Dermatology Coding Alert

Question: What CPT® codes apply for PUVA treatment and narrow band treatment?

Maine Subscriber

Answer: If you look at your 2012 CPT® code book, you would find the codes listed under Special Dermatological Procedures in the 96900-96999 range.

You can also look for keywords such as "ultraviolet light therapy," "PUVA," or "photochemotherapy" -- all of which will lead you to the same code series.

Policy: PUVA or phototherapy and photochemotherapy are medically necessary treatments for the following skin conditions after conventional therapies have failed, including but not limited to:

• severely disabling psoriasis (i.e., psoriasis involving 10% or more of the body)
• cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides)
• severe refractory atopic dermatitis/eczema
• severe urticaria pigmentosa (cutaneous mastocytosis)
• severe lichen planus
• severe parapsoriasis
• pityriasis lichenoides
• granuloma annulare
• alopecia areata
• photodermatoses.