Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Coding Policies and Guidelines (Surgical Services)
Implanted Supplies /
Devices
Supplies/devices implanted as part of the surgical procedure, are
considered integral to the procedure and are generally not
separately reimbursable.
Standby Services All standby services (code 99360), are not separately reimbursable.
Standby is considered incidental regardless of what is or is not
billed with that service.
Treatment of Warts The treatment of warts (verrucae, papillomas) via surgical or laser
excision is considered a variation of destruction of a benign lesion.
Use the CPT procedure codes 17000-17004.
Acne Treatment/Skin
Rejuvenation and
Rosacea Treatment
11-6
A cluster of warts is considered a single destruction of warts and
should be submitted using one unit of service.
Paring or curettement or shaving of warts with or without chemical
cauterization should be coded using CPT procedure codes 11055-
11057.
Electrocauterization or ‘‘burning off’’ of warts should be coded
using CPT procedure code 17110. This procedure code includes up
to 14 lesions. Fifteen or more lesions are coded as 17111. A cluster
of warts is considered a single operative procedure and should be
coded as such. Only one unit will be allowed for either code.
Blue Cross does not recognize the use of CPT procedure codes
11420-11446 for the treatment of warts. This range of codes is
considered for other types of skin lesions, such as a keratosis, etc.
The Blue Cross medical policy II-33, acne treatment/skin
rejuvenation details the policy on these treatments.
Blue Cross medical policy II-08, rosacea treatment details the
policy on these treatments.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (03/19/12)