icd 10 code for actinic keratosis scalp

by Hal Grant 6 min read

ICD-10 | Actinic keratosis (L57. 0)

What is the ICD 10 code for actinic keratosis?

L57.ACTINIC KERATOSIS ICD-10: L57. Actinic keratoses can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.

Can you get actinic keratosis on your scalp?

Actinic keratosis is usually found on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or places that are often in the sun. The skin changes begin as flat and scaly areas. They often have a white or yellow crusty scale on top. The growths may be gray, pink, red, or the same color as your skin.

What is the ICD 10 code for keratosis?

L85.1Acquired keratosis [keratoderma] palmaris et plantaris L85. 1 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What is the difference between actinic keratosis and SCC?

“Not all AKs turn into cancer,” Dr. Hall says, adding that your doctor may also refer to this type of growth as a solar keratosis. AKs that turn cancerous almost always become squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), the second most common type of skin cancer. Untreated SCCs can become invasive, and even life-threatening.Apr 23, 2021

What causes keratosis on the scalp?

An actinic keratosis (ak-TIN-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a rough, scaly patch on the skin that develops from years of sun exposure. It's often found on the face, lips, ears, forearms, scalp, neck or back of the hands.Jan 13, 2021

Can you get seborrheic keratosis on your scalp?

Seborrheic keratoses are most often found on the chest or back but can be found on the scalp, face, or neck or almost anywhere on the body. When they first appear, the growths usually begin one at a time as small rough bumps. Eventually they thicken and develop a rough, warty surface.

What is the ICD 10 code for Verrucous keratosis?

L82. 0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM L82. 0 became effective on October 1, 2021.

What is actinic keratosis l57?

Diseases [C] » Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases [C17] » Skin Diseases » Keratosis » Keratosis, Actinic White or pink lesions on the arms, hands, face, or scalp that arise from sun-induced DNA DAMAGE to KERATINOCYTES in exposed areas.

Is Verrucous keratosis the same as seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses are common verrucous or stuck-on epidermal papules of various colors (Fig. 448-8). They are commonly seen with advancing age but may arise suddenly (sign of Leser-Trélat) in association with internal malignancy.

How is actinic keratosis of the scalp treated?

Actinic keratoses can be removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Your doctor applies the substance to the affected skin, which causes blistering or peeling. As your skin heals, the damaged cells slough off, allowing new skin to appear. Cryotherapy is the most common treatment.Jan 13, 2021

Is actinic keratosis the same as basal cell carcinoma?

Actinic keratoses (AKs), which can be considered as squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in situ, and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common ultraviolet radiation-induced keratinocyte skin cancers with high and continuously increasing prevalence.Jan 24, 2019

Is actinic keratosis carcinoma in situ?

Actinic keratosis is an early in situ squamous cell carcinoma: a proposal for reclassification. Br J Dermatol.

What is AK on the skin?

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a small, rough spot on the skin. It usually occurs in middle-aged and older individuals, and may also be called senile keratosis or solar keratosis. AK is a premalignant lesion, which may develop into skin cancer. Although clinicians generally can diagnose AK by examining the area, biopsy may be necessary.

How to diagnose AK?

Although clinicians generally can diagnose AK by examining the area, biopsy may be necessary. AK typically develops on fair-skinned individuals, those with excessive sun exposure, or individuals with indoor tanning radiation. Treatment for AK is generally straightforward, and may include cryosurgery (freezing), scraping, and photodynamic therapy.

Who is John Verhovshek?

John Verhovshek, MA, CPC, is a contributing editor at AAPC. He has been covering medical coding and billing, healthcare policy, and the business of medicine since 1999. He is an alumnus of York College of Pennsylvania and Clemson University.

Is SK a benign disease?

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) may present as single or multiple elevated plagues and nodules that are often hyper-pigmented (darkened) with an overgrown, greasy surface. This type of SK is benign, of unknown cause, and involves only the top layers of the epidermis.

When coding for actinic keratosis in ICD-10, be sure to look at the

When coding for actinic keratosis in ICD-10, be sure to look at the clinical documentation for the type of keratosis diagnosed and whether it is inflamed. In addition, the location of the growths should be documented, along with any contributing factors such as exposure to a tanning bed.

What is the color of AKs?

These lesions may be elevated and resemble warts, and the color can be red, tan, white, pink, or flesh-toned. They can vary in size from an eighth to a quarter of an inch.

What is the most common precancer?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an actinic keratosis is considered the most common type of premalignant lesion that may turn into skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation: Actinic keratosis is the most common precancer; it affects more than 58 million Americans.

Where is AK found?

An actinic keratosis (AK), also known as a solar keratosis or a senile keratosis, is a crusty, scaly patch on a person’s skin that develops from years of exposure to ultraviolet rays, either from the sun or from artificial sources such as tanning beds. It is most commonly found on the face, lips, ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp or neck in people who are middle-aged or older.

Is actinic keratosis premalignant?

We know that an actinic keratosis is a premalignant lesion based on the information we learned above. In the Tabular, code 17000 can be verified as Destruction (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses); first lesion.

What is the second most common type of skin cancer in the United States?

And although AKs can take years to develop, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology reports that a small percentage of actinic keratoses lesions eventually turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC), the second most common type of skin cancer in the United States.

Why is my immune system weak?

A weak immune system may be due to a medical condition that makes the skin overly sensitive to UV rays. This can occur in a person who works with substances that contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as coal or tar. Roofers would be in this group, as they work with tar and spend a lot of time outdoors.

What is AK in dermatology?

Dermatology practices need to overcome the challenges of documentation and coding and meeting payer guidelines to get paid. Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the most common conditions that older patients present with in dermatology practices. Also known as solar keratosis, AK is a precancerous skin growth that develops due to excessive exposure ...

When to use 11400-11446?

11400-11446 should be used when the excision is a full-thickness (through the dermis) removal of a lesion , including margins, and includes simple (non-layered) closure. Code assignment should be based on the size of the cyst (American Academy of Dermatology). Other codes:

What is a tan SK?

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) usually presents as a brown, black or light tan growth on the face, chest, shoulders or back. One of the most common benign skin growths in older adults, SK involves only the top layers of the epidermis. SKs have a waxy, overgrown, darkened surface and increase in number with age.

Is dermatology billing and coding complex?

In an era of value-based reimbursements, rising overheads, changing codes, and increased scrutiny of claims by health insurance companies, dermatology medical billing and coding has become quite complex. Dermatology practices need to overcome the challenges of documentation and coding and meeting payer guidelines to get paid.

Can actinic keratosis be cancer?

Actinic keratosis presents as a small, rough patch on the skin and can develop into skin cancer. It usually affects fair-skinned individuals, those with excessive sun exposure, or those who have been exposed to indoor tanning radiation. Most people develop several of these premalignant lesions.

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

CMS National Coverage Policy

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, §1862 (a) (1) (A). Allows coverage and payment for only those services that are considered to be medically reasonable and necessary.#N#Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, §1833 (e).

Article Guidance

The following coding and billing guidance is to be used with its associated Local coverage determination.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

When a diagnosis of malignancy has not yet been established at the time the biopsy procedure was performed, the correct diagnosis code to list on the claim would most likely be D48.5 or D49.2.

ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

All ICD-10-CM codes not listed in this policy under "ICD-10-CM Codes That Support Medical Necessity".

Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.

Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.

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Diagnosis

  • Actinic keratosis (AK) is a small, rough spot on the skin. It usually occurs in middle-aged and older individuals, and may also be called senile keratosis or solar keratosis. AK is a premalignant lesion, which may develop into skin cancer. Although clinicians generally can diagnose AK by examining the area, biopsy may be necessary. Clinical documentation of keratosis should include the type …
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Treatment

  • AK typically develops on fair-skinned individuals, those with excessive sun exposure, or individuals with indoor tanning radiation. Treatment for AK is generally straightforward, and may include cryosurgery (freezing), scraping, and photodynamic therapy.
See more on aapc.com

Symptoms

  • Seborrheic keratosis (SK) may present as single or multiple elevated plagues and nodules that are often hyper-pigmented (darkened) with an overgrown, greasy surface. This type of SK is benign, of unknown cause, and involves only the top layers of the epidermis. No treatment is necessary, although there is risk of irritation or infection caused by friction (such as when clothing rubs the …
See more on aapc.com

Categories

  • Category L57.0 describes AK, including keratosis not otherwise specified, solar keratosis, and senile keratosis. Subcategory L57.0 requires that you use an additional code to identify the source of the ultraviolet radiation.
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Clinical significance

  • Subcategory L82 contains codes for SK, and includes dermatosis papulosa nigra and Leser-Trelat disease.
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Miscellaneous

  • L82 also contains an Excludes II note telling the user that codes for seborrheic dermatitis (L21-) may be cited, in addition to the L82 code, if both are supported in documentation.
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