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