Final answer:
The CPT code for excision of a malignant skin lesion is determined by the location on the body and the size of the lesion. The size is measured as the clinical diameter plus the margin needed for complete excision. Anesthesia and the depth of excision are generally not factors in coding the lesion excision.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT code) for the excision of a malignant lesion of the skin, the code is indeed determined by the body area from which the excision occurs and by the size of the lesion. The lesion size is typically measured at its greatest clinical diameter, plus that margin required for complete excision. The type of anesthesia used or the depth of the excision does not typically alter the CPT code selection for the lesion excision itself, although separate codes may be used to report anesthesia if necessary. Also, while the specific body location is important for code selection, the broader regional location (such as head, neck, trunk, arms, or legs) rather than the precise anatomical spot is typically what is referenced.