skin cancer is the most common cancer in America
Americans diagnosed with approximately 15,000 skin cancers daily
Americans treated for skin cancer each year
Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime
A proposed cut aimed at the front lines of skin cancer care
Dermatology absorbs $291 million — approximately 30% — of all national Modifier 25 cuts, despite accounting for only 4.1% of physician specialty spending and just 0.28% of total Medicare Part B expenditures.
Just 50 CPT codes comprise 98% of all procedural services performed by dermatologists for Medicare patients, and 91% of those services are related to skin cancer treatment, prevention, and detection. Under the proposal, 72% of dermatologists would face cuts greater than 15%.
Disproportionate impact
in estimated dermatology cuts under the proposed Modifier 25 policy.
of national Modifier 25 cuts
of physician specialty spending
of total Medicare Part B expenditures
For policy readers: the details+
The proposed Modifier 25 policy would reduce payment by 50% when a separately identifiable evaluation and management visit and a qualifying procedure are provided on the same day. The proposal would also phase out the Indirect Practice Cost Index used to account for practice overhead.
14 states where Medicare payment for skin cancer care would fall below Medicaid
Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Indiana, South Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, and Vermont
Proposed cuts would mean less access and longer waits
If not corrected, the cuts would block access to care as Medicare funding for skin cancer care falls below Medicaid rates in 14 states.
See what Americans think of the cuts →Skin cancer does not strike evenly
Seniors, rural Americans, and veterans face some of the greatest risks from skin cancer and the proposed cuts.
Has early detection saved someone you love? Share your story →
Early beats late. Every time, in every way.
For localized melanoma, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%. After the disease has spread to distant parts of the body, it is 35%.
Melanoma five-year survival
Caught early
Excision under local anesthetic at a dermatology office.
the cost when caught late
Caught late
Melanoma treatment with immunotherapy.
Three fixes, all within CMS’ power
Withdraw the same‑day cut
Withdraw the 50% payment cut for same-day procedures, so patients can keep getting a suspicious spot checked and biopsied in one visit.
Withdraw the IPCI phase-out
Maintain accurate overhead accounting for independent practices rather than relying on flawed formulas government researchers warned against.
Provide inflationary payment updates
Align Medicare physician payment updates with real-world inflation to stabilize independent small practices and safeguard senior access to care.
Who we are
Save Skin Cancer Care is a national campaign of dermatologists, clinicians, patients, and communities who believe the fight against America’s most common cancer should not be defunded just as we’re winning it. We bring the evidence, the economics, and the voices of the people early detection has saved.