Total Body Photography, Dermoscopy and Other Selected Noninvasive Dermatologic Tests
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Governs medical necessity and coverage determinations for total body photography (TBP), dermoscopy, and selected noninvasive dermatologic tests for Aetna members, including which uses are considered medically necessary versus experimental/investigational or unproven.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Coverage Criteria
Medically necessary indications
Covered when ALL of the following selection criteria are met:
Repeat studies are not typically required more frequently than every 24 months.
Experimental, investigational, or unproven
The following interventions are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven because effectiveness has not been established:
List is not all-inclusive; technologies above are identified in the policy as experimental, investigational, or unproven for the specified indications.
Evidence summary — CAD and EIS
Summary of evidence-based findings and limitations from systematic reviews and primary studies for CAD systems and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS):
Included studies were heterogeneous, incompletely reported, and at unclear to high risk of bias, limiting generalizability to routine practice.
Many studies used selected lesions, image-based reader designs, or had limitations that reduce applicability to in‑vivo clinical practice; further prospective, real-world studies are needed.
Adjunctive test utility and limitations
Adjunctive tests can influence management in specific scenarios but have important limitations and recommended integrations with clinical assessment:
Many supporting studies used image-based designs; in‑vivo impact on outcomes remains limited.
Adjunctive testing should not replace in‑clinic examination and clinical judgment.
Utility is limited by low sensitivity for typical SLN metastatic deposit sizes.
Evidence summaries
Real-world performance characteristics and study findings that inform coverage considerations:
Based on targeted US studies of SLNs.
Longitudinal follow-up cohorts reported very low rates of subsequent melanoma among PLA(-) lesions during follow-up intervals studied.
High sensitivity accompanied by low specificity may lead to many false positives in practice.
Evidence summaries relevant to coverage
Evidence summaries relevant to coverage decisions for Mind.Px and RCM (major findings and limitations):
Limitations include short-term follow-up, incomplete outcome data for some participants, and need for independent external validation; no published net health benefit outcome studies in routine clinical practice to date.
Prospective, real-world comparative studies are needed; RCM has limitations including depth penetration and heterogeneous terminology for non-melanocytic lesions.
TBP (total body photography) and dermoscopy are considered medically necessary only for the specific high‑risk indications listed in this policy (for example, personal or close family history of melanoma, atypical or dysplastic nevi, or non‑melanoma skin cancer). Use of TBP or dermoscopy for indications outside those listed is identified in the policy as experimental, investigational, or unproven because effectiveness has not been established; examples of unproven technologies include computerized TBP systems (e.g., MelaFind, MoleMapCD, MoleMate), AURA, DermTech Nevome, and multiple other listed modalities. Repeat TBP/dermoscopy is generally not required more frequently than every 24 months unless clinically justified.
Systematic reviews of computer‑aided diagnosis (CAD) and spectroscopy‑based systems report high sensitivity for melanoma detection in highly selected study populations but substantial and variable low specificity, and the primary studies are heterogeneous and at unclear or high risk of bias. Review authors concluded that the existing evidence is insufficient to demonstrate that CAD outputs reliably translate into different clinical decision‑making or improved health outcomes in routine practice.
DermTech Nevome is an adhesive‑patch DNA mutation analysis intended to complement PLA by assaying mutations (e.g., BRAF, NRAS, TERT promoter) from noninvasively collected tissue. According to the company, Nevome is currently ordered in conjunction with a positive PLA, but the policy notes a lack of published evidence regarding clinical value and therefore characterizes DermTech Nevome as having insufficient demonstrated clinical utility.
CAD systems evaluated in the literature have largely been studied in selected, referred populations; reviewers were unable to generalize performance to community or unreferred populations. The evidence is also insufficient to support reliable detection of keratinocyte cancers (BCC, cSCC) by CAD, and the policy emphasizes that data are too limited to recommend specific systems for routine practice.
Across multiple comparative studies, dermoscopy remains the best pre‑operative diagnostic tool for pigmented lesions and melanoma screening versus newer adjunctive techniques. Some technologies (for example, SIAscopy / spectrophotometric approaches) have shown lower specificity in studies and therefore should not replace dermoscopy for pre‑operative assessment.
Adhesive patch–based genomic assays (PLA and related platforms) have documented operational limits: they cannot be used on mucous membranes, the palms of the hands, or the soles of the feet. This anatomical restriction applies to current adhesive‑patch collection techniques described in the studies and product information.
Studies and guidance emphasize that a negative PLA result should not override clinical judgment. If a lesion has additional risk factors or there is persistent clinical suspicion or patient concern, the lesion should undergo surgical biopsy despite a negative PLA; PLA is intended as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, histopathologic diagnosis in such cases.
The policy reiterates that adhesive‑patch technologies are anatomically limited: they are not suitable for mucous membranes, palms, or soles, which is noted as a principal restriction of current noninvasive patch assays.
Although multiple studies report high negative predictive values for PLA in intended‑use populations, systematic assessments and health‑technology appraisals have highlighted uncertainty in diagnostic accuracy and the cost‑effectiveness of PLA. The evidence base is described as low quality in some reviews, and cost‑effectiveness analyses have important limitations, which may constrain broader coverage or public funding decisions.
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) shows promise in some settings for evaluating suspicious lesions, but the evidence is limited and heterogeneous. There is insufficient evidence to support RCM as a standalone diagnostic replacement for biopsy for basal cell carcinoma or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in general populations, and primary studies have methodological and applicability concerns.
RCM has intrinsic limitations that affect diagnostic performance: restricted depth penetration can prevent visualization of deeper lesion features, and terminology and interpretation for non‑melanocytic lesions lack uniform consensus, which may reduce reliability and lead to misclassification in some cases.
This Clinical Policy Bulletin provides a concise, selective description of plan‑level coverage positions and supporting evidence; it is intended to assist administration of benefits but does not constitute a contract and does not replace plan documents, medical necessity determinations, or provider clinical judgment.
The policy lists specific codes and technologies (for example, DermTech PLA / patch assays, AURA Raman spectroscopy, computerized TBP systems, and electrical impedance spectroscopy devices) and provides context about their intended uses and coverage stance. Some codes (e.g., CPT 96904) are covered when documented selection criteria are met; other listed codes for experimental or unproven technologies are identified as not covered for the indicated uses. Documentation of indication, device outputs, and clinical rationale is recommended when these technologies are used in practice.
Comparative reviews conclude that computerized TBP/CAD systems have demonstrated high sensitivity in selected studies but the evidence is heterogeneous and of limited quality. There is insufficient evidence that computerized TBP systems improve health outcomes compared with conventional TBP, and their role in community or unreferred populations remains unproven.
Overall, many studies are small, heterogeneous, or subject to bias; the policy highlights that the current evidence base is insufficient or low quality for numerous emerging noninvasive diagnostics, limiting confidence in conclusions about diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, and downstream health outcomes.
Hand‑held fluorescent molecular imaging systems (for example, the Orlucent device) are described as investigational in the policy because evidence of effectiveness is lacking for evaluating a mole’s transition to atypia; clinical trials are ongoing but current data do not support routine clinical use.
High‑frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and ultra‑high‑frequency ultrasound have been studied as adjuncts for lesion and sentinel lymph node assessment, but evidence is preliminary and heterogeneous. HFUS may detect larger nodal metastases (macrometastases) but has low sensitivity for micrometastases and cannot replace sentinel lymph node biopsy; available studies are insufficient to support HFUS as a diagnostic replacement.
Mind.Px (a dermal biomarker patch and NGS‑based transcriptomic classifier) has analytic and early clinical validation data but no published net health‑outcome studies in routine clinical practice. The policy notes a lack of published clinical practice data and concludes that clinical utility and effect on long‑term outcomes remain unestablished.
Mind.Px lacks published evidence demonstrating net health benefit in clinical practice. Separately, evidence for RCM in diagnosing non‑melanocytic skin cancers (BCC, cSCC) is limited and heterogeneous; routine substitution of these modalities for histopathology is not supported by current data.
Sequential digital dermoscopy (SDD) and TBP are guideline‑recommended surveillance strategies for high‑risk patients and can detect some slow‑growing melanomas by documenting change over time. However, studies show that in low‑risk populations long‑term SDD may not demonstrably improve early diagnosis compared with periodic hand‑held dermoscopy, and evidence is insufficient to support broad application of long‑term SDD in low‑risk subjects.
Coding
| 96904 | Whole body integumentary photography, for monitoring of high-risk patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome or a history of dysplastic nevi, or patients with a personal or family history of melanoma. |
| 0089U | Oncology (melanoma), gene expression profiling by RTqPCR, PRAME and LINC00518, superficial collection using adhesive patch(es). |
| 0258U | Autoimmune (psoriasis), mRNA, next- generation sequencing, gene expression profiling of 50-100 genes, skin-surface collection using adhesive patch, algorithm reported as likelihood of response to psoriasis biologics. |
| 0635U | Autoimmune (atopic dermatitis), mRNA, next generation sequencing (NGS), gene expression profiling of 487 genes, noninvasive skin surface scraping, algorithm reported as likelihood of response to therapy [AdvanceAD-Tx]. |
| 0658T | Electrical impedance spectroscopy of 1 or more skin lesions for automated melanoma risk score. |
| 0700T | Molecular fluorescent imaging of suspicious nevus; first lesion. |
| 0701T | Molecular fluorescent imaging of suspicious nevus; each additional lesion. |
| 1020T | Raman spectroscopy of 1 or more skin lesions, with probability score for malignant risk derived by algorithmic analysis of data from each lesion [AURA system (Vita Imaging)]. |
| 96931 | Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) for cellular and sub-cellular imaging of skin. |
| 96932 | Reflectance confocal microscopy (additional or related codes listed 96931-96936 in policy). |
| C43.0 - C43.9 | Malignant melanoma of the skin |
| D22.0 - D23.9 | Melanocytic nevi and other benign neoplasms of the skin |
| Z80.8 | Family history of malignant neoplasm of other organs or systems |
| Z85.820 | Personal history of malignant melanoma of skin |
| Z85.828 | Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skin |
| Z86.018 | Personal history of other benign neoplasm (dysplastic nevus) |
| Z87.2 | Personal history of diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (atypical and dysplastic nevus) |
| C44.01, C44.111 - C44.1192, C44.211 - C44.219, C44.310 - C44.319, C44.41, C44.510 - C44.519, C44.611 - C44.619, C44.711 - C44.719, C44.81, C44.91 | Basal cell carcinoma and other non-melanoma skin cancer codes (listed as not covered for certain indications) |
| L08.89 - L08.9 | Other local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue |
| L20.0 - L20.9 | Atopic dermatitis |
| No codes listed |
Provider Actions and Billing Considerations
CPT 96904: bill only if selection criteria met
CPT 96904 (whole body integumentary photography) is covered only when the member meets the policy’s selection criteria—examples include high‑risk patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome, a history of dysplastic nevi, or a personal or family history of melanoma. Repeat studies are not typically required more frequently than every 24 months.
- Use CPT 96904 only for members who meet listed high‑risk indications (atypical nevi, dysplastic nevi, melanoma, or non‑melanoma skin cancers).
- Document intended monitoring interval; typical maximum frequency ~24 months.
Consider prior authorization for AdvanceAD‑Tx (limited evidence)
AdvanceAD‑Tx and similar molecular therapy‑selection tests currently have limited evidence (single prospective validation); prior authorization may be appropriate and payers may request supporting documentation until stronger guideline support exists.
- Evidence limited to a single prospective validation study with modest sample size.
- Expect payers to request documentation of indication and rationale if submitted for coverage consideration.
No PA rules stated in these excerpts
No explicit prior authorization requirements or codes are specified in the cited policy excerpts for the technologies described in these sections.
- Policy text in these chunks does not list PA rules or specific CPT/HCPCS codes requiring prior authorization.
No explicit prior authorization in this section
The provided policy excerpts do not state explicit prior‑authorization rules for the devices and tests discussed in these chunks.
- Review other policy sections or payer plan provisions for any local PA requirements.
Assay/device descriptions relevant to PA considerations
The document describes commercially available non‑invasive assays and devices (e.g., DermTech PLA, MelaFind, MoleSafe, multi‑photon devices) which provide context for potential PA considerations, but does not list specific PA codes here.
- These descriptions can inform PA requests that seek device/test details and rationale for clinical use.
No PA or code restrictions stated here
These chunks do not include explicit prior authorization requirements or billed‑code restrictions for the technologies discussed.
- Providers should verify plan‑specific PA rules as they are not specified in these excerpts.
PA not addressed; PLA alters management in studies
Clinical utility studies report PLA results alter management (PLA(+) → biopsy in the vast majority; PLA(−) → surveillance in ~99%), but prior authorization is not addressed in this excerpt.
- Document PLA result and management to support clinical decisions when used.
No PA specified; document appropriate use
No explicit prior authorization requirements are specified in these chunks; evidence summaries emphasize appropriate patient selection and documentation when using non‑invasive tests.
- Provide indication and supporting documentation if payer requests prior authorization.
Limited evidence—prior authorization may be required
Given limited and variable evidence for some tests, prior authorization is likely to be required and payers may request supporting documentation including indication, prior treatments, and rationale for use (e.g., Mind.Px or RCM).
- Prepare to supply clinical indication, prior therapy history, and justification of how the test will change management.
PA consideration for SDD/TBP—document guideline‑recommended high‑risk use
SDD and TBP are guideline‑recommended for high‑risk subjects; when used for monitoring these patients, clinicians should be prepared to document guideline‑based indication and follow‑up plans if prior authorization or coverage justification is requested.
- Use TBP/SDD primarily for high‑risk patients; justify use in low‑risk patients if requested.
No PA specified in policy history excerpt
This excerpt (policy history/review dates) does not specify prior authorization requirements for CPT/HCPCS codes in this section.
- Check plan‑level PA policies; the Clinical Policy Bulletin itself does not guarantee PA procedures.
No PA requirements in additional information
No prior authorization requirements are stated in the additional information sections cited.
- Providers remain responsible for verifying plan‑specific PA requirements.
No step therapy requirements specified
The policy does not specify any step therapy requirements for the devices and tests discussed in these chunks.
- No stepwise testing or treatment algorithms are defined in this portion of the policy.
Step therapy: not applicable in these excerpts
Explicit step therapy rules are not provided in this document segment and therefore are not applicable here.
- Mind.Px and AdvanceAD‑Tx are discussed as precision tests but no step therapy sequencing is mandated.
No step therapy algorithms provided
No step therapy algorithms are described in these policy excerpts.
- Providers should follow clinical guidelines and plan formularies for therapy sequencing.
No step therapy; EIS may complement dermoscopy
No formal step therapy algorithms are described; evidence suggests EIS may complement dermoscopy for less‑experienced providers but does not define mandatory steps.
- Consider using EIS as an adjunct to dermoscopy, particularly if not routinely trained in dermoscopy, but document clinical exam findings.
PLA results commonly used as a pre‑biopsy decision step
Studies describe PLA‑guided management where PLA(+) lesions are typically biopsied and PLA(−) lesions are monitored—functioning as a decision step before surgical biopsy in practice, though the policy does not formalize a step therapy requirement.
- Record PLA result and the subsequent management decision (biopsy vs surveillance) in the medical record.
No step therapy rules stated
No step therapy requirements are specified in these cited chunks.
- Continue to follow standard clinical pathways when PLA or other adjunctive tests are inconclusive.
Mind.Px may influence biologic selection (affects stepwise therapy)
Mind.Px is intended to inform biologic class selection for psoriasis to reduce empirical trial‑and‑error prescribing and may affect stepwise biologic selection; clinical utility studies used baseline and follow‑up PASI scores to assess outcomes.
- If used to guide biologic selection, document baseline PASI and follow‑up PASI (weeks 4 and 12) and the rationale for choosing the biologic informed by Mind.Px.
No provider actions specified in these excerpts
No additional provider actions are specified in the cited excerpts.
- Refer to full policy or plan provisions for any further requirements.
No step therapy requirements mentioned
These chunks do not mention any step therapy requirements for the tests or devices discussed.
- Providers should follow plan‑specific utilization management rules where applicable.
Document indication and monitoring interval when billing 96904
When billing CPT 96904 for whole‑body integumentary photography, document that the member meets the policy selection criteria (e.g., atypical or dysplastic nevi, personal/family history of melanoma) and record the intended monitoring interval (repeat studies generally not more frequent than every 24 months).
- Include clinical indication and planned follow‑up interval in the chart when billing 96904.
- Ensure documentation shows high‑risk status per policy indications.
Include device outputs and demographic inputs in documentation
For FDA‑validated devices and algorithms (e.g., AURA), include device‑generated diagnostic outputs and any patient demographic inputs used by the algorithm when submitting documentation for clinical decision‑making or coverage review.
- Document device output, algorithm version, and demographic variables used in analysis if relied upon for diagnostic decisions.
No extra documentation rules in these excerpts (histopathology used in studies)
These chunks do not specify additional documentation requirements beyond study descriptions, which note use of histopathology confirmation and EIS scoring thresholds in protocols.
- When applicable, retain histopathology reports that correlate with non‑invasive test results.
Document in‑clinic exam and rationale when adjunctive tests lead to surveillance
Document the in‑clinic, in‑vivo examination and the clinical rationale when adjunctive test results (for example an EIS score interpreted as low) lead to monitoring instead of excision; note any limitations of ancillary tests and plan for short‑term reassessment if indicated.
- Record lesion appearance on dermoscopy, EIS score, and reason for choosing surveillance versus biopsy.
- Plan and document follow‑up interval and reassessment criteria.
Record PLA result, genes tested (LINC00518, PRAME), and management decision
When PLA is used, document the PLA test result including which genes were assessed (LINC00518, PRAME), the clinical decision taken (biopsy versus surveillance), and the planned follow‑up interval.
- Include PLA gene detection status (LINC, PRAME, or both) and how result informed management.
- Retain corresponding histopathology if biopsy performed or follow‑up notes if surveilled.
Keep biopsy pathology and documented follow‑up to support test performance
Studies establishing test performance relied on biopsy pathology reports and documented clinical follow‑up; providers should retain biopsy pathology and evidence of adequate follow‑up to validate outcomes when using non‑invasive tests.
- Maintain biopsy pathology reports or documented clinical monitoring for the follow‑up period used in validation studies (e.g., 3–12 months or longer as applicable).
Record PLA result and the subsequent management decision
Clinical management in studies commonly followed PLA results (PLA(+) → biopsy; PLA(−) → surveillance); providers should record the PLA result and the resulting management decision in the medical record.
- Document concordance between PLA result and clinical action, and rationale if management deviates from typical PLA‑guided pathways.
Retain biopsy reports and follow‑up documentation to validate results
Supporting documentation used in studies and registries included biopsy pathology reports and documented clinical follow‑up; providers should retain these sources when using PLA or similar tests to support clinical outcomes.
- Ensure follow‑up durations and outcomes are documented when relying on non‑invasive test results to avoid gaps that could undermine a negative test’s assumed NPV.
Document baseline and follow‑up PASI when using Mind.Px
Mind.Px utility in trials was supported by documentation of baseline and follow‑up PASI scores (weeks 4 and 12); if using Mind.Px to guide biologic selection, document baseline PASI and subsequent PASI assessments to support clinical benefit.
- Record baseline PASI and follow‑up PASI at the time points used in studies (week 4 and week 12) when presenting evidence of clinical response tied to Mind.Px‑guided therapy.
Document image acquisition details and reference standard for teledermatology
For teledermatology assessments, document image acquisition details (who acquired images, device type, settings) and the reference standard used (histology, clinical follow‑up, or face‑to‑face specialist decision) to support diagnostic claims.
- Include image source, resolution, dermoscopic versus clinical photo, and comparator (biopsy or follow‑up) in the medical record.
Use Clinical Policy Bulletins and document per plan provisions
Providers must use Clinical Policy Bulletins to assist in administering plan benefits and ensure documentation aligns with plan provisions; Clinical Policy Bulletins are not guarantees of coverage.
- Confirm coverage and PA rules with the member’s plan; document justification per plan requirements.
Risk of denial when billing experimental/computerized TBP systems
Services using computerized TBP systems (e.g., MelaFind, MoleMapCD, MoleMate, MoleSafe) and other listed experimental technologies are identified in the policy as not covered for the evaluated indications; billing these services for those indications risks denial.
- Do not bill covered TBP CPT 96904 for computerized TBP systems that the policy lists as experimental for the indicated uses.
- If such devices are used, be prepared for likely claim denial for the indicated (non‑covered) uses.
CAD tools (e.g., MoleMate) can increase inappropriate referrals—risk of denial
Randomized trial data showed MoleMate did not improve appropriateness of referrals and increased referrals without improving referral appropriateness; reliance on such CAD tools in lieu of guideline‑based assessment may increase risk of inappropriate referrals and potential denials.
- When using CAD tools, also document clinician exam and guideline‑based rationale for referral to reduce risk of inappropriate referral denials.
No explicit billing/authorization rules in these excerpts
These chunks do not specify coverage authorization or billing requirements for the technologies discussed.
- Verify plan‑specific billing rules; absence of statements here does not imply coverage.
Avoid decisions based solely on adjunctive device outputs (EIS) — document combined assessment
Diagnostic adjuncts like EIS can produce false negatives or false positives; avoid making management decisions based solely on device outputs without in‑vivo clinical assessment and document the combined clinical and device findings to support management.
- Record both dermoscopic/in‑clinic exam findings and the EIS score when EIS influences biopsy versus surveillance decisions.
- If management deviates from device recommendation, document the clinical rationale.
If deviating from PLA guidance, document additional clinical rationale
If management departs from PLA guidance (for example failing to biopsy a PLA(+) lesion or biopsying a PLA(−) lesion without documented additional clinical concern), document the additional clinical rationale and supporting evidence to justify the decision.
- Provide clear documentation of additional risk factors or findings that prompted deviation from PLA‑guided pathways.
Biopsy despite negative PLA when clinical concern persists—document reasons
If additional risk factors or persistent clinical suspicion exist despite a negative PLA, perform and document a surgical biopsy—clinical judgment supersedes test results when concern remains.
- Document the specific risk factors or suspicious features that prompted biopsy despite a negative PLA.
Risk from inadequate follow‑up of PLA(−) lesions—ensure documented reassessment
Inadequate follow‑up of PLA(−) lesions can undermine the assumed negative predictive value; ensure and document appropriate reassessment and surveillance intervals to support a non‑biopsy management plan.
- Document planned surveillance intervals and any repeat testing or re‑examination timelines.
Overuse risk—document clear clinical indication to avoid denials
Overuse of non‑invasive tests for reassurance in inappropriate patients may lead to inappropriate testing and potential denials; document clinical indication and why testing is necessary rather than for patient reassurance alone.
- Include specific clinical indications and risk factors in the chart to justify use of non‑invasive diagnostic tests.
Evidence limitations may trigger non‑coverage—document rationale when using RCM
Evidence limitations (high/unclear risk of bias and applicability concerns) for some technologies (eg, RCM) may lead to non‑coverage or denial if used in place of histopathology; document rationale and supporting evidence if relying on these modalities.
- When using RCM for diagnostic decisions, retain supporting evidence and document why biopsy was deferred.
Teledermatology: ensure appropriate selection and documentation to avoid denials
Teledermatology studies often had high/unclear bias and limited applicability; ensure appropriate patient selection and thorough documentation when relying on teledermatology to support triage or diagnosis to reduce denial risk.
- Document image acquisition, who reviewed the images, and the reference standard used (biopsy or follow‑up).
Coverage and denial risk note—CPBs do not guarantee coverage
Clinical Policy Bulletins provide a partial description of benefits and do not guarantee coverage; providers are independent and responsible for treatment decisions—lack of documentation or failure to meet plan criteria may result in denials.
- Confirm member coverage and document clinical justification per plan requirements before billing.
External links are informational only—do not affect coverage rules
Links to external (non‑Aetna) resources are provided for convenience only; Aetna is not responsible for external content or privacy practices—these links do not change coverage or documentation requirements.
- Do not rely on external links as substitute for payer documentation or plan provisions.
Definitions
Total body photography (TBP) and dermoscopy are noninvasive imaging modalities used to document and longitudinally monitor cutaneous lesions to support earlier detection of skin cancer in higher‑risk patients. Dermoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy compared with naked‑eye examination but is operator dependent; histopathology remains the diagnostic gold standard. TBP can aid surveillance of patients with numerous nevi or a history of melanoma and is typically used at intervals not more frequent than 24 months unless clinically indicated.
Background
TBP and dermoscopy function as noninvasive imaging tools for baseline documentation and longitudinal comparison of skin lesions. When used appropriately in selected high‑risk patients, these techniques facilitate monitoring for change over time and support decisions about biopsy versus clinical surveillance, but they are not substitutes for histologic diagnosis when clinical concern persists.
Revision History
Policy became effective.
Policy last reviewed.
Next scheduled policy review date.
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