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MP 9.01.03 |
Microscopic Examination of Hair |
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| Medical Policy | ||
| Section Miscellaneous Policies |
Original Policy Date 1/30/98 |
Last Review Status/Date Reviewed by consensus/3:2003 |
| Issue 3:2003 |
Return to Medical Policy Index |
Disclaimer
Our medical policies are designed for informational purposes only and are not an authorization, or an explanation of benefits, or a contract. Receipt of benefits is subject to satisfaction of all terms and conditions of the coverage. Medical technology is constantly changing, and we reserve the right to review and update our policies periodically.
Description
Disturbances in the morphology of hair and in the normal pattern of the hair cycle may be evaluated through a microscopic examination of hair, also referred to as a trichogram. Alopecia is the most common clinical indication for this test; hairs are plucked and examined under the microscope to determine the number of hairs that are actively growing (anagen phase) vs. the number that are in the resting phase (telogen). In addition, microscopic examination of clipped hair can reveal structural abnormalities of the hair bulb or shaft.
Policy
Microscopic evaluation of the hair may be medically necessary as part of the workup of patients with hair loss or abnormal-appearing or abnormally growing hair.
Policy Guidelines
No applicable information
Benefit Application
BlueCard/National Account Issues
When there is a benefit for the office visit, during which microscopic analysis of hair is performed, the analysis is considered as part of the evaluation and management of the patient and thus no additional reimbursement is recommended for microscopic hair analysis. If reimbursement for the office visit itself is considered ineligible for coverage due to exclusion of cosmetic services, the microscopic hair analysis is also considered ineligible for coverage.
Rationale
A search of the literature was conducted through the MEDLINE database for the period of January 1995 through October 1997. The search strategy focused on references containing the following terms:
Alopecia
Hair
Trichogram
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Codes |
Number |
Description |
| CPT | 96902 | Microscopic examination of hairs plucked or clipped by the examiner (excluding hair collected by the patient) to determine telogen and anagen counts, or structural hair shaft abnormality |
| ICD-9 Procedure | No code | |
| ICD-9 Diagnosis | 704.00 – 704.09 | Alopecia code range |
| 704.2 | Abnormalities of the hair | |
| 757.4 | Congenital abnormalities of the hair | |
| HCPCS | No code | |
| Type of Service | Dermatology | |
| Place of Service | Office | |
Index
Alopecia, microscopic hair evaluation
Hair evaluation
Microscopic hair evaluation
Trichogram
Policy History
| Date | Action | Reason |
| 1/30/98 | Add to Other section | New policy |
| 4/15/02 | Replace Policy | Policy reviewed without literature review; new review date only |
| 10/09/03 | Replace policy | Policy reviewed by consensus without literature review; no changes in policy; no further review scheduled |
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