Z159 – Removal of single lesion by electrocoagulation and/or curetting
OHIP Psychiatric Code — INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Removal of a single Group 1 lesion, such as keratosis or pyogenic granuloma, by electrocoagulation and/or curetting. See Appendix D Surface Pathology for further classification. This service requires complete removal of the lesion; simple paring is not sufficient for payment.
When to Use
- Use for the definitive removal of a single Group 1 lesion, such as an actinic keratosis or pyogenic granuloma, where the procedure involves both curettage and electrocoagulation to ensure complete eradication.
- Use when a lesion is clinically suspicious for malignancy and requires removal for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, distinguishing it from simple paring which is non-billable.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing Z159 for the removal of plantar verrucae, which is explicitly excluded from coverage under the Schedule of Benefits.
- Submitting a claim for Z159 when only superficial paring or partial removal was performed, as the code requires complete excision of the lesion to be eligible for payment.
- Billing Z159 for lesions removed solely for cosmetic reasons, which triggers automatic audit flags as this is an uninsured service.
Billing Tips
- Ensure your chart notes explicitly state the clinical suspicion of disease or malignancy to justify the procedure as an insured service.
- If removing multiple lesions, ensure you are using the correct corresponding codes from the Z156-Z164 series, as Z159 is strictly defined as a single lesion removal.
Effective: April 1, 2026
M. Integumentary System Surgical Procedures
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Integumentary System Surgical Procedures
Medical record must document a clinical suspicion of disease or malignancy, as removal for purely cosmetic reasons is an uninsured service.
All insured services must be documented in appropriate records to establish that an insured service was provided, the service for which the account is submitted is the service that was rendered, and the service was medically necessary.
1. Paring of a lesion by any method, including curetting, and/or electrocoagulation, without complete removal of the lesion does not constitute Z159, Z160 or Z161 and is not eligible for payment.
2. Excision or removal by electrocoagulation and/or curetting of plantar verrucae is not an insured service.
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