Light Therapy for Psoriasis

Psoralen plus ultraviolet A for the treatment of severe, disabling psoriasis, which is not responsive to other forms of conservative therapy (eg, topical corticosteroids, coal/tar preparations, ultraviolet light) may be considered medically necessary.Targeted phototherapy may be considered medically necessary for the treatment of moderate-to-severe localized psoriasis (ie, comprising <20% body area) for which narrowband ultraviolet B or psoralen plus ultraviolet A are indicated. Targeted phototherapy may be considered medically necessary for the treatment of mild-to-moderate localized psoriasis that is unresponsive to conservative treatment. Targeted phototherapy is considered investigational for the first-line treatment of mild psoriasis. Targeted phototherapy is considered investigational for the treatment of generalized psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.