• Matthew R Donaldson and Brett M Coldiron.
• Mountain West Dermatology, Grand Junction, CO, USA. mrdonaldson@medscape.com
• Dermatol Surg. 2012 Sep 1; 38 (9): 1427-34.

BackgroundMohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the criterion standard treatment for high-risk skin cancers. Few data on current MMS Utilization are available.ObjectiveTo better understand current trends in MMS use in the Medicare population.Methods And MaterialsThe 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.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionsThe 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.© 2012 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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