The following is a summary of “Retrospective analysis shows the cost of Mohs surgery decreases when adjusted for medical inflation,” published in the November 2023 issue of Dermatology by Sampath, et al.

Mohs surgery (MS) is the preferred method for addressing nonmelanoma skin cancers in aesthetically critical areas. For a study, researchers sought to understand the financial implications of MS over time, considering the perspectives of patients, payers, and healthcare systems.

A retrospective analysis of claims data spanning 2007 to 2019, sourced from the International Business Machines MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database, was conducted. Specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes related to MS (17311, 17312, 17313, 17314, and 17315) were queried. Aggregate data per claim, encompassing coinsurance, total cost, deductible, copay, and insurance payout, were annually extracted for each CPT code.

The study revealed a significant decrease (P < .001) in the total adjusted cost per claim for four of the five MS-specific CPT codes from 2007 to 2019: 17311 (-25%), 17312 (-15%), 17313 (-25%), and 17314 (-18%). Conversely, the patient’s adjusted out-of-pocket expense experienced a significant increase (P < .0001) for the same four CPT codes: 17311 (33%), 17312 (45%), 17313 (34%), and 17314 (43%).

For the four most frequently utilized MS-specific CPT codes (17311, 17312, 17313, and 17314), the total cost per claim decreased from 2007 to 2019, accompanied by a notable increase in the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses. This finding shed light on the evolving economic landscape of MS procedures over the studied period.

Source: jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(23)01261-6/fulltext