2025 CPT code 96922
(Revised) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Dermatology - Laser Treatment Medicine Services and Procedures > Special Dermatological Procedures Feed
Excimer laser treatment for psoriasis; total treatment area over 500 sq cm.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the service. Consult the most recent CPT guidelines and payer specific instructions for appropriate modifier usage. For example, modifier 22 (increased procedural services) might be appropriate if the complexity or intensity of the treatment significantly exceeds the usual circumstances for code 96922.
Medical necessity for excimer laser treatment of psoriasis is established by the severity and extent of the disease, failure of other treatment modalities, and the patient's overall clinical condition.Documentation should support the rationale for choosing this therapy over alternative options.Specific payer requirements may vary.
The physician or qualified healthcare professional prepares the patient's skin, operates the excimer laser, and precisely controls the dose and application of ultraviolet light to the affected area. The provider is responsible for determining the appropriate treatment area and documenting it in the medical record. Post-treatment care instructions are also provided.
- Medicine Services and Procedures > Special Dermatological Procedures
- Special Dermatological Procedures
In simple words: This code describes a treatment for psoriasis using a special ultraviolet laser.The laser light is applied to the affected skin area, which must be larger than 500 square centimeters (a bit bigger than half a square foot). The doctor uses a specific type of laser to treat the scaly skin patches.
This CPT code reports excimer (ultraviolet) laser treatment for psoriasis covering a total treatment area exceeding 500 square centimeters.The procedure involves exposing the prepared treatment area to ultraviolet light from an excimer laser, systematically moving the handpiece to deliver the determined dose of laser light for psoriasis treatment.Accurate documentation of the treatment area is crucial for appropriate code selection.
Example 1: A 45-year-old male patient presents with extensive plaque psoriasis affecting over 70% of his body surface area.The physician determines that excimer laser therapy is the appropriate treatment and uses code 96922 to bill for the procedure, documenting the total treatment area exceeding 500 sq cm., A 28-year-old female patient with severe psoriasis on her back and legs, totaling an area greater than 500 sq cm, undergoes excimer laser treatment. The physician uses code 96922 to bill for the procedure and provides detailed documentation of the treatment parameters and the total area treated., A 60-year-old patient with chronic, widespread psoriasis covering the trunk and extremities receives excimer laser therapy.The total treated area is meticulously documented to surpass 500 sq cm, and code 96922 is utilized for billing purposes, with detailed medical records supporting the treatment’s medical necessity.
* Detailed documentation of the total treatment area in square centimeters.* Precise description of the location and extent of the psoriasis lesions.* Documentation of the laser settings and energy delivered.* Number of treatment sessions.* Pre- and post-treatment photographs (if applicable).* Patient’s response to the treatment.* Diagnosis of psoriasis with appropriate ICD-10 codes (e.g., L40.x).
** This code is specifically for excimer laser treatment. Other types of laser treatments for psoriasis may require different codes.Always refer to the most current CPT manual and payer guidelines for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P6A (Minor Procedures - Skin)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The technical component (TC) modifier is not typically applicable to this procedure, as it is typically performed by the physician directly.
- Specialties:Dermatology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center