CPT
11042 — Debridement, subcutaneous tissue; first 20 sq cm or less
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Surgery & procedures
10060 — Incision and drainage of abscess, simple
Simple incision and drainage of a single abscess. Common ER and urgent care procedure.
- Typical setting: Doctor's office, urgent care, or ER
- National avg charge (illustrative): Insurance allowed $90-$220; ER facility add-on common.
- Most-disputed reason: Charged as 10061 (complicated/multiple) without justification.
What it means
What 10060 actually means
CPT 10060 is the simple incision and drainage of a single abscess (boil, infected cyst, paronychia, etc.).
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billed as 10061 (complicated/multiple) for a single straightforward abscess.
- ER facility fee stacking onto a simple procedure.
If you see 10060 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 10060 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
11102 — Skin biopsy, tangential (single lesion)
First biopsy at full price; additional biopsies use add-on codes (11103).
CPT
11104 — Punch biopsy of skin; single lesion
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
11106 — Incisional biopsy of skin; single lesion
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
11400 — Excision benign lesion, except skin tag, trunk/arms/legs; 0.5 cm or less
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
11600 — Excision malignant lesion, trunk/arms/legs; 0.5 cm or less excised diameter
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 10060 on a bill.
10060 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
Don't pay 10060 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.