Medical

Skin, Hair, Nails, Mouth

Central Ohio Skin & Cancer dermatologists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of the skin, hair, nails, and mouth. In addition to dermatology, we also offer expert care from our plastic surgery physician, Dr. Richard Smialek, and our oral pathologists and dentists, Dr. Carl Allen and Dr. Ashleigh Briody.

Surgical

Central Ohio Skin & Cancer dermatologists are experts in removal of skin lesions. Once removed, our team will send the tissue to the dermatopathology lab for microscopic examination.

Basal cell carcinoma-the most common type of skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma-the most common type of skin cancer.

Mohs

Mohs micrographic surgery, named after its inventor Dr. Mohs, is the most advanced treatment for skin cancer available today. With up to a 99% success rate, it is also the most effective, even if the cancer has been treated previously using another method.
More than 2 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, and one in five people will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime. Often skin cancer occurs in cosmetically sensitive areas, such as the face and hands.

The Mohs surgical technique is the most effective technique for removing skin cancers while minimizing the sacrifice of normal surrounding tissue to achieve the best cosmetic result possible. The cancer is removed in stages, one skin layer at a time until all the cancer has been removed. One of the many advantages of Mohs surgery is that it limits the removal of healthy, uninvolved tissue, so scarring can be as minimal as possible.

Mohs surgeons are specially trained in oncology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction. While many physicians advertise that they perform Mohs surgery, only members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) complete fellowship training. They are chosen through a competitive process, similar to residency, and are required to complete a large number of Mohs surgery cases under the supervision of experienced ACMS-approved Mohs surgeons in a rigorous, accredited, post-residency fellowship. The fellow is not only trained with surgeons in proper removal technique, but also in reading the slides to ensure that the cancer is adequately removed. They also spend a great deal of time in learning plastic surgery techniques to repair the wounds with the best possible outcomes. Our Mohs surgeon, Dr. Maralyn Seavolt completed her Mohs fellowship at the University of Louisville and is an ACMS member. Please see www.skincancermohssurgery.org and www.mohscollege.org for more information.

For more information or to find out if you qualify for Mohs surgery, please 614-898-7546 and ask to speak with our Mohs team.

Phototherapy

Central Ohio Skin & Cancer offers several phototherapy treatments for the treatments of conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, pruritus, polymorphous light eruption and early state mycosis fungoides.

Narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB)
NB-UVB is the most common form of phototherapy used to treat skin diseases. It uses the “narrowband” of 311-312 nm wavelength as this has been found to be the most beneficial component of natural sunlight to treat skin conditions. Compared to Broadband UVB (290-320 nm), NB-UVB exposure times are shorter but of higher intensity. The course of treatment is shorter. NB-UVB is more likely to clear the skin condition and longer periods of remission occur before it reappears. The patient stands in the middle of the NB-UVB booth undressed and a whole body treatment can be performed in seconds to minutes with coverage of certain body areas. Treatments are usually performed 3 times per week for 20-25 treatments on average to clear psoriasis.
Hand and Foot PUVA
Psoralen (P) is applied to the hands and feet and allowed to sit for a half hour. The hands and/or feet are then exposed to Ultraviolet A (UVA) light to treat psoriasis, eczema or vitiligo. Treatments are performed initially 3 times per week
Xtrac

Xtrac is a high intensity 308 nanometer ultraviolet B (UVB) wavelength that is used to treat the specific affected area of psoriasis, vitiligo, or atopic dermatitis without treating the surrounding normal skin. Typically treatments are performed twice a week for 10-20 treatments for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and can lead to 4-6 months or more of remission of disease. More treatments are needed for vitiligo. Click here for more info.

Levulan/Blu-U Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

For Treatment of Actinic Keratosis (AKs)

The Levulan solution is applied to the affected AK area 1-2 hours before the treatment and is absorbed by the AK cells where it is converted to a chemical that makes the cells extremely sensitive to the Blu-U light. When the AK cells are exposed to the Blu-U light for 16 minutes, a reaction occurs that destroys the AK cells.

Please check your insurance coverage by calling your insurance and asking the questions below. You will need to tell them your diagnosis, ICD-10 diagnosis code, and CPT procedure code. Be sure to obtain the name of the person you spoke with, as well as a reference number for your call. This service will be provided in the office of a specialist, not a facility or hospital.

Diagnosis Codes
Psoriasis L40.0
Atopic dermatitis L20.89
Vitiligo L80
Pruritus L29.8
Polymorphous light eruption L56.4
Lichen planus L43.8

Actinic keratosis L57.0

CPT Procedure Codes
Narrow-band UVB 96910
Hand and Foot PUVA 96912
Xtrac excimer laser codes.  Only one code will be used per visit.  The code is determined by the total skin area that is treated and is calculated by the laser.
   96920
   96921
   96922
Blu-U photodynamic therapy 96567
   with Levulan J7308

Questions to ask your insurance representative:

  • Is this a covered benefit?
  • Do I have a deductible?
  • Is there a co-payment with the treatment if no office visit is charged?
  • Is prior authorization required?  If a prior authorization is required, our office will assist you with that.