Dermatology Coding Alert
Reader Question:
15780-15783 Cover CO2 Dermabrasion
Published on Tue Apr 10, 2012 
PDF
PDF
Question:
Pennsylvania Subscriber
Answer:
Report 15780 (Dermabrasion; total face [e.g., for acne scarring, fine wrinkling, rhytids, general keratosis]), 15781 (... segmental, face), 15782 (... regional, other than face), or 15783 (... superficial, any site [e.g., tattoo removal]) for a dermabrasion procedure.To show that the procedure is medically necessary, link the CPT® code to an ICD-9 code from the 173.0-173.9 (Other malignant neoplasm of skin) series. Pick the code from that series that represents the site of the carcinoma.
Warning:
Most carriers consider dermabrasion procedures to be cosmetic and will reimburse you for them only under certain medical circumstances. For example, Aetna considers dermabrasion -- whether by dermaplaning or CO2 laser -- medically necessary "for removal of superficial basal cell carcinomas and pre-cancerous actinic keratoses" only when you meet two criteria:- conventional methods of removal such as cryotherapy, curettage, and excision are impractical due to the number and distribution of the lesions, and
- the member has failed a trial of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (Efudex), unless contraindicated.
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