Fair Square Medicare Wordmark

Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?

Acute psoriasis on elbows is an autoimmune incurable dermatological skin disease stock photo

By Daniel Petkevich

Jan 17, 2023

There are some stipulations to getting coverage

If you have psoriasis, you know it's difficult to find the right treatment that works to manage your flare-ups. For those with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, finding the right treatment that works for your skin and your budget can mean the difference between carrying on with your life and debilitating pain. Light therapy is one of the many treatment options that can be covered by Medicare. Read on to see if it's the right option for you.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Overview of psoriasis and its symptoms

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches and thick, silvery scales on the skin. Symptoms vary from person to person but can include itching, burning or soreness. Psoriasis can also cause psoriatic arthritis—a type of joint pain and swelling.

What Medicare covers for psoriasis treatment

Medicare covers psoriasis treatment in some instances. If light therapy is considered medically necessary for psoriasis, Medicare may help cover the cost of your psoriasis treatment. In addition to light therapy, Medicare also covers other psoriasis treatments, such as topical medications, photochemotherapy and biologics.

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, be sure to talk to your doctor about psoriasis treatments that Medicare might cover. Your doctor can help you understand which psoriasis treatments may be best for you. With the right psoriasis treatment plan, you may see an improvement in your psoriasis symptoms.

Types of psoriasis treatments that are typically covered by Medicare

Light therapy (phototherapy) is a psoriasis treatment that exposes your skin to ultraviolet light in small doses. Phototherapy helps treat psoriasis by slowing the growth of affected skin cells, reducing redness and scaling, and improving psoriasis symptoms. Medicare may cover psoralen derivative drug in combination with ultraviolet A light, also known as PUVA, under the following conditions according to the

CMS

:

"PUVA therapy is covered for treatment of intractable, disabling psoriasis, but only after the psoriasis has not responded to more conventional treatment. The Medicare Administrative Contractor should document this before paying for PUVA therapy."

In addition to light therapy, Medicare may cover other psoriasis treatments. Topical medications, such as creams and ointments applied directly to the skin, can help reduce psoriasis symptoms and slow down the growth of psoriatic cells. Photochemotherapy (PUVA) combines an oral psoralen derivative drug with ultraviolet A light to help treat psoriasis. Medicare may also cover biologics, which are injected medications that target specific areas of the immune system to reduce psoriasis flare-ups.

How to determine if light therapy is medically necessary for psoriasis treatment

Your doctor will work with you to determine if light therapy is medically necessary for psoriasis treatment. They may consider the following criteria:

  • The psoriasis has not responded to other treatments

  • You’re receiving regular psoriasis care from a physician

  • You have psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis in areas that are hard to reach

  • You’re experiencing a psoriasis flare up or worsening of psoriasis symptoms

  • The psoriasis has caused physical, mental and emotional distress

If you meet one or more of these criteria, your doctor may determine that light therapy is medically necessary for psoriasis treatment.

Tips on how to document improvement when seeking coverage from Medicare

To determine if Medicare covers psoriasis treatment, your doctor will need to document any improvements in your psoriasis symptoms. Here are a few tips on how to document improvement when seeking coverage from Medicare:

  • Take pictures before and after receiving treatment

  • Keep track of symptoms in a diary

  • Report flare-ups or worsening of symptoms to your doctor

  • Track side effects from treatments and report them to your doctor

  • Provide feedback on treatments, including how effective they have been in managing your symptoms

By documenting your symptoms and improvements, your doctor can help determine if your treatment is medically necessary. Medicare may then cover the cost of psoriasis light therapy deemed medically necessary.

Other psoriasis treatments that Medicare might cover

In addition to light therapy, Medicare may cover other psoriasis treatments. These treatments include topical medications, photochemotherapy and biologics. Topical medications are creams and ointments that are applied directly to your psoriasis patches, such as

Ilumya

. Photochemotherapy (PUVA) combines an oral psoralen derivative drug with ultraviolet A light to help treat psoriasis. Biologics are injected medications that target specific areas of the immune system to reduce flare-ups.

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, be sure to talk to your doctor about psoriasis treatments that might be covered by Medicare.

Conclusion

If you have psoriasis and are a Medicare beneficiary, be sure to talk to your doctor about psoriasis treatments that might be covered by Medicare. With the right psoriasis treatment plan, you may see an improvement in your symptoms. Your doctor can help you understand which psoriasis treatments may be best for you and how to document any improvements when seeking coverage from Medicare. Remember, talking with your doctor is necessary, as this content is for informational purposes only. Our team of experts is here to help with all your Medicare questions. Don't hesitate to reach out to

Fair Square Medicare

.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Recommended Articles

Fair Square

Building the Future of Senior Healthcare

Aug 25, 2022

Cover image

2024 Cost of Living Adjustment

Nov 13, 2023

Cover image

Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025

Jan 18, 2024

Medigap stock image

What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?

Apr 14, 2023

wart on the sole of a white man's foot stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?

Jan 17, 2023

Cover image

Can I Change My Primary Care Provider with an Advantage Plan?

Aug 25, 2023

Plastic surgeon handles a silicon implant

Does Medicare Cover Breast Implant Removal?

Jan 5, 2023

woman sitting up in bed experiencing back pain stock photo

Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Nov 19, 2022

Cover image

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare

Jan 24, 2024

Cover image

Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?

Sep 13, 2023

Medicare at 62 stock image

Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

Jun 16, 2022

The feet of a man suffering from foot pain stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Krystexxa?

Nov 18, 2022

Diagnosis overactive bladder stock image

Does Medicare Cover PTNS?

Dec 9, 2022

Heart on Heart Rhythm Background Concept stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Cardiac Ablation?

Dec 9, 2022

Visiting a hospital front desk illustrated stock image

Do All Hospitals Accept Medicare Advantage Plans?

Apr 11, 2023

Cover image

The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023

Oct 2, 2023

Close up of a senior clutching their right wrist in pain stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?

Nov 23, 2022

Nasal spray stock image

Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?

Jan 12, 2023

More of our articles

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Phoenix

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.

15 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Denver

20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent

2025 Medicare Price Changes

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?

Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans

Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?

Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?

Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square

Do You Need Books on Medicare?

Does Medicare Cover an FMT?

Does Medicare Cover Cartiva Implants?

Does Medicare Cover Cold Laser Therapy (CLT)?

Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?

Does Medicare Cover Disposable Underwear?

Does Medicare Cover Home Heart Monitors?

Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?

Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Supplies?

Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Kyphoplasty?

Does Medicare Cover Lipoma Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?

Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?

Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?

Does Medicare Cover Robotic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?

Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?

Does Medicare Cover TENS Units?

Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?

Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?

Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?

Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?

Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?

Does Medicare Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment?

Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?

Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?

Does Your Plan Include A Free Gym Membership?

Estimating Prescription Drug Costs

Explaining IRMAA on Medicare

Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

How Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affect Your Medicare?

How Much Does a Medicare Coach Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost in 2025?

How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?

How Often Can I Change Medicare Plans?

How to Become a Medicare Agent

How to Enroll in Social Security

Is Gainswave Covered by Medicare?

Is PAE Covered by Medicare?

Last Day to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan

Medicare & Ozempic

Medicare Explained

Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

Plan G vs. Plan N

Saving Money with Alternative Pharmacies & Discount Programs

What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?

What If I Don't Like My Plan?

What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare

What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage

What's the Deal with Flex Cards?

When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?

When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement

Will Medicare Cover Dental Implants?

Will Medicare Cover it?

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.

Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

Terms of Use
Notice of Privacy Practices

Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M

Fair Square Medicare

FSM symbol - 50