Retrospective analysis of nail biopsies performed using the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database 2012 to 2017.

Overview

Subungual melanoma (SUM) is subset of acral melanoma that develops within the nail unit and is associated with a poor prognosis. Nail biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnosis SUM. Our objectives were to analyze the Medicare database for nail biopsy utilization and to compare the annual nail biopsy rate with the estimated incidence of SUM in the United States. A retrospective study on nail biopsy data was performed using the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database 2012 to 2017. The number of nail biopsies performed per 100 000 people was compared to SUM incidence per 100 000 people. Podiatrists, dermatologists, other physicians, and NP/PAs respectively performed 12.12, 0.42, 0.08, 0.07 nail biopsies per 100 000 people annually. Dermatologists performed adequate nail biopsies to cover the minimum (0.7%), but not the maximum (3.5%) estimated incidence of SUM. Only 0.28% and 1.01% of general dermatologists and Mohs surgeons, respectively, performed nail biopsies in 19/50 (38.00%) states and 69/929 (7.42%) zip codes. Limitations of our study were that nail biopsies on patients less than 65 years, and those with no or commercial health insurance were not analyzed. In sum, very few dermatologists performed nail biopsies in the Medicare database. Increased efforts are needed to educate dermatologists on nail surgery.