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In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy.

Amanda Levine¹, Orit Markowitz¹

¹Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York; the Department of Dermatology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York; and the Department of Dermatology, New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn.

|July 8, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) now has CPT codes for reimbursement, similar to skin biopsies. This review covers RCM

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Area of Science:

Dermatology and medical imaging technologies.

Background:

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an advanced imaging technique for in vivo skin examination.
Recent regulatory changes impact the clinical and economic viability of RCM.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of RCM imaging.
To outline guidelines for RCM reimbursement, including acquisition, reading, and interpretation.
To discuss the benefits and limitations of RCM in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

Literature review of RCM imaging studies.
Analysis of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and reimbursement policies from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Discussion of clinical case examples illustrating RCM utility.

Main Results:

RCM has achieved Category I CPT codes, enabling reimbursement comparable to skin biopsies.
RCM offers significant benefits in diagnosing various skin conditions and guiding treatment planning.
Limitations include technical expertise requirements and potential imaging artifacts.

Conclusions:

The establishment of CPT codes enhances the accessibility and adoption of RCM in dermatological practice.
Understanding reimbursement guidelines is crucial for clinicians utilizing RCM.
RCM represents a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool with expanding clinical applications.