Dermabrasion, Chemical Peels, and Acne Surgery

Covered: dermabrasion (including CO2) for superficial basal cell carcinomas and actinic keratoses only when conventional removal is impractical due to number/distribution AND the member has failed topical 5‑FU or imiquimod (unless contraindicated); medium/deep chemical peels for actinic keratoses/premalignant lesions when ≥15 lesions make individual treatment impractical and topical 5‑FU or imiquimod has failed (unless contraindicated); acne surgery (marsupialization, removal of multiple milia/comedones/cysts/pustules), intralesional steroids for inflammatory nodulocystic acne, and specified surgical procedures for hidradenitis suppurativa (I&D for Stage I–II; punch debridement/unroofing/excision for Stage II–III). Not covered/limited: dermabrasion/microdermabrasion and chemical peels are investigational for active acne and other non‑listed indications; dermabrasion is contraindicated in active acne and within 6 months of isotretinoin and is cosmetic (not covered) for acne scar removal; chemical peels are not medically necessary for simple non‑malignant lesions; cryoslush/liquid nitrogen for acne (CPT 17340) is experimental/investigational.