2025 CPT code 15781
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Feed
Dermabrasion; segmental, face.
Modifiers may be applicable to 15781.For instance, modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service. Modifier 51 is used to indicate multiple procedures during the same session.
Medical necessity for dermabrasion may be established when used to treat conditions like precancerous skin growths (actinic keratosis), superficial basal cell carcinoma, or medically significant scarring that impairs function or causes substantial psychological distress.Dermabrasion for purely cosmetic purposes is typically not considered medically necessary.
A dermatologist or plastic surgeon performs the dermabrasion procedure. After preparing the patient and applying anesthesia, an assistant holds the skin taut while the physician uses a dermabrader with various tips to achieve the desired level of abrasion. Different tips, like sanding, wire brush, or diamond wheel, may be used. Manual abrasion with sandpaper may be performed in some areas. The procedure targets acne scars, facial lesions, or tattoos, by precisely abrading the skin's surface.
In simple words: Dermabrasion is a procedure that improves the appearance of your skin by removing the outer layers of damaged skin. It's like a very gentle sanding of the skin, usually done on the face.It can help with wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, sun damage and other skin problems, revealing smoother, fresher skin underneath.
Dermabrasion is a skin resurfacing procedure performed on a segment of the face using a specialized instrument, typically a high-speed rotating brush or diamond wheel, to remove the outer layers of damaged skin. It is commonly performed to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, uneven skin tone, sun damage, precancerous skin patches, age spots, and to remove tattoos.
Example 1: A patient with deep acne scarring on their cheeks undergoes segmental dermabrasion to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of the scars., A patient with multiple precancerous lesions on their forehead undergoes dermabrasion to remove the affected skin., A patient seeks dermabrasion to remove a small, unwanted tattoo on their temple.
Documentation should include the size and location of the treatment area, the depth of dermabrasion, the type of instrument used, the anesthesia administered, and any complications encountered. Photographs before and after the procedure are beneficial. Documentation should also support the medical necessity of the procedure, such as in cases of precancerous lesions or significant scarring that impacts the patient's quality of life.
- Specialties:Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center