Cost Analysis: Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Abstract

This study confirms MMS as the cornerstone of cost-effective treatment, regardless of place of service or type of margin control pathology.

National utilization patterns of Mohs micrographic surgery for invasive melanoma and melanoma in situ

“…27 This misperception is often caused by the characteristic bundling of surgical and surgical pathology codes together into a single reimbursement for the Mohs surgeon. 28,29 Studies addressing the cost-effectiveness of various treatments for skin cancer have shown that MMS is the least expensive surgical option when compared with wide local excision with either frozen or permanent sections.…”

“…28,29 Studies addressing the cost-effectiveness of various treatments for skin cancer have shown that MMS is the least expensive surgical option when compared with wide local excision with either frozen or permanent sections. [27][28][29][30] When adjusted for inflation, the cost of solely MMS was lower in 2009 ($1378) than in 1998 ($1635). 27 However, conclusions regarding the cost effectiveness of MMS are still the subject of debate.…”

“…[27][28][29][30] When adjusted for inflation, the cost of solely MMS was lower in 2009 ($1378) than in 1998 ($1635). 27 However, conclusions regarding the cost effectiveness of MMS are still the subject of debate. 31 Importantly, none of the studies cited specifically examine the use of MMS for melanoma.…”

Implementation of fluorescence confocal mosaicking microscopy by “early adopter” Mohs surgeons and dermatologists: recent progress

“…5,6 Currently, an estimated 1.5 million surgeries are performed every year, with treatments costs of about $2 billion. 7 Mohs surgery allows surgeons to obtain clear tumor margins while maximizing normal tissue preservation, making it the treatment of choice for recurrent BCCs and for BCCs on anatomically sensitive areas, such as the face. 8 Precise tumor clearance during Mohs surgery is achieved by excising thin layers sequentially and mapping residual skin cancer.…”

Combined reflectance confocal microscopy-optical coherence tomography for delineation of basal cell carcinoma margins: anex vivostudy

“…8,9 Currently, an estimated 1.5 million surgeries are performed every year for nonmelanoma skin cancers (both BCCs and squamous cell carcinomas), with treatment costs of about $2 billion. 10 Mohs surgery is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. Consequently, less invasive and less expensive nonsurgical alternative therapies are being increasingly developed.…”