Coding and reimbursement changes for skin biopsies

In 2019, the two CPT codes for skin biopsies were replaced with six new codes that specify biopsy technique and associated procedural complexity. Vincent A. DeLeo, MD, talks to medical student Sheena Desai and Rebecca I. Hartman, MD, MPH, about this CPT change and its effect on the frequency of shave versus punch biopsies in both private and academic practices. “The average dermatologist needs to be cognizant of the fact that changing reimbursements may hypothetically influence [the] provider’s decision on what biopsy type to perform,” Ms. Desai notes. They also explain how this data can be extrapolated at a national scale. Article:

*

* Host: Vincent A. DeLeo, MD (University of Southern California, Los Angeles) Guests: Sheena Desai, BS (department of dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, both in Boston); Rebecca I. Hartman, MD, MPH (department of dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the department of dermatology, Jamaica Plain (Mass.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center) Disclosures: Dr. DeLeo is a consultant for Estée Lauder. Ms. Schwartzberg and Dr. Hartman report no conflict of interest. Show notes by: Allegra Sparta, Melissa Sears *

*