require it, especially for multiple treatment sessions. Always verify authorization requirements with the specific payer before performing the procedure.