Summary & Overview
CPT 96902: Hair Pluck and Microscopic Hair Analysis
CPT code 96902 represents a diagnostic dermatology procedure in which the clinician plucks hairs from a patient’s scalp and examines them microscopically to determine telogen and anagen counts or identify structural hair shaft abnormalities. Nationally, this code matters for providers diagnosing alopecia subtypes, hair shaft disorders, and for dermatologic workups that guide clinical management.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for the procedure, payer coverage considerations, common billing modifiers, and where this service is typically provided. The publication also summarizes benchmarks and payment policy updates where available and highlights coding and documentation elements relevant to claims processing.
This summary equips billing managers, dermatology clinicians, and revenue-cycle staff with a clear understanding of what CPT code 96902 represents, why it is used clinically, and the payer landscape to consider when preparing claims or reviewing coverage policies.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 96902 describes a hair pluck and microscopic examination procedure in which the provider plucks hairs from the patient’s scalp and examines them under a microscope to calculate telogen and anagen counts or to evaluate structural hair shaft abnormalities. This service is a diagnostic dermatologic procedure performed to assess hair growth cycle distribution and identify hair shaft disorders.
Service type: Diagnostic dermatology procedure (hair shaft and growth-cycle analysis)
Typical site of service: Outpatient dermatology clinic or dermatopathology laboratory setting
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 35-year-old patient presents to a dermatology clinic with progressive diffuse hair thinning over six months. The dermatologist performs a focused scalp exam and documents pattern and distribution of hair loss. To differentiate telogen effluvium from active alopecia areata or androgenetic alopecia, the provider plucks multiple hairs from affected scalp areas and prepares them for microscopic evaluation to determine telogen and anagen counts and assess hair shaft structure. The procedure is performed in-office in an outpatient dermatology setting; specimens are examined immediately by the provider using a light microscope or prepared slides for cytologic or structural assessment. Findings guide diagnosis and subsequent management decisions such as laboratory testing, topical or systemic therapy, or referral to a specialist. Typical workflow: history and physical exam → informed consent and explanation of the hair pluck procedure → hair sampling and microscopy (96902) → documentation of counts and structural findings in the medical record → clinical decision-making and follow-up plan.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional Component | When only the professional interpretation of the microscopy is billed separate from technical component |