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Clinical Policy Bulletin:
Carbon Dioxide Laser for Actinic Lesions of the Skin
Number: 0427


Policy

  1. Aetna considers carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatments medically necessary for removal of superficial basal cell carcinomas of the skin.

  2. Aetna considers CO2 laser treatments medically necessary for removal of actinic keratoses for members who meet applicable criteria set forth in CPB 0567 - Actinic Keratoses Treatment.

  3. Aetna considers CO2 laser treatments of other actinic lesions as cosmetic.  Note: Most Aetna benefit plans exclude coverage of cosmetic procedures.



Background

The CO2 laser is effective in removing actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinomas of the skin.  Use of the CO2 laser to treat non-precancerous actinic lesions, such as skin wrinkling, is considered cosmetic, and thus subject to the standard contractual exclusion of coverage for cosmetic procedures.

A recent review on laser and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer (Marmur et al, 2004) stated that at this time, because the reported recurrence rates are significantly higher than those achieved with standard therapies, laser and photodynamic therapy should be reserved for only those patients who can not undergo surgical therapy for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Iyer et al (2004) evaluated the effectiveness of full face laser resurfacing (UPCO2 and/or Er:Yag laser) in reducing the number of facial actinic keratoses by comparing pre-operative and post-operative numbers of lesions present and to observe the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer after full face laser resurfacing (n = 24).  These investigators concluded that full face laser resurfacing provides long-term effective prophylaxis against actinic keratoses and may reduce the incidence of actinic keratoses-related squamous cell carcinoma.  The findings of this study need to be validated by well-designed trials with long-term follow-up.
 
CPT Codes / HCPCS Codes / ICD-9 Codes
CPT codes covered if selection criteria are met:
17000 - 17004
17260 - 17286
ICD-9 codes covered if selecton criteria are met:
173.01, 173.11, 173.21, 173.31
173.41, 173.51, 173.61, 173.71
173.81, 173.91		 Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin [basal cell carcinoma]
702.0 Actinic keratoses
ICD-9 codes not covered if selecton criteria are met:
692.73 Actinic reticuloid and actinic granuloma
692.75 Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP)


The above policy is based on the following references:
  1. Schwartz RA, Stoll HL. Epithelial precancerous lesions. In: Dermatology in General Medicine. 4th ed. TB Fitzpatrick, AZ Eisen, K Wolff, et al., eds. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc.; 1993.
  2. Wheeland RG. Clinical uses of lasers in dermatology. Lasers Surg Med. 1995;16(1):2-23.
  3. FDC Reports, Inc. Laser Industries gets FDA okay for wrinkle treatment indication. MDDI Reports. 1996 May 6: I&W-3 - I&W-4.
  4. Stanley RJ, Roenigk PK. Actinic chelitis. Treatment with the carbon dioxide laser. Mayo Clinic Proc. 1988;63(3):230-235.
  5. Robinson RK. Actinic cheilitis: A prospective study comparing four treatment methods. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1989;115:848-852.
  6. Rubach BW, Schoenrock LD. Histological and clinical evaluation of facial resurfacing using a carbon dioxide laser with the computer pattern generator. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123(9):929-934.
  7. Bernstein LJ, Kauvar AN, Grossman MC, et al. The short- and long-term side effects of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23(7):519-525.
  8. Roenigk HH. The place of laser resurfacing within the range of medical and surgical skin resurfacing techniques. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1996;15(3):208-213.
  9. Ragland HP, McBurney E. Complications of resurfacing. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1996;15(3):200-207.
  10. Coleman WP, Narins RS. Combining surgical methods for skin resurfacing. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1996;15(3):194-199.
  11. Goodman GJ. Facial resurfacing using a high-energy, short-pulse carbon dioxide laser. Australas J Dermatol. 1996;37(3):125-131.
  12. Fulton JE. Dermabrasion, chemabrasion, and laserabrasion. Historical perspectives, modern dermabrasion techniques, and future trends. Dermatol Surg. 1996;22(7):619-628.
  13. Hruza GJ, Dover JS. Laser skin resurfacing. Arch Dermatol. 1996;132(4):451-455.
  14. Lawrence N. New and emerging treatments for photoaging. Dermatol Clin. 2000;18(1):99-112.
  15. Biesman BS. Carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing. Semin Ophthalmol. 1998;13(3):123-135.
  16. Karrer S, Szeimies RM, Hohenleutner U, et al. Role of lasers and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cutaneous malignancy. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2(4):229-237.
  17. Dover JS, Arndt KA, Dinehart SM, et al. Guidelines of care for laser surgery. American Academy of Dermatology. Guidelines/Outcomes Committee. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;41(3 Pt 1):484-495.
  18. Marmur ES, Schmults CD, Goldberg DJ. A review of laser and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30(2 Pt 2):264-271.
  19. Iyer S, Friedli A, Bowes L, et al. Full face laser resurfacing: Therapy and prophylaxis for actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;34(2):114-119.
  20. Helfand M, Gorman AK, Mahon S, et al. Actinic keratoses. Final Report. Submitted to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) under contract 290-97-0018, task order no. 6. Oregon Health & Science University Evidence-based Practice Center, Portland, OR. Rockville, MD: AHRQ; May 19, 2001.
  21. Gupta AK, Inniss K, Wainwright R, et al. Interventions for actinic keratoses (Protocol for Cochrane Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD004415.
  22. Ostertag JU, Quaedvlieg PJ, Neumann MH, Krekels GA. Recurrence rates and long-term follow-up after laser resurfacing as a treatment for widespread actinic keratoses on the face and scalp. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32(2):261-267.
  23. Sherry SD, Miles BA, Finn RA. Long-term efficacy of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for facial actinic keratosis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2007;65(6):1135-1139.
  24. Manriquez J, Grinberg DM, Diaz CN. Wrinkles (updated). In: BMJ Clinical Evidence. London, UK: BMJ Publishing Group; April 2008.
  25. Samuel M, Brooke RCC, Hollis S, Griffiths CEM. Interventions for photodamaged skin. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(1):CD001782.
  26. Krupashankar DS; IADVL Dermatosurgery Task Force. Standard guidelines of care: CO2 laser for removal of benign skin lesions and resurfacing. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2008;74 Suppl:S61-S67.
  27. Castineiras I, Del Pozo J, Mazaira M, et al. Actinic cheilitis: Evolution to squamous cell carcinoma after carbon dioxide laser vaporization. A study of 43 cases. J Dermatolog Treat. 2010; 21(1):49-53.


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Copyright Aetna Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical advice. This Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating providers are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.
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