Dermatology CPT Codes and Billing Guidelines 2026

The dermatology field is growing fast. Really fast. You see it already. Patients are lining up. Schedules are packed. Demand is going up every day. This should mean better revenue for you. But if it doesn’t? Something is off. It needs a closer look right now.

A smart place to start is billing. Medical billing and coding is where things break. In this guide, we walk through key codes. It keeps your practice moving forward. It stops the stall. Steady cash flow is what you maintain.

Dermatology CPT Codes 2026

Review the codes first. You need to know them before the rules.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Skin Biopsy

A dermatologist removes a sample. They look at the surface. These cells tell you about the disease.

• CPT Code 11102: Tangential skin biopsy; single lesion. Shave or scoop.
• CPT Code 11103: Add-on code. Use this for each extra lesion.
• CPT Code 11104: Punch biopsy. One lesion. Simple closure is included.
• CPT Code 11105: Add-on code for punch biopsy. Each extra lesion gets this.
• CPT Code 11106: Incisional skin biopsy. Like a wedge. Single lesion.
• CPT Code 11107: Add-on code for extra incisional biopsies.
• CPT Code 40490: Lip excision procedure.
• CPT Code 69100: External ear excision.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Removal of Lesion

Removal involves many things. Electrosurgery. Cryosurgery. Lasers. Benign or malignant—the methods vary. Multiple codes apply when you treat more than one.

• CPT Code 17000: Destruction of premalignant lesions. This is for the first one.
• CPT Code 17003: Destruction for 2–14 lesions.
• CPT Code 17110: Removal of up to 14 benign lesions. No skin tags though.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Micrographic Surgery Using Mohs

Mohs removes skin cancer. Tissue is excised in stages. You check it layer by layer.

• CPT Code 17311: Mohs on neck, hands, or feet. This is the initial stage.
• CPT Code 17312: Each additional stage for those same areas.
• CPT Code 17313: Mohs on trunk, arms, or legs. First stage only.
• CPT Code 17314: Each additional stage for the trunk and limbs.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Lesion Excisions

You surgically remove the lesion. You take the surrounding tissue too.

• CPT Code 11403: Excision of benign lesions. Trunk, arms, or legs.
• CPT Code 11603: Excision of malignant lesions. Trunk, arms, or legs.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Wound Healing

Repair depends on complexity. Is it simple? Moderate? Extensive?

• CPT Code 12031 & 12032: Intermediate repairs. Trunk or scalp. No hands or feet.
• CPT Code 13120 & 13121: Complex repairs. Scalp, arms, or legs.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Pathology

Pathology looks at tissue. They use a microscope. Lab testing is what they do.

• CPT Code 88304: Level III surgical pathology. Gross and microscopic.
• CPT Code 88305: Level IV surgical pathology. A more detailed evaluation.
• CPT Code 88312: Special stains. Interpretation and report included.
• CPT Code 88341: Immunohistochemistry analysis.

Dermatology CPT Codes for Laser Therapy and Phototherapy

Laser targets the skin. Focused wavelengths are what it uses. Phototherapy uses UV light. It is for eczema or psoriasis.

• CPT Code J7308: Topical aminolevulinic acid. Administration only.
• CPT Code 96567: Photodynamic therapy. For the premalignant lesions.
• CPT Code 96900: Actinotherapy. Uses ultraviolet light.
• CPT Code 96910: Photochemotherapy. UVB and tar.
• CPT Code 96920 & 96921: Laser treatment. For inflammatory skin.
  

Evaluation and Management (E/M) Dermatology Billing Codes

You submit a claim for a dermatology service. You use E/M codes. You must establish if the patient is new. Or are they returning? You have to know.

New Patient E/M CPT Codes

• CPT Code 99202: 15 to 29 minutes. Medically necessary history. Straightforward decision-making.
• CPT Code 99203: 30 to 44 minutes. Low-level decision-making.
• CPT Code 99204: 45 to 59 minutes. Moderate decision-making is what it requires.
• CPT Code 99205: 60 to 74 minutes. High decision-making. This is for the complex ones.

Established Patient E/M CPT Codes

• CPT Code 99212: 10 to 19 minutes. Straightforward decision-making for the returning patient.
• CPT Code 99213: 20 to 29 minutes. Low-level decision-making.
• CPT Code 99214: 30 to 39 minutes. Level IV visit. A detailed history and examination is needed. Moderate decision-making.
• CPT Code 99215: 40 to 54 minutes. Highest level. Comprehensive history. High decision-making.

Dermatology CPT Codes with Modifiers

Some codes include modifiers. They change things. You need them for the payment.

• Modifier 25: Use this with E/M codes for established patients. You cannot use it for new patients. Do not use it with other dermatology codes. It is specific.
• Modifier 59: This indicates a separate service. It was performed on the same day. It stands alone from other procedures. Accurate use is what prevents the denials.

Dermatology Billing Guidelines

These guidelines are the rules. They handle the money process for the care you give. You must document. You must report. Everything has to align with what the insurance payer wants. It is strict.

Comprehensive Documentation

The guide says you need it all. Complete records. Accurate notes. Dermatologists must keep track of every service. Why was the patient there? What did the exam show? What is the treatment plan? This proves medical necessity. Good records are what prevent claim denials. It stops the rejections.

Coding Accuracy

Pick the right CPT codes. This is another big rule. When you choose the code that best describes the service, the delays go away. Rejections drop. It keeps you safe from legal trouble. Heavy penalties are what you avoid. We covered the codes above. Use them right.

Medical Necessity

Pay attention here. You must have evidence. Why did you do that procedure? The diagnosis must be there. Sometimes you need more documents, too. Supporting data is what the payer looks for. Without it, they don’t pay.

Use of Modifiers

Modifiers are little codes. They show unique situations. Are you doing several operations? Bilateral procedures? Limited services? You must use the right modifier. It gives the details the payer needs to see.

Compliance

Follow the law. Follow the morals. Dermatology billing guidelines stress this. You must follow the rules and the professional norms. If you don’t? Penalties. Fines. You might even lose your license. Non-compliance is a fast way to ruin a practice.

Bundle-up Services

Insurance companies are different. Some want things bundled. You have to understand these requirements. Avoid unbundling errors. It looks like fraud. Choose the comprehensive billing when you can. Cross-check the codes. Make sure they match the service.

Clear Patient Communication

Talk to your patients. Be transparent. Tell them about the money. What do they owe? What does insurance cover? Give them cost estimates before you start. It helps them understand their responsibility. Faster reimbursements are the result.

Bottom Line

Dermatology codes must be precise. From biopsies to E/M visits. Use them right during the submission. Focus on the documentation. Stay accurate. Stay compliant. This is how you fix the revenue cycle.We hope this roadmap helps your practice. If it’s still hard, partner with a pro. Medyratech handles the RCM. We make the revenue flow so you can focus on the skin.