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.
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
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 96573
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.