Summary & Overview
CPT 96910: Photochemotherapy (Goeckerman) with Tar or Petrolatum
Headline: CPT 96910: Photochemotherapy (Goeckerman) for Dermatologic Care
Lead: CPT 96910 describes photochemotherapy that pairs topical tar or petrolatum with ultraviolet B (Goeckerman treatment) to manage inflammatory skin diseases. The code is relevant across dermatology practices and outpatient hospital settings where targeted phototherapy is provided.
What the code represents and why it matters: This code captures a specialized phototherapy service used primarily for chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Its inclusion in procedural coding matters for accurate clinical documentation, billing, and appropriate classification of dermatologic outpatient procedures.
Key payers covered: Analysis includes major national payers such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare.
What readers will learn: The publication summarizes clinical context for CPT 96910, common billing associations, relevant diagnostic indications, and related procedure codes used in dermatologic phototherapy. It highlights payer coverage relevance and typical site-of-service considerations for outpatient hospital delivery.
Scope and limitations: The content is intended for a national audience. Specific state-level policy or local coverage determinations are not included. Data not available in the input for service line details beyond the provided metadata.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 96910 describes photochemotherapy using tar and ultraviolet B (Goeckerman treatment) or petrolatum and ultraviolet B. This procedure is a dermatologic phototherapy technique combining topical agents (coal tar or petrolatum) with targeted ultraviolet B exposure to treat inflammatory skin conditions.
Service type: Dermatology
Typical site of service: Outpatient Hospital (POS 22)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A middle-aged adult with moderate plaque psoriasis presents to an outpatient hospital dermatology clinic for photochemotherapy using topical coal tar plus ultraviolet B (Goeckerman treatment) or petrolatum with ultraviolet B. The clinical workflow begins with a dermatology physician evaluation, documentation of diagnosis and treatment indications, informed consent, and skin assessment. A technologist prepares the treatment area, applies tar or petrolatum as ordered, and delivers controlled UVB exposures in a phototherapy suite. The physician documents the professional component, reviews response at follow-up visits, and adjusts treatment frequency or topical regimen. Billing is performed from the outpatient hospital place of service (POS 22) with separation of professional and technical components as appropriate.
Coding Specifications
Modifier 26 (Professional Component): used when billing only the physician’s professional services related to interpretation, treatment planning, and medical supervision of the photochemotherapy.
Modifier TC (Technical Component): used when billing only the technical services, including equipment, technologist time, and facility resources for delivering the tar + UVB or petrolatum + UVB treatment.
Associated provider taxonomies:
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207N00000X— Dermatology Physician: specialists who evaluate and manage medical dermatologic conditions and direct phototherapy regimens. -
207ND0101X— MOHS-Micrographic Surgery Physician: dermatologic surgeons with training in micrographic procedures; may be involved in skin disease management in specialty practices.