I am excited to announce a pivotal moment in our ongoing mission to improve care for patients with scarring alopecia!

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved the ICD-10-CM codes for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA), which will go into effect in October 2024. The codes, L66.81 and L66.12, are the first of its kind and the result of tireless advocacy from patients, dedicated healthcare providers, and strong support from professional dermatologic societies and organizations.

 

This accomplishment is of great importance to the scarring alopecia community. The introduction of these ICD-10-CM codes will enable more precise diagnoses and improve access to treatments, while also allowing for enhanced tracking and research within the medical community. These steps will lead to better care and outcomes for patients, providing long-overdue recognition to these conditions.

 

On behalf of all the patients we serve, I extend our heartfelt thanks to SAF’s Medical Student Executive Committee, whose incredible leadership and dedication made this momentous achievement possible. Over the past two years, this group organized and led the effort to secure the ICD-10-CM codes for CCCA and FFA. A special shoutout to Itisha S. Jefferson, BS, Morinola T. Shobajo, MS, MD, Jessica B. Brown-Korsah, MD, and James Pathoulas, MD. Your hard work has made a lasting impact on the lives of patients with scarring alopecias, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions!

 

I would also like to specifically acknowledge the following dermatologists and organizations for their invaluable contributions toward this effort:

 

Dermatologists

Maria Hordinsky, MD, FAAD

Amy McMichael, MD, FAAD

Prince Adotama, MD, FAAD

Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD

Sacharitha Bowers, MD, FAAD

Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD

George Cotsarelis, MD, FAAD

Ncoza Dlova, MBChB, PhD

Jeff Donovan, MD, FAAD

Ronda Farah, MD, FAAD

Carolyn Goh, MD, FAAD

Lynne J. Goldberg, MD, FAAD

Daniel Gutierrez, MD, FAAD

Chesahna Kindred, MD, MBA, FAAD

Loren Krueger, MD, FAAD

Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPH, FAAD

Song Park, MD, FAAD

Maryanne Senna, MD, FAAD

Jerry Shapiro, MD, FAAD

Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, FAAD

Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD

Rebecca Tung, MD, FAAD

Ken Washenik, MD, PhD, FAAD

 

Organizations

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

Alopecia Justice League (AJL)

American Hair Research Society (AHRS)

Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA)

Coalition of Skin Diseases (CSD)

Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA)

Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA)

International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)

Medical Dermatology Society (MDS)

Minnesota Dermatology Society

National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF)

National Medical Association Dermatology Section (NMA)

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Skin of Color Society (SOCS)

Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (SDNP)

Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA)

 

The passion and dedication of everyone involved has been crucial to this achievement. Your contributions have advanced care for scarring alopecia patients and will positively impact their lives for years to come. We are truly grateful for your commitment.

 

SAF looks forward to continued collaboration as we work to integrate these ICD-10-CM codes into clinical practice. Together, we will raise awareness and provide education to improve patient care.

 

Jean R. Pickford

Executive Director

 

 

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