PhotoMedex (Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania) said that Blue Shield of California has adopted a medical policy approving payment for medically necessary treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis using the PhotoMedex Xtrac laser system.

Blue Cross of California’s policy states that Xtrac laser therapy for the treatment of localized plaque psoriasis is considered medically necessary when certain criteria are met: psoriasis is limited to less than or equal to 20% of the patient's body surface; and the patient has failed a previous two-month trial of conservative therapies including topical, oral and injectable medications.

PhotoMedex provides contract medical procedures to hospitals, surgi-centers and doctors' offices.