This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions

Medical Policy Search
Printer Friendly Version Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion

 

DESCRIPTION

This procedure may be performed to treat acne and other scars, fine wrinkles, tattoos, and seborrheic keratoses. All or part of the face or other parts of the body may be treated. The area to be abraded may be frozen by spraying it with a cryogen (a chemical that causes freezing). This is done so that the skin surface remains firm and does not move during the abrasion process. Some common cyrogens are freon, carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen, and nitrous oxide. In other cases, the skin may not be frozen and the patient may be given a local anesthetic or a light general anesthetic. A combination of freezing and local anesthetic may also be used. A wire brush, rough diamond/metal cone, emery paper, or other material is inserted into a motorized hand-held machine. When the machine is turned on, the brush rotates rapidly in a fashion similar to an electric drill. The brush is moved rapidly over the skin atvarious depths to abrade (scrape) it and remove the lesion or defect. When the abrasion process is completed, the area may be flooded with water or saline to remove blood and tissue. An antibiotic ointment may be applied. The treated area is covered with a dressing, for example, telfa and gauze or a synthetic semipermeable membrane as Op-Site.

 

POLICY

Benefits may be provided for dermabrasion for documented for scar revisions when performed for reconstructive purposes.

Dermabrasion as a treatment of end-stage acne scarring, photoaged skin and wrinkles is considered cosmetic.

Benefits are specifically excluded for any cosmetic surgery and any complications of cosmetic surgery.

See Chemical Peels policy.

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

None

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

9/1994: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

11/23/1999: POLICY section wording clarified to be consistent with Chemical Peels policy

3/19/2002: "Review on an individual basis" requirement deleted

4/18/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

6/5/2002: Code Reference section updated

12/3/2003: Code Reference section updated

10/13/2006: Policy reviewed, no changes

 

SOURCE(S)

Uniform Medical Policy Manual

 

CODE REFERENCE

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of codes. Some codes may be variable and coverage will be based on the clinical indication for the service.

Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

15780

Dermabrasion; total face (e.g., for acne scarring, fine wrinkling, rhytids, general keratosis)

Note: Dermabrasion for fine wrinkling and rhytids is not covered (added 12-3-2003).

15781

Dermabrasion; segmental, face

15782

Dermabrasion; regional, other than face

ICD-9 Procedure

86.25

Abrasion, skin

ICD-9 Diagnosis

701.4

Keloid scar

702.0 Actinic keratosis (added 12-3-2003)
706.0 Acne varioliformis (added 12-3-2003)
706.1 Other acne (added 12-3-2003)

709.2

Scar conditions

HCPCS

 

 

 

Non-Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

15783

Dermabrasion; superficial, any site, (e.g., tattoo removal) (moved to non-covered 12-3-2003)

ICD-9 Procedure

 

 

ICD-9 Diagnosis

374.52

Hyperpigmentation of eyelid (added 6-5-2002)

701.8

Other specified hypertrophic and atrophic condition of skin (added 6-5-2002)

709.00

Dyschromia, unspecified (added 6-5-2002)

709.09

Other dyschromia (added 6-5-2002)

757.33

Congenital pigmentary anomaly of skin (added 6-5-2002)

V50.1

Other plastic surgery for unacceptable cosmetic appearance (added 6-5-2002)

HCPCS

 

 

 

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