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Two common photosenitizing agents are 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and its methyl ester methyl aminolevulinate (MAL). When applied topically, the photosensitizing agent 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or its methyl ester methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) pass readily through the abnormal keratin overlying the lesion and accumulate preferentially in dysplastic cells. 5-ALA and MAL are metabolized by the underlying cells to photosensitizing concentrations of porphyrins. Subsequent exposure to photoactivation (maximum absorption at 404-420 nm and 635 nm) generates reactive oxygen species which are cytotoxic, ultimately destroying the lesion.  PDT can cause erythema, burning, and pain. Healing occurs within 10 to 14 days, with generally acceptable cosmetic results.  PDT with topical ALA has been investigated primarily as a treatment of actinic keratoses. It has also been investigated as a treatment of other superficial dermatologic lesions, such as Bowen’s disease, acne vulgaris, mycoses, hidradenitis suppurativa, and superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma. Potential cosmetic indications include skin rejuvenation and hair removal.

Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly, or warty premaligant growths on sun-exposed skin that are very common in older individuals with fair complexions, with a prevalence of >80% in fair-skinned people over the age of 60. In some cases actinic keratosis may progress to squamous cell carcinoma. The available treatments for actinic keratoses can generally be divided into surgical and non-surgical methods. Surgical treatments used to treat one or a small number of dispersed individual lesions include excision, curettage (either alone or combined with electrodesiccation), and laser surgery. Non-surgical treatments include cryosurgery, topical chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil [5-FU] or masoprocol creams), chemexfoliation (also known as chemical peels), and dermabrasion. Topical treatments are generally used in patients with multiple lesions and the involvement of extensive areas of skin. Under some circumstances, combinations of different treatment methods may be used.

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common malignancies in the Caucasian population. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy in humans and is most often found in light-skinned individuals. Although the tumors rarely metastasize, they can lead to significant local destruction and disfigurement. The most common forms of BCC are nodular BCC and superficial BCC. Bowen’s disease is a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ with the potential for significant lateral spread. Metastases are rare, with less than 5% of cases advancing to invasive SCC. Lesions may appear on sun-exposed or covered skin. Excision surgery is the most common and preferred treatment for smaller non-melanoma skin lesions and those not in problematic areas, such as the face and digits. Other established treatments include topical 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, and cryotherapy. Poor cosmesis resulting from surgical procedures and skin irritation induced by topical agents can be significant problems.

In 1999, Levulan® Kerastick^TM, a topical preparation of ALA, in conjunction with illumination with the BLU-U^TM  Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator, received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following indication:

"The Levulan® Kerastick^TM  for topical solution plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator is indicated for the treatment of non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratoses of the face and scalp."

As described in the package insert, the technique involves two steps starting with application of the ALA Topical Solution in the physician’s office. The package insert recommends that the application should involve either face or scalp lesions, but not both simultaneously. The patient is told to return in 14 to 18 hours, at which point the lesion is exposed to blue light for 17 minutes. During this period, the patient experiences sensations of tingling, stinging, or burning of the treated lesions. Treated lesions that have not completely resolved after 8 weeks, may be treated a second time.

Other variants of PDT for skin lesions are Metvixia® and the CureLight BroadBand (Model CurLight 01) (FDA appoved in July 2004) or Metvixia® and the Aktilite CL128 lamp (FDA approved in June 2008). Metvixia® (Galderma, SA, Switzerland; PhotoCure ASA, Norway) consists of the topical application of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) (in contrast to ALA used in the Kerastick^TM procedure) followed by exposure with the CureLight BroadBand [a proprietary red light source (in contrast to the blue light source in the Kerastick^TM procedure)] or the Aktilite CL128 lamp [LED based narrow band (630 nm) red light technology device]. Broadband light sources (containing the appropriate wavelengths), intense pulsed light (IPL), pulsed dye lasers (PDL), and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) lasers have also been used.  Metvixia®  is indicated for the treatment of non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratoses of the face and scalp in immunocompetent patients when used in conjunction with lesion preparation (debridement using a sharp dermal curette) in the physician's office when other therapies are unacceptable or considered medically less appropriate.

PhotoCure also sought FDA approval of Metvixia® for the treatment of basal cell carcinomas.  However, the indication for basal cell carcinomas was not approved by the FDA. In April 2009, HealthCanada approved Metvix (as it is called in Canada) for treatment of basal cell carcinomas as well as actinic keratoses. Metvixia is also marketed in Europe.

• Non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratoses of the face and scalp
• Superficial basal cell skin cancer only when surgery and/or radiation is contraindicated
• Bowen's disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ) only when surgery and/or radiation is contraindicated

Photodynamic therapy is considered investigational for other dermatologic applications, including, but not limited to, acne vulgaris, non-superficial basal cell carcinomas, hidradenitis suppurativa, or mycoses.

Photodynamic therapy as a technique of skin rejuvenation, hair removal, or other cosmetic indications is considered not medically necessary.

Investigative 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.

11/14/2001: Hyperlink inserted

1/23/2002: "Sources", "Type of Service", and "Place of Service" sections updated; Noncovered codes added

2/14/2002: Investigational definition added

5/2/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

5/28/2002: Code Reference section updated

3/25/2004: Reviewed by MPAC, remains investigational, Description section aligned with BCBSA policy # 2.01.44, FEP exception added, Sources updated

5/19/2004: Coding reviewed, no changes

7/15/2005:  Policy reviewed by MPAC, Description section updated to include verbiage for acne vulgaris and other skin related conditions.  Policy section updated to indicate that photodynamic therapy with topical ALA and exposure to blue and red light and photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate and exposure to red light are considered investigational for acne vulgaris and other skin related conditions.  Photodynamic therapy for cosmetic indications is not considered medically necessary.  Policy titled "Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Actinic Keratoses (AKs)" renamed  "Photodynamic Therapy."

10/17/2005:  Code Reference table reviewed, diagnosis code 702.0 deleted

8/3/2007: Policy reviewed, description updated to include BCC and change Metvix to Metvixia®. Policy title "Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses and Other Skin Lesions" renamed "Dermatologic Applications of Photodynamic Therapy." Policy statement revised: Non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratoses, superficial BCC, and Bowen's disease changed from investigational to may be considered medically necessary; non-superficial BCC is considered investigational. CPT 96567, ICD-9 procedure code 99.83, and HCPCS J7308 moved to covered with note to see POLICY. Added ICD-9 codes173.0-173.9, 232.0-232.9, and 702.0 with note to see POLICY.

11/15/2007: Policy revisions approved by MPAC

8/21/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

9/28/2009: Verbiage, "* Some covered procedure codes may have multiple descriptions. Coverage will only be made for covered codes when used for services outlined within the policy statement section." added to Coding Section.

04/23/2010: Policy description and guidelines updated regarding treatment approaches. Policy statement unchanged. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section. Deleted outdated references from the Sources section.

08/03/2010: Policy description updated to add Metvixia® and the Aktilite CL128 lamp as an approved variant of PDT for skin lesions. Policy statement unchanged.  Added HCPCS code J3490 for reporting Metvixia®.

03/07/2011:  Added new HCPCS code J7309 for reporting Metvixia® and deleted J3490. Added ICD-9 codes 209.31-209.36 to the Code Reference section.

02/24/2012:  Policy reviewed; no changes.

04/03/2013:  Policy reviewed; no changes.

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document. 

Covered Codes

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