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AetnaCommercial · Coverage · Surgery · DermatologyMedium impact

Dermabrasion, Chemical Peels, and Acne Surgery (CPB 0251, reviewed 2026-04-15)

Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Aug 14, 2026

Summary

Aetna considers dermabrasion for superficial basal cell carcinomas and pre-cancerous actinic keratoses, medium and deep chemical peels for actinic keratoses when there are 15 or more lesions, and specified acne surgery procedures medically necessary when criteria are met. Dermabrasion for active acne, diffuse silicone granuloma, dyschromias, keloids, melasma and vitiligo, chemical peels for active acne, and fractional radiofrequency and micro-needling for acne scars and other listed indications are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven. Dermabrasion for scar revision and removal of acne scars, and chemical peels for acne scarring, melasma, and skin wrinkling or lentigines, are considered cosmetic.

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What to do

Action · 5 steps
01Billing team: For dermabrasion of superficial basal cell carcinomas or actinic keratoses (CPT 15780 through 15783), the policy covers these only when the selection criteria are met: conventional methods such as cryotherapy, curettage and excision are impractical because of the number and distribution of the lesions, and the member has failed a trial of 5-fluorouracil (Efudex) or imiquimod (Aldara), unless contraindicated.
02For medium and deep chemical peels for actinic keratoses (CPT 15789 and 15793), the policy requires 15 or more lesions, so that individual treatment is impractical, and failure to adequately respond to topical 5-FU or imiquimod, unless contraindicated.
03Acne surgery (CPT 10040) and intralesional steroid injection (CPT 11900 and 11901, HCPCS J3301) are covered for the indications listed in the policy when the selection criteria are met.
04Chemical peels for active acne and CPT 15788, 15792 and 17360 are not covered for the indications listed in the policy.
05Check the member's benefit plan descriptions, because exceptions to the cosmetic surgery exclusion may apply to scar revision.

Codes mentioned

15780157811578215783157881578915792157931734017360100401190011901J3301C44.01L57.0L70.0L70.8L73.2L70.2D04.0L92.3L91.0

Original notice

Dermabrasion, Chemical Peels, and Acne Surgery (CPB 0251, reviewed 2026-04-15)
aetna.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

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Related policy hubs

Aetna policiesDermatologyCode 15780Code 15781Code 15782Code 15783Code 15788Code 15789Code 15792Code 15793Code 17340Code 17360Code 10040Code 11900Code 11901Code J3301Code C44.01Code L57.0Code L70.0Code L70.8Code L73.2Code L70.2Code D04.0Code L92.3Code L91.0

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