STRATA Skin Sciences Moves to Accelerate Medicare and Private Payer Coverage from Expanded CPT Code Expansion, Tripling Addressable Market to 30M+ Patients
STRATA Skin Sciences (NASDAQ: SSKN) is actively working with CMS to accelerate access to expanded reimbursement for its XTRAC® excimer laser treatment ahead of the planned January 1, 2027 implementation. The American Medical Association's CPT Editorial Panel has approved updates to expand reimbursement eligibility to include all inflammatory and autoimmune skin conditions, potentially making treatments accessible by 2026.
This expansion could triple the addressable market to over 30 million patients. Two recent peer-reviewed studies validate the efficacy of combining 308-nm excimer-laser therapy with JAK inhibitors for vitiligo treatment, showing a 100% overall response rate and 96% pigment stability. Additionally, the company provided updates on its ongoing litigation against LaserOptek regarding false advertising claims.
STRATA Skin Sciences (NASDAQ: SSKN) sta collaborando attivamente con CMS per accelerare l'accesso a un rimborso ampliato per il suo trattamento laser excimer XTRAC®, anticipando l'implementazione prevista per il 1° gennaio 2027. Il CPT Editorial Panel dell'American Medical Association ha approvato aggiornamenti per estendere l'idoneità al rimborso a tutte le condizioni infiammatorie e autoimmuni della pelle, rendendo potenzialmente i trattamenti accessibili già dal 2026.
Questa espansione potrebbe triplicare il mercato indirizzabile superando i 30 milioni di pazienti. Due studi recenti, sottoposti a revisione paritaria, confermano l'efficacia della combinazione della terapia laser excimer a 308 nm con inibitori JAK per il trattamento della vitiligine, evidenziando un tasso di risposta complessivo del 100% e una stabilità del pigmento del 96%. Inoltre, la società ha fornito aggiornamenti sul contenzioso in corso contro LaserOptek riguardo accuse di pubblicità ingannevole.
STRATA Skin Sciences (NASDAQ: SSKN) está trabajando activamente con CMS para acelerar el acceso a un reembolso ampliado para su tratamiento con láser excímer XTRAC®, antes de la implementación prevista para el 1 de enero de 2027. El Panel Editorial CPT de la American Medical Association ha aprobado actualizaciones para ampliar la elegibilidad de reembolso a todas las afecciones inflamatorias y autoinmunes de la piel, lo que podría hacer que los tratamientos estén disponibles para 2026.
Esta expansión podría triplicar el mercado objetivo a más de 30 millones de pacientes. Dos estudios recientes revisados por pares validan la eficacia de combinar la terapia con láser excímer de 308 nm con inhibidores JAK para el tratamiento del vitiligo, mostrando una tasa de respuesta global del 100% y una estabilidad del pigmento del 96%. Además, la compañía proporcionó actualizaciones sobre su litigio en curso contra LaserOptek por reclamaciones de publicidad falsa.
STRATA Skin Sciences (NASDAQ: SSKN)� CMS와 적극 협력하여 2027� 1� 1� 예정� 시행 이전� XTRAC® 엑시� 레이저 치료� 대� 확대� 보험 급여 접근� 가속화하고 있습니다. 미국의학협회(AMA) CPT 편집 위원회는 모든 염증� � 자가면역 피부 질환� 포함하도� 급여 자격� 확대하는 업데이트� 승인했으�, 이를 통해 2026년까지 치료 접근� 가능해� 전망입니�.
이번 확대� 대� 시장� 3천만 � 이상� 환자� 3� 증가� � 있습니다. 최근 � 건의 동료 검� 연구� 308nm 엑시� 레이저 치료와 JAK 억제제를 결합� 백반� 치료� 효능� 입증했으�, 전체 반응� 100%와 색소 안정� 96%� 보여주고 있습니다. 또한 회사� LaserOptek� 상대� � 허위 광고 주장 관� 진행 중인 소송� 대� 업데이트� 제공했습니다.
STRATA Skin Sciences (NASDAQ : SSKN) collabore activement avec le CMS pour accélérer l'accès à un remboursement élargi de son traitement au laser excimère XTRAC®, avant la mise en œuvre prévue au 1er janvier 2027. Le comité éditorial CPT de l'American Medical Association a approuvé des mises à jour pour étendre l'éligibilité au remboursement à toutes les affections inflammatoires et auto-immunes de la peau, ce qui pourrait rendre les traitements accessibles dès 2026.
Cette expansion pourrait tripler le marché adressable à plus de 30 millions de patients. Deux études récentes évaluées par des pairs valident l'efficacité de la combinaison de la thérapie au laser excimère 308 nm avec des inhibiteurs JAK pour le traitement du vitiligo, montrant un taux de réponse global de 100 % et une stabilité du pigment de 96 %. De plus, la société a fourni des mises à jour sur son litige en cours contre LaserOptek concernant des allégations de publicité mensongère.
STRATA Skin Sciences (NASDAQ: SSKN) arbeitet aktiv mit CMS zusammen, um den Zugang zu erweiterten Erstattungen für seine XTRAC® Excimer-Laserbehandlung vor dem geplanten Inkrafttreten am 1. Januar 2027 zu beschleunigen. Das CPT-Redaktionsteam der American Medical Association hat Aktualisierungen genehmigt, die die Erstattungsberechtigung auf alle entzündlichen und Autoimmun-Hauterkrankungen ausweiten, wodurch die Behandlungen möglicherweise bereits 2026 zugänglich werden.
Diese Erweiterung könnte den adressierbaren Markt auf über 30 Millionen Patienten verdreifachen. Zwei kürzlich peer-reviewte Studien bestätigen die Wirksamkeit der Kombination von 308-nm-Excimer-Lasertherapie mit JAK-Inhibitoren zur Behandlung von Vitiligo und zeigen eine Gesamtansprechrate von 100 % und eine Pigmentstabilität von 96 %. Darüber hinaus gab das Unternehmen Updates zu laufenden Rechtsstreitigkeiten gegen LaserOptek wegen irreführender Werbeaussagen bekannt.
- Potential tripling of addressable market to 30+ million patients through expanded CPT code coverage
- Clinical studies show 100% response rate and 96% pigment stability in combination therapy
- Possibility of accelerated reimbursement access by 2026 instead of 2027
- Strong intellectual property portfolio covering combination treatments with JAK inhibitors
- Favorable court ruling in ongoing litigation against LaserOptek
- Extended timeline for full CPT code implementation (January 1, 2027)
- Ongoing legal proceedings could incur additional costs and resources
Insights
STRATA's expanded CPT codes will triple its addressable market to 30M+ patients, with potential accelerated implementation before 2027.
STRATA Skin Sciences is making strategic moves to capitalize on a significant regulatory win. The AMA's CPT Editorial Panel has approved updates to codes 96920-96922, expanding reimbursement eligibility for XTRAC Excimer Laser treatments beyond psoriasis to include all inflammatory and autoimmune skin conditions like vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata, effective January 2027.
This expansion will triple STRATA's addressable market to over 30 million patients, representing a transformative growth opportunity. More importantly, the company is now working with CMS to secure temporary codes that could accelerate this implementation to the 2026 rule cycle, potentially advancing their market expansion timeline by a full year.
The strategic implications are substantial. By expanding covered indications, STRATA will not only increase its total addressable market but also improve the economic model for providers. Dermatologists would be financially incentivized to use XTRAC therapy (for which they receive direct reimbursement) rather than prescribing medications (which don't generate provider revenue). This creates a powerful economic alignment that could drive adoption rates across the expanded indication set.
Recent peer-reviewed research further strengthens STRATA's market position. Two studies highlight XTRAC's efficacy when combined with JAK inhibitors for vitiligo treatment, demonstrating 100% overall response rates and 96% pigment stability in one multicenter trial. This positions XTRAC as complementary to, rather than competitive with, emerging drug therapies.
The company also provided updates on litigation against LaserOptek regarding alleged false advertising, with favorable court decisions that could potentially result in significant damages awarded to STRATA. This legal action appears aimed at protecting STRATA's market position against competitors making potentially misleading claims about reimbursement eligibility.
With an IP portfolio covering combination therapies involving JAK inhibitors and Excimer laser treatments, STRATA is strategically positioned to benefit from emerging treatment protocols in dermatology.
Peer-reviewed publications continue to validate Excimer Laser efficacy in vitiligo and treatment
STRATA updates status of non-Excimer laser false advertising litigation
HORSHAM, Pa., Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc. (“STRATA� or the “Company�) (NASDAQ: SSKN), a medical technology company dedicated to developing, commercializing, and marketing innovative products for the treatment of dermatologic conditions, today announced it is working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to obtain temporary codes that would accelerate access to recently expanded reimbursement for its XTRAC® excimer laser treatment.
As , the American Medical Association’s CPT Editorial Panel, in a landmark decision, approved updates to codes 96920�96922, expanding reimbursement eligibility for XTRAC Excimer Laser treatments to include all inflammatory and autoimmune skin conditions—such as vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata—in addition to psoriasis, effective January 1, 2027. By securing temporary CMS codes, STRATA aims to make these expanded indications reimbursable as early as the 2026 rule cycle, effectively tripling the addressable patient population while improving treatment economics for both providers and the Company.
“Expanding access to XTRAC® is about more than increasing device utilization and revenue per device—it’s about helping millions of patients who are living with chronic, inflammatory skin conditions, with limited long term safe, efficacious and accessible treatment modalities,� said Dr. Dolev Rafaeli, STRATA Skin Sciences President and CEO. “By working with CMS to secure temporary reimbursement ahead of 2027, we aim to bring this safe, effective, non-drug therapy to a broader patient population—more than 30 million people—sooner, while creating more substantial economic incentives for providers to deliver this care, for which they are paid vs. prescribing expensive, less effective medication for which they are not.
“Our confidence in this mission is reinforced by the huge support we have secured from members of the legislature, patient advocacy groups, and leading academic key opinion leaders. We are further encouraged by the growing body of peer-reviewed published clinical studies supporting Excimer Laser therapy, and pointing to new and enhanced applications, adding to the hundreds of other studies published over the years. In fact, two new studies published last month confirmed that combining 308-nm excimer-laser therapy with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors—an emerging class of immune-modulating drugs—is both safe and effective for vitiligo. These findings further strengthen XTRAC’s standing as a leading drug-free option and highlight its role to enhance patient outcomes in the era of next-generation therapies,� concluded Dr. Rafaeli.
Recent Peer Reviewed Publications Supporting Excimer Laser Therapy in Vitiligo
One study, published in , focused on a multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of 308nm excimer laser therapy in combination with oral JAK inhibitors (baricitinib), a novel class of immune-modulating drugs. A total of 240 adult patients were enrolled and monitored over a 52-week period. The study demonstrated superior re-pigmentation in combination therapy, with patients receiving 308 nm excimer laser combined with baricitinib reporting a
The second study, published in , highlights a case report for conjunctive use of excimer laser with JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib). In the report, a 22-year-old woman developed segmental vitiligo one week after her third Gardasil-9 HPV dose. Following a combined regimen of tofacitinib, 308 nm excimer laser, fractional laser, and topical tacrolimus, the patient achieved approximately 70 % re-pigmentation over 13 months.
Update on Ongoing Litigation
In an update to its previous announcements on the lawsuit STRATA has been prosecuting against LaserOptek America , Dr. Rafaeli stated that, “STRATA is pleased to report that the Federal District Court has agreed with Strata’s position that LaserOptek Co. Ltd, (‘LaserOptek Korea�) the South Korean parent of LaserOptek America, should be added as a defendant in the lawsuit. It is encouraging that the court recognized what we believe to be the duplicitous actions of the defendants in attempting to hide and shield the Korean entity from the lawsuit. We are further gratified by the significant potential damages that may be awarded to STRATA. The addition of LaserOptek Korea and C. Dalton, LLC, the entity that represented LaserOptek Korea’s interests in the U.S., clearly demonstrates that those parties should be held accountable for the knowingly false misrepresentations made as outlined in our unfair trade practices claim under the Lanham Act.�
STRATA filed the original lawsuit in August 2024 in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging that the defendants had made false and misleading statements regarding marketing of the Pallas lasers and reimbursement of psoriasis treatment procedures performed with Pallas lasers. In that complaint, STRATA alleged false advertising and unfair competition under the Lanham Act and related state laws with regard to the marketing and sale of the Pallas lasers in the U.S., potentially exposing the Pallas physician offices and the staff to action by CMS for submitting reimbursement claims for non-reimbursable procedures.
With its intellectual property portfolio that includes issued patents covering the methods for localized treatment of any skin condition by administering a therapeutically effective amount of JAK inhibiters, systemic or biologic drugs to the patient, and a dosimeter guided Excimer Laser dose to an area of the patient's skin, STRATA is well prepared to have a unique offering into these new treatment frontiers.
About STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.
STRATA Skin Sciences is a medical technology company dedicated to developing, commercializing, and marketing innovative products for the in-office treatment of various dermatologic conditions, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and acne. Its products include the XTRAC® excimer laser, VTRAC® lamp systems, and the TheraClear®X Acne Therapy System.
STRATA is proud to offer these exciting technologies in the U.S. through its unique Partnership Program. STRATA’s popular partnership approach includes a fee per treatment cost structure versus an equipment purchase, installation and use of the device, on-site training for practice personnel, service and maintenance of the equipment, dedicated account and customer service associates, and co-op advertising support to help raise awareness and promote the program within the practice.
Safe Harbor
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include but are not limited to the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and may contain words such as “will,� “may,� “seeks,� and “expects,� that suggest future events or trends. These statements, the Company’s ability to launch and sell products recently acquired or to be developed in the future, the Company’s ability to develop social media marketing campaigns, direct to consumer marketing campaigns, and the Company’s ability to build a leading franchise in dermatology and aesthetics, are based on the Company’s current expectations and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the Company’s expectations due to financial, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory, adverse market conditions labor supply shortages, or supply chain interruptions resulting from fiscal, political factors, tariffs, international conflicts, responses, or conditions affecting the Company, the medical device industry and our customers and patients in general, as well as more specific risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company’s SEC reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. Given such uncertainties, any or all these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect or unreliable. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release. The Company urges investors to carefully review its SEC disclosures available at Ի.
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