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Excimer laser treatment, specifically identified by CPT® Code 96920, is a targeted therapy designed for the management of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. This procedure utilizes the XTRAC laser, which emits high-intensity ultraviolet B (UVB) light at a specific wavelength. The laser is directed precisely at the psoriatic plaques, allowing for effective treatment while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy skin. The treatment is particularly advantageous as it can achieve results comparable to traditional light therapy but typically requires fewer sessions. The focused nature of the laser enables it to penetrate deeper into the affected skin, making it especially useful for challenging areas such as the scalp and the soles of the feet. Prior to the procedure, the dermatologist conducts a thorough examination of the treatment site, assessing the lesions for signs of redness, erythema, blistering, or pain. During the application, the laser wand is aimed directly at the psoriasis patches for a brief duration, with continuous monitoring of the skin's response to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. For billing purposes, CPT® Code 96920 is applicable when the total area treated is less than 250 square centimeters, while codes 96921 and 96922 are designated for larger treatment areas.
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The excimer laser treatment for psoriasis, coded as CPT® 96920, is indicated for patients suffering from mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. This condition is characterized by raised, red patches covered with thick, silvery scales, which can cause discomfort and affect the quality of life. The treatment is particularly beneficial for individuals who have not responded adequately to topical therapies or who prefer a more targeted approach to manage their skin condition.
The excimer laser treatment procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective delivery of the therapy. First, the dermatologist conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the treatment area, inspecting the skin for lesions and assessing their characteristics, including redness, erythema, and any signs of blistering or pain. This initial assessment is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment plan. Once the evaluation is complete, the dermatologist prepares the excimer laser device, which emits high-intensity UVB light. The handheld laser wand is then aimed directly at the psoriatic patches. The application of the laser is typically brief, lasting only a few minutes per session, during which the dermatologist closely monitors the skin's response to the treatment. This focused approach allows for the effective targeting of the plaques while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy skin. The procedure is designed to be efficient, often resulting in fewer treatment sessions compared to traditional light therapy methods.
After the excimer laser treatment, patients may experience some mild redness or irritation in the treated areas, which is typically temporary. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by their dermatologist, which may include avoiding sun exposure and using moisturizers to soothe the skin. The dermatologist will also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the treatment's effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Patients should be informed about the potential need for multiple sessions to achieve optimal results, especially if the total area treated exceeds 250 square centimeters, which would require different coding for billing purposes.
| Short Descr | EXCIMER LSR PSRIASIS<250SQCM | Medium Descr | EXCIMER LASER TX PSORIASIS TOT AREA <250 SQ CM | Long Descr | Excimer laser treatment for psoriasis; total area less than 250 sq cm | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6A - Minor procedures - skin | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 174 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast |
| 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | CQ | Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 24 | Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service. | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | HO | Masters degree level | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short, Medium, and Long Description changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Medium description changed. Short description changed. |
| 2003-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2003. |
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