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Blue Cross & Blue Shield of MississippiAll Plans · Coverage · Medical Policy · DermatologyMedium impact

Light Therapy for Psoriasis

Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Jun 20, 2026

Summary

PUVA may be considered medically necessary for severe, disabling psoriasis that does not respond to other conservative treatments such as topical corticosteroids, coal/tar preparations, and ultraviolet light. Targeted phototherapy may be considered medically necessary for moderate-to-severe localized psoriasis comprising less than 20% body area when NB-UVB or PUVA are indicated, and for mild-to-moderate localized psoriasis that is unresponsive to conservative treatment. Targeted phototherapy is considered investigational as first-line treatment of mild psoriasis and for generalized psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

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What to do

Action · 6 steps
01Billing team: Report excimer laser treatment for psoriasis as CPT 96920 when the total area is less than 250 sq cm, CPT 96921 when it is 250 sq cm to 500 sq cm, and CPT 96922 when it is over 500 sq cm.
02Providers: Document the disease severity using body surface area, where mild psoriasis affects less than 5%, moderate psoriasis affects 5% to 10%, and severe disease affects more than 10%, with lesion location and impact on quality of life also taken into account.
03For PUVA, document that the severe, disabling psoriasis has not responded to other forms of conservative therapy.
04For targeted phototherapy, document the localized psoriasis and the conservative treatment it has or has not responded to.
05During PUVA therapy, the patient must be assessed on a regular basis to check effectiveness and adverse effects, and PUVA is generally not recommended for home therapy.
06Check each member's specific benefit plan language, because the policy guidelines should not be used in place of it.

Codes mentioned

969209692196922L40.0L40.9

Original notice

Light Therapy for Psoriasis
bcbsms.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

See all Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi changes →
State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan - Chronic Plaque PsoriasisMediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyBrowse every Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi change in the policy list

Related policy hubs

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi policiesDermatologyCode 96920Code 96921Code 96922Code L40.0Code L40.9

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