Comparison of shave and punch biopsy utilization among dermatology practices

Sheena Desai; Andrew Creadore; Lyn M. Duncan; Christine G. Lian; Mariko R. Yasuda; Arash Mostaghimi; John S. Barbieri; Rebecca I. Hartman

doi:10.12788/cutis.0206

Comparison of shave and punch biopsy utilization among dermatology practices

Sheena Desai, Andrew Creadore, Lyn M. Duncan, Christine G. Lian, Mariko R. Yasuda, Arash Mostaghimi, John S. Barbieri, Rebecca I. Hartman

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

In 2019, the 2 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for skin biopsies were replaced with 6 new CPT codes to allow for technique specification and differential reimbursement. We sought to evaluate whether the concurrent decrease in reimbursement for shave biopsies and increase in reimbursement for punch biopsies led to utilization changes. We examined shave and punch biopsies submitted for pathologic examination at 3 academic centers in May 2018 and May 2019. We performed χ²tests to evaluate for changes in the ratio of biopsy utilization over time, with subgroup analyses by practice setting and provider type. Totals included 11,785 (12.11% punch) and 11,291 (12.08% punch) biopsies submitted in May 2018 and May 2019, respectively. Our results demonstrate small yet important changes in biopsy use patterns within the context of recent reimbursement changes when analyzing academic and private practices separately. Although small in magnitude, this change in behavior may have a substantial impact when extrapolated to behavior across the nation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	151-152
Number of pages	2
Journal	Cutis
Volume	107
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.12788/cutis.0206
State	Published - Mar 2021
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Comparison of shave and punch biopsy utilization among dermatology practices",

abstract = "In 2019, the 2 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for skin biopsies were replaced with 6 new CPT codes to allow for technique specification and differential reimbursement. We sought to evaluate whether the concurrent decrease in reimbursement for shave biopsies and increase in reimbursement for punch biopsies led to utilization changes. We examined shave and punch biopsies submitted for pathologic examination at 3 academic centers in May 2018 and May 2019. We performed χ2tests to evaluate for changes in the ratio of biopsy utilization over time, with subgroup analyses by practice setting and provider type. Totals included 11,785 (12.11% punch) and 11,291 (12.08% punch) biopsies submitted in May 2018 and May 2019, respectively. Our results demonstrate small yet important changes in biopsy use patterns within the context of recent reimbursement changes when analyzing academic and private practices separately. Although small in magnitude, this change in behavior may have a substantial impact when extrapolated to behavior across the nation.",

author = "Sheena Desai and Andrew Creadore and Duncan, {Lyn M.} and Lian, {Christine G.} and Yasuda, {Mariko R.} and Arash Mostaghimi and Barbieri, {John S.} and Hartman, {Rebecca I.}",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.12788/cutis.0206",

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AU - Desai, Sheena

AU - Creadore, Andrew

AU - Duncan, Lyn M.

AU - Lian, Christine G.

AU - Yasuda, Mariko R.

AU - Mostaghimi, Arash

AU - Barbieri, John S.

AU - Hartman, Rebecca I.

PY - 2021/3

Y1 - 2021/3

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AB - In 2019, the 2 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for skin biopsies were replaced with 6 new CPT codes to allow for technique specification and differential reimbursement. We sought to evaluate whether the concurrent decrease in reimbursement for shave biopsies and increase in reimbursement for punch biopsies led to utilization changes. We examined shave and punch biopsies submitted for pathologic examination at 3 academic centers in May 2018 and May 2019. We performed χ2tests to evaluate for changes in the ratio of biopsy utilization over time, with subgroup analyses by practice setting and provider type. Totals included 11,785 (12.11% punch) and 11,291 (12.08% punch) biopsies submitted in May 2018 and May 2019, respectively. Our results demonstrate small yet important changes in biopsy use patterns within the context of recent reimbursement changes when analyzing academic and private practices separately. Although small in magnitude, this change in behavior may have a substantial impact when extrapolated to behavior across the nation.

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Comparison of shave and punch biopsy utilization among dermatology practices

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