Coding Basel Cell Carcinoma Lesion... ughhh..

excision of suspicious lesions of the skin. The first lesion was .8 cm long and on the arm. The second lesion was on his right leg and was 2.3 cm long and required layered closure. The pathology report states the lesions are basal cell carcinoma.

How are these coded?

I came up with 11601 for the arm (.8) and the leg 1160? Any help out there..

coding basal cell carcinoma

The lesion codes are selected by the size of the excision, measured before the lesion is excised and includes the size of the lesion and the two narrowest margins. You seem to be stating the lesion size. Next time, have the physician measure and document the excision size. There are illustrations in the Professional Edition of the CPT book (maybe all?) that show examples.

I would code 11603, first
11601

Since you did a layered closure, that may allow you to bill an intermediate repair (12031) but someone who does this every day should answer that part.