Zhang M, et al. - Researchers analyzed the trends in scope and volume of dermatology procedures billed by advanced practice professionals (APPs) over time. As per observations, an increase in the number and scope of dermatologic procedures performed by APPs has been reported over time but these procedures could be difficult and invasive.

Methods

• For this longitudinal study, researchers used the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File from 2012 through 2015.
• They extracted information regarding nearly all outpatient procedures paid by Medicare Part B in the US and the type of clinician under which procedures were billed.
• For each type of dermatology procedure, the total number performed by APPs and the total number performed by dermatologists each year were the main outcomes of interest.

Results

• For the total number (and percentage) of all dermatologic procedures performed by APPs, an increase from 2.69 million of 30.7 million (8.8%) in 2012 to 4.54 million of 33.9 million (13.4%) in 2015 was evident.
• Destructions of benign neoplasms (3.6 million), biopsies (788,834), and destructions of malignant neoplasms (48,982) were reported as the most common procedures performed by APPs in 2015.
• From 2012 through 2015, an increase was also seen each year in the numbers of patch tests, removals of benign and malignant neoplasms, intermediate and complex repairs, flaps, and surgical pathologic specimen examinations by APPs.