Mohs micrographic surgery utilization in the Medicare population, 2009.

BACKGROUND

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the criterion standard treatment for high-risk skin cancers. Few data on current MMS Utilization are available.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand current trends in MMS use in the Medicare population.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The 2009 Medicare Limited Data Set Standard Analytic File (LDSSAF), carrier claims, 5% sample and the Physician Supplier Procedure Master File (PSPMF) 100% summary were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 2009, 558,447 Medicare MMS cases were performed, with an average of 1.75 stages per case. In the 5% claims sample, 0.3% and 1.3% of MMS cases were performed for melanoma and carcinoma in situ, respectively. Total annual volume predictions for 1,777 providers showed a left-shifted curve. 65.8% of LDSSAF cases had same-day MMS repairs: 48.7% of repairs were complex, 9.8% intermediate, 32.4% flaps, and 7.4% full-thickness skin grafts.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5% LDSSAF is highly predictive of total claim volumes and is useful for modeling practice trends. There is wide variation in MMS provider annual case volume. These data reflect only Medicare Part B enrollees in 2009; 5% LDDSAF extrapolations are predictions based on sampling.