December 2, 2021

Question:
How do we code for PDT therapy for treating cutaneous lesions?

Answer:
CPT codes 96567, 96573, and 96574 are used to report nonsurgical treatment of cutaneous lesions using PDT (i.e., external application of light to destroy premalignant lesions of the skin and adjacent mucosa by activation of photosensitizing drug). These codes can only be used once per patient per day, and only one of the 3 codes can be used on a given anatomic area (i.e., face and scalp) on a given day. Original PDT code 96567 (Photodynamic therapy by external application of light to destroy premalignant lesions of the skin and adjacent mucosa with application and illumination/activation of photosensitive drug(s), per day) should be used when there is no physician involvement in treatment delivery.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 12/02/21.