Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Rosacea

Policy Number: MA 2.071

Effective Date 9/1/2025

Policy

Nonpharmacologic treatment of rosacea, including but not limited to, laser and light therapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, surgical debulking, and electrosurgery is considered investigational. There is insufficient evidence to support a general conclusion concerning the health outcomes or benefits associated with this procedure.

Cross-references:

• MP 1.004 Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
• MP 2.046 Light Therapies

Product variations

This policy is only applicable to certain programs and products administered by Capital Blue Cross and subject to benefit variations as discussed in Section VI. Please see additional information below.

FEP PPO - Refer to FEP Medical Policy Manual. The FEP Medical Policy manual can be found at: https://www.fepblue.org/benefit-plans/medical-policies-and-utilization-management-guidelines/medical-policies

Description/background

Rosacea is characterized by episodic erythema, edema, papules, and pustules that occur primarily on the face but may also be present on the scalp, ears, neck, chest, and back. On occasion, rosacea may affect the eyes. Patients with rosacea have a tendency to flush or blush easily. Since rosacea causes facial swelling and redness, it is easily confused with other skin conditions, such as acne, skin allergy, and sunburn.

Rosacea affects mostly adults with fair skin between the ages of 20 and 60 and is more common in women, but often most severe in men. Rosacea is not life-threatening, but if not treated, may lead to persistent erythema, telangiectasias, and rhinophyma (hyperplasia and nodular swelling and congestion of the skin of the nose). The etiology and pathogenesis of rosacea is unknown but may be a result of both genetic and environmental factors. Some of the theories as to the causes of rosacea include blood vessel disorders, chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, demodex folliculorum (mites), and immune system disorders.

While the clinical manifestations of rosacea do not usually impact the physical health status of the patient, there may be psychological consequences from the most visually apparent symptoms (i.e., erythema, papules, pustules, telangiectasias) that can impact quality of life. Rhinophyma, an end-stage of chronic acne, has been associated with obstruction of nasal passages and basal cell carcinoma in rare, severe cases. The probability of developing nasal obstruction, or basal or squamous cell carcinoma with rosacea is not sufficiently great to warrant preventive removal of rhinophymatous tissue.

Treatment

Rosacea treatment can be effective to relieve its signs and symptoms. Treatment may include oral and topical antibiotics, isotretinoin, beta-blockers, clonidine, and anti-inflammatories. Patients are also instructed on various self-care measures such as avoiding skin irritants and dietary items thought to exacerbate acute flare-ups.

Nonpharmacologic therapy has also been tried in patients who cannot tolerate or do not want to use pharmacologic treatments. To reduce visible blood vessels, treat rhinophyma, reduce redness, and improve appearance, various techniques have been used such as laser and light therapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, surgical debulking, and electrosurgery. Various lasers used include low-powered electrical devices and vascular light lasers to remove telangiectasias, CO₂ lasers to remove unwanted tissue from rhinophyma and reshape the nose, and intense pulsed lights that generate multiple wavelengths to treat a broader spectrum of tissue.

Regulatory status

Several laser and light therapy systems have been cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the 510(k) process for various dermatologic indications, including rosacea. For example, rosacea is among the indications for:

• Vbeam laser system (Candela^®)
• Stellar M22™ laser system (Lumenis)
• Excel VT^®, excel V^®, and exo^® laser systems (Cutera)
• Harmony^® XL multi-application platform laser device (Alma Lasers, Israel)
• UV-300 Pulsed Light Therapy System (New Star Lasers)
• CoolTouch^® PRIMA Pulsed Light Therapy System (New Star Lasers)

FDA product code: GEX.

Rationale

Summary of evidence

For individuals who have rosacea who receive nonpharmacologic treatment (e.g., laser therapy, light therapy, dermabrasion), the evidence includes systematic reviews and several small, randomized, split-face design trials. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, and treatment-related morbidity. The systematic reviews reported favorable effects on erythema and telangiectasia with several laser types, including intense pulsed light (IPL), pulsed dye lasers, and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. However, the systematic reviews did not pool results from individual studies and the studies differed in the specific lasers being compared. Overall, the systematic review results were insufficient to establish whether any laser type is more effective and safe than others. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated laser and light therapy. One RCT compared combination laser and pharmacologic therapy with pharmacologic therapy alone and 2 RCTs compared combination laser and pharmacologic therapy with laser therapy alone, but the lack of an arm evaluating laser therapy alone against established pharmacologic therapy does not allow a direct assessment on the efficacy of laser or light treatment compared with alternative treatments. No trials assessing other nonpharmacologic treatments were identified. There is a need for RCTs that compare nonpharmacologic treatments with placebo controls and with pharmacologic treatments. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.

Definitions

• Conjunctivitis: refers to inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the eyelids.
• Cosmetic surgery: refers to an elective procedure performed primarily to restore a person’s appearance by surgically altering a physical characteristic that does not prohibit normal function but is considered unpleasant or unsightly.
• Functional impairment: refers to a condition that describes a state where an individual is physically limited to perform basic daily activities.
• Hyperplasia: refers to excessive proliferation of normal cells in the normal tissue arrangement of an organ.
• Telangiectasia: refers to a vascular lesion formed by dilation of a group of small blood vessels.

Disclaimer

Capital Blue Cross’ medical policies are used to determine coverage for specific medical technologies, procedures, equipment, and services. These medical policies do not constitute medical advice and are subject to change as required by law or applicable clinical evidence from independent treatment guidelines. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. These policies are not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Payment of claims is subject to a determination regarding the member’s benefit program and eligibility on the date of service, and a determination that the services are medically necessary and appropriate. Final processing of a claim is based upon the terms of contract that applies to the members’ benefit program, including benefit limitations and exclusions. If a provider or a member has a question concerning this medical policy, please contact Capital Blue Cross’ Provider Services or Member Services.

Coding information

Note: this list of codes may not be all-inclusive, and codes are subject to change at any time. The identification of a code in this section does not denote coverage as coverage is determined by the terms of member benefit information. In addition, not all covered services are eligible for separate reimbursement. The codes need to be in numerical order.

Investigational:

References

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2. Husein-ElAhmed H, Steinhoff M. Light-based therapies in the management of rosacea: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. Feb 2022; 61(2): 216-225. PMID 34089264
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21. Salem SA, Abdel Fattah NS, Tantawy SM, et al. Neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser versus pulsed dye laser in erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea: comparison of clinical efficacy and effect on cutaneous substance (P) expression. J Cosmet Dermatol. Sep 2013; 12(3): 187-94. PMID 23992160
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29. Tirico MCCP, Jensen D, Green C, et al. Short pulse intense pulsed light versus pulsed dye laser for the treatment of facial redness. J Cosmet Laser Ther. Feb 17 2020; 22(2): 60-64. PMID 32041440
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31. Park S, Lee JH, Kang E, et al. A randomized split-face comparative study of long-pulsed alexandrite plus low-fluence Nd:YAG laser versus pulsed-dye laser in the treatment of rosacea. Lasers Surg Med. Nov 2022; 54(9): 1217-1225. PMID 36183378
32. Yang J, Liu X, Cao Y, et al. 5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy versus minocycline for moderate-to-severe rosacea: A single-center, randomized, evaluator-blind controlled study. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 2023; 89(4): 711-718. PMID 37356626
33. Sodha P, Suggs A, Munavalli GS, et al. A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study: Combined 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment and Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Topical Cream Superior to Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Cream for Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea. Lasers Surg Med. Dec 2021; 53(10): 1307-1315. PMID 34233378
34. Osman M, Shokeir HA, Hassan AM, et al. Pulsed dye laser alone versus its combination with topical ivermectin 1% in treatment of Rosacea: a randomized comparative study. J Dermatolog Treat. Feb 2022; 33(1): 184-190. PMID 32141785
35. Tong Y, Luo W, Gao Y, et al. A randomized, controlled, split-face study of botulinum toxin and broadband light for the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Dermatol Ther. May 2022; 35(5): e15395. PMID 35187781
36. Barbarino SC, Bucay VW, Cohen JL, et al. Integrative skincare trial of intense pulsed light followed by the phyto-corrective mask, phyto-corrective gel, and resveratrol BE for decreasing post-procedure downtime and improving procedure outcomes in patients with rosacea. J Cosmet Dermatol. Sep 2022; 21(9): 3759-3767. PMID 35765796
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38. Del Rosso JQ, Tanghetti E, Webster G, et al. Update on the Management of Rosacea from the American Acne Rosacea Society (AARS). J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Jun 2019; 12(6): 17-24. PMID 31360284
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42. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Medical Policy Reference Manual. 2.01.71, Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Rosacea. January March 2025

Policy History

• MA 2.071 - 08/13/2025 Policy Created. 100% Commercial Adoption of the Policy

Health care benefit programs issued or administered by Capital Blue Cross and/or its subsidiaries, Capital Advantage Insurance Company^®, Capital Advantage Assurance Company^® and Keystone Health Plan^® Central. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross BlueShield Association. Communications issued by Capital Blue Cross in its capacity as administrator of programs and provider relations for all companies.