Phototherapy is Cost-Effective Treatment Alternative

Although some have speculated use of phototherapy for dermatologic conditions has decreased in recent years, a Medicare analysis of 15 years of data has actually identified a rise in phototherapy use since the year 2000. Researchers published their findings in the October 2018 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“Phototherapy is a cost-effective treatment for many dermatoses, yet the emergence of alternative therapies such as biologics led many to think that phototherapy utilization was declining,” researchers explained.

To identify trends in phototherapy use in the United States, researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis of the Medicare Part B National Summary Data File from 2000 to 2015 for phototherapy billing codes. To gain insight into the geographic distribution of clinics and the professionals providing phototherapy, they used Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data for 2012 to 2015.

The volume of phototherapy services billed to Medicare between 2000 and 2015 grew 5% annually, according to the study. The majority (77%) of phototherapy services involved ultraviolet B therapy. While the use of psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy dropped 9% annually, excimer laser services grew 29% annually.

The study also found an increase in the number of clinics providing phototherapy; however, most are concentrated in 11% of counties in the United States. Dermatologists managed 92% of phototherapy services between 2012 and 2015.

“Phototherapy utilization has grown, though the service mix has shifted toward ultraviolet B and laser excimer therapy and away from psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy,” researchers wrote. “Uneven geographic distribution of phototherapy clinics limits access in nonurban areas, and further evaluation is needed to determine its impact on rural communities.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

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