Surface Pathology

Trauma Scars

a. Neck or Face 

• Includes non-hair bearing areas of the scalp. 

• Repair of all significant and unsightly such scars, including acne scars, is a benefit of MSP. 

• Repair procedures will depend upon the lesion but may include excision, revision, dermabrasion, etc. Rhytidectomy procedures to remove scar prominence, however, are not a benefit of MSP. 

• Implantation of collagen, etc. to restore contour, or chemical abrasion to reduce hyperpigmentation are not benefits of MSP except in those rare cases where the pitting or the pigmentation is so severe that a generally acceptable result would not be possible without these procedures. 

• MSP authorization for repair of such scars is required.

b. Scars in other Anatomical Areas

• Repair of scars which interfere with function or which are significantly symptomatic (pain, local irritation, etc.) is a benefit of MSP.

• Scars with no significant symptoms or functional interference: 

(i) Repair is a benefit if such repair is carried out within a reasonable period of convalescence, or is part of a pre-planned post-traumatic (including post surgical) staged process. MSP notification must be included as part of the planning process in the latter case. 

(ii) Other post-traumatic scar revision is not a benefit of MSP. 

(iii) Revision of acne scars other than on the face or neck is not a benefit of MSP. 

• MSP authorization is required for all scar repair procedures

Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars

a. Head or Neck 

• The repair of all significant and unsightly scars, such as keloids, is a benefit of MSP. 

• Repair procedures may include excision and/or injection. 

b. Excision of keloids in other areas 

• Not a benefit of MSP unless significantly symptomatic or there is functional impairment.

Tattoos 

a. Face and Neck 

• Excision or destruction of all significant and unsightly tattoos is a benefit of MSP

• Authorization is not required, but adjudication of repair procedures will be identical to that for scars in these areas. 

b. Other Anatomical Areas 

• Normally not a benefit of MSP