DermTech Secures Billing Codes for its Proprietary Melanoma Test

The American Medical Association (AMA) has granted DermTech, Inc. Category 1, Tier 2 Molecular Pathology procedure codes related to its proprietary test for the detection of melanoma related gene expression. The company has secured this Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding for LINC and PRAME, the two primary genes included in the pigmented lesion assay, the company's non-invasive biopsy and gene expression test for skin cancer. These genes will be added to the approved list for CPT code 81401, as maintained by the AMA, and published July 1, 2017. The application was supported by multiple clinical studies demonstrating the clinical validity and utility of the test as well as support from key dermatology societies including the American Academy of Dermatology.
John Dobak, MD, Chief Executive Officer of DermTech, commented, “We are very pleased to have achieved this important milestone for the company. I am extremely proud of the entire DermTech team who worked tirelessly to create our gene expression platform technology and secure coding for the pigmented lesion assay. We thank the AMA, the American Academy of Dermatology, the College of American Pathologists, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, and others that unanimously supported our application. Our goal continues to be providing world class non-invasive molecular pathology directly to the dermatologist to improve patient care”.