Uso de fototerapia a incrementado en los ultimos años.

Phototherapy Utilization Has Grown in the US

J Am Acad Dermatol; ePub 2018 Mar 22; Tan, et al

March 26, 2018

Phototherapy utilization has grown, though service mix has shifted towards UVB and laser excimer and away from psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA), according to a recent study that examined national and historical phototherapy utilization and costs among Medicare beneficiaries. Researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis of Medicare Part B National Summary Data File from 2000-2015 for phototherapy billing codes. Geographic distribution of clinics and provider type was obtained from Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data for 2012-2015.They found:

• Overall volume of phototherapy services billed to Medicare from 2000-2015 increased 5% annually, from 334,670 to 692,093.
• UVB comprised 77% of phototherapy volume, PUVA utilization declined 9% annually, and excimer laser services grew by 29% annually.
• The number of phototherapy clinics is increasing but remains concentrated in only 11% of US counties.
• Between 2012-15, dermatologists accounted for 92% of phototherapy volume.

Citation:

Tan S, Buzney E, Mostaghimi A. Trends in phototherapy utilization among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States, 2000-2015. [Published online ahead of print March 22, 2018]. J Am Acad Dermatol. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.03.018.