The American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Editorial Panel has accepted revision to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 96920-96922, expanding reimbursement eligibility for excimer laser treatments to include multiple inflammatory and auto-immune skin conditions beyond their original psoriasis indication in its May, 2025 summary of panel actions.

The updated CPT descriptor aligns the codes with current U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearances and commercial payer coverage guidelines. The changes are anticipated to reduce systemic denials and the need for prior authorizations. Further, the revised language now explicitly includes the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune skin conditions, enabling coverage for conditions such as vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, lichen planus, alopecia areata, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Expand Access

This change is expected to expand direct and clear reimbursement path and domestic market access from the roughly 10 million psoriasis patients covered today, to over 30 million potential patients, without the need to individually seek pre-determination of coverage, including:

• 3 million with vitiligo
• 16.5 million with atopic dermatitis
• 4.6 million with alopecia areata

STRATA has long advocated for expanding XTRAC excimer laser indications, culminating in a formal CPT Code Change Application submitted by the company in collaboration with dermatologists, including

• Mark Lebwohl, MD, Dean for Clinical Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY, President of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) during 2015–2016
• Pearl Grimes, MD, President of the Global Vitiligo Foundation
• Elisabeth “Betsy” Richard, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, Member, Board of Directors, The Photodermatology Society

Experts React

“We believe this long-anticipated milestone reflects the XTRAC excimer laser’s broader clinical utility,” says Dr. Dolev Rafaeli, STRATA CEO, in a news release. “This CPT update not only establishes the use of excimer laser beyond psoriasis, which validates volumes of data demonstrating the utility. It now also supports our mission to expand access to safe, effective, non-drug dermatologic solutions for patients in need.”

“Phototherapy—and excimer laser in particular—has transformed the treatment landscape for vitiligo and atopic dermatitis,” says Dr. Lebwohl. “This CPT code update strongly validates 308nm excimer laser’s broader clinical value and represents a vital step toward expanding patient access.”

Dr. Grimes adds, “This update is a major victory for the vitiligo community. For too long, insurance coverage has lagged behind clinical practice. Excimer laser is a vital tool in our therapeutic arsenal, and this change will allow more patients to benefit—safely, affordably, and equitably.”

Dr. Richard emphasized the clinical significance, stating, “Excimer lasers have been a cornerstone of targeted phototherapy for decades. When insurance coverage is limited, patient access to this irreplaceable treatment is jeopardized. This update safeguards the access to excimer laser treatments.”