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Printer Friendly Version Non-Pharmacologic Treatment of Rosacea
DESCRIPTIONRosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that cannot be cured; the goal of treatment is symptom management. Non-pharmacologic treatments, including laser and light therapy, dermabrasion, and others, are proposed for patients who do not want to use or are unresponsive to pharmacologic treatments.Rosacea is characterized by episodic erythema, edema, papules and pustules that occur primarily on the face but may also be present on the scalp, ears, neck, chest and back. On occasion, rosacea may affect the eyes. Patients with rosacea have a tendency to flush or blush easily. Since rosacea causes facial swelling and redness, it is easily confused with other skin conditions, such as acne, skin allergy and sunburn. Rosacea affects mostly adults with fair skin between the ages of 20 and 60 and is more common in women, but often most severe in men. Rosacea is not life-threatening, but if not treated may lead to persistent erythema, telangiectasias, and rhinophyma (hyperplasia and nodular swelling and congestion of the skin the nose). The etiology and pathogenesis of rosacea is unknown, but may be due to both genetic and environmental factors. Some of the theories as the causes of rosacea include blood vessel disorders, chronic helicobacter pylori infection, demodex folliculorum (mites) and immune system disorders. While rosacea cannot be eliminated, treatment can be effective to relieve its signs and symptoms. Treatment may include oral and topical antibiotics, isotretinoin, beta-blockers, clonidine, and anti-inflammatories. Patients are also instructed on various self-care measures such as avoiding skin irritants and dietary items thought to exacerbate acute flare-ups. To reduce visible blood vessels, treat rhinophyma, reduce redness, and improve appearance, various techniques have been used such as laser and light therapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, surgical debulking and electrosurgery. Non-pharmacologic therapy has also been tried in patients who cannot tolerate or do not want to use pharmacologic treatments. The various lasers include low-powered electrical devices and vascular light lasers to remove telangiectasias, CO2 lasers to remove unwanted tissue from rhinophyma and reshape the nose, and intense pulsed lights that generate multiple wavelengths to treat a broader spectrum of tissue. Several laser and light therapy systems have been cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the 510(k) process for a variety of dermatologic indications, including rosacea. For example, rosacea is among the indications for the Candela pulse dye laser system (Candela Corp.; Wayland, MA), the Lumenis One Family of Systems intense pulsed light component (Lumenis Inc.; Santa Clara, Ca), and the Harmony XL multi-application platform laser device (Alma Lasers; Israel).
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POLICYNon-pharmacologic treatment of rosacea, including but not limited to laser and light therapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, surgical debulking and electrosurgery is considered investigational.
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POLICY EXCEPTIONSFederal Employee Program (FEP) may dictate that all FDA-approved devices, drugs or biologics may not be considered investigational and thus these devices may be assessed only on the basis of their medical necessity.
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POLICY GUIDELINESInvestigative service is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized by certifying boards and/or approving or licensing agencies or published peer review criteria as standard, effective medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and as such therefore is not considered medically necessary. The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.
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POLICY HISTORY05/18/2006: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)1/3/2007: Code reference section updated per the 2007 CPT/HCPCS revisions. 5/1/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes 04/22/2010: Policy description updated regarding FDA status of devices. Policy statement unchanged. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section. 02/23/2011: Policy reviewed; no changes. 01/19/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes. 04/01/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.
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SOURCE(S)Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy # 2.01.71
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CODE REFERENCEThis is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.All codes billed for this procedure are considered investigational and not eligible for coverage. Non-Covered Codes
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