L73.0 Insurance Policy Changes

ICD-10 L73.0 is officially defined as "Acne keloid." code L73.0 is referenced in 6 tracked payer policy changes from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, and 2 other payers. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for code L73.0 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield · Effective Oct 22, 2026Medium impact
Light and Laser Therapies for Dermatologic Conditions 8.01.21
Policy 8.01.21 considers UVB light, PUVA, UVA light, FDA-cleared targeted excimer phototherapy, home UVB phototherapy, 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy and pulsed dye laser for port wine birthmarks medically appropriate when the listed criteria are met. It considers targeted phototherapy for first-line treatment of mild psoriasis, generalized psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, and vitiligo investigational, along with photodynamic therapy with topical preparations for other conditions and light or laser treatment of acne. The current effective date is October 22, 2026, and the 10/22/26 annual review left the policy intent unchanged.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi · Effective Feb 5, 2026Medium impact
Dermabrasion
This dermabrasion policy clarifies that benefits are only provided for scar revisions when performed for reconstructive purposes, while dermabrasion for acne scarring, photoaged skin, and wrinkles is considered cosmetic and excluded from coverage. The policy removes outdated ICD-9 codes from the code reference section.
Aetna · Identified Aug 18, 2026Medium impact
Laser Treatment for Psoriasis and Other Selected Skin Conditions (CPB 0577, reviewed 2026-07-15)
Aetna considers excimer and pulsed dye laser treatment medically necessary for persons with mild-to-moderate localized plaque psoriasis affecting 10% or less of body area who have failed to adequately respond to 3 or more months of topical treatments, including at least 3 of the listed agents. No more than 13 laser treatments per course and 3 courses per year are generally considered medically necessary, and additional courses are not considered medically necessary if the person fails to respond to an initial course, as documented by a reduction in PASI score or other objective response measurement. The policy also covers laser hair removal for recurrent pilonidal cyst, laser treatment for acne keloidalis nuchae and penile intraepithelial neoplasia, and Nd:YAG laser for hidradenitis suppurativa. Combined pulsed dye laser and UVB for localized plaque psoriasis, and excimer or pulsed dye laser for psoriasis other than plaque psoriasis, are considered experimental, investigational or unproven, as is laser treatment for the other listed skin conditions. Laser treatment for acne scarring, keratosis pilaris, pearly penile papules and rhinophyma is considered cosmetic.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi · Identified Jun 20, 2026Medium impact
Chemical Peels
Epidermal chemical peels used to treat photo-aged skin, wrinkles, or acne scarring are considered cosmetic, and dermal chemical peels used as a treatment of end-stage acne scarring are considered cosmetic. Dermal chemical peels used to treat individuals with more than 10 actinic keratoses or other premalignant skin lesions, where treating each lesion becomes impractical, may be considered medically necessary. Epidermal chemical peels used to treat individuals with active acne that has failed a trial of topical and/or oral antibiotic therapy are considered medically necessary, using superficial peels with 40%-70% alpha hydroxy acids as comedolytic therapy.
Independence Blue Cross · Identified Jun 19, 2026Low impact
MA11.109a, Procedures for the Treatment of Acne
This is a reissue of Independence Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Policy MA11.109a confirming the Company's continuing position that laser therapy, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, and chemosurgery for treatment of active acne are NOT covered (experimental/investigational), and services for acne scarring are NOT covered (cosmetic). No substantive policy changes have been made; this is a routine review and reissue.
Independence Blue Cross · Identified Jun 19, 2026Low impact
MA11.109a, Procedures for the Treatment of Acne
Independence Blue Cross has reissued MA11.109a to reaffirm that laser therapy, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, and chemosurgery (chemical peels) for treating active acne vulgaris remain non-covered as experimental/investigational procedures under Medicare Advantage plans. These same procedures for acne scarring remain non-covered as cosmetic services. This is a reaffirmation of the Company's continuing position with no substantive changes to coverage criteria.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What insurance policy changes affect code L73.0?

There are 6 tracked policy changes affecting code L73.0, including updates from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Aetna. Each change may modify coverage criteria, reimbursement rates, or prior-authorization requirements.

Which payers have updated policy for code L73.0?

Payers that have issued tracked updates for code L73.0 include: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Aetna, Independence Blue Cross.

How do I get notified when code L73.0 policy changes?

Create a free account at PolicyChanges.app and save a search filtered to code L73.0. You will get an email when new policy changes reference this code: daily or weekly, your choice, on every plan.

Why do payers change policies for code L73.0?

Payers revise policies for individual billing codes to align with updated clinical guidelines, CMS rule changes, fraud and abuse prevention measures, or network cost-management goals. Changes can affect medical necessity criteria, place-of-service restrictions, bundling rules, or whether a code requires prior authorization.

All billing codes J3590 C9399 J3490 99215 99213 99202

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Light and Laser Therapies for Dermatologic Conditions 8.01.21

Dermabrasion

Laser Treatment for Psoriasis and Other Selected Skin Conditions (CPB 0577, reviewed 2026-07-15)

Chemical Peels

MA11.109a, Procedures for the Treatment of Acne

MA11.109a, Procedures for the Treatment of Acne

What insurance policy changes affect code L73.0?

Which payers have updated policy for code L73.0?

How do I get notified when code L73.0 policy changes?

Why do payers change policies for code L73.0?