What are the costs for light therapy

If a light therapy is justified, the costs for the person concerned are normally covered by the cash register. How much then a practice or a hospital earns at a light therapy, depends on the respective health insurance company. If the light therapy is not covered by the insurance company due to a too small severity of the illness, the price must be inquired with the practices and hospitals.

UV light devices for private use cost over 200, – €. Generally the costs for a patient with exclusively local therapy (creams) and light therapy amount to over 1000,-€ annually. If the indication – i.e. a therapy is justified – for a light therapy is given, the costs can be covered by the health insurance.

However, this is not always the case, especially if the psoriasis is not strong enough. The strength of psoriasis is determined by the so-called PASI-Score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). A PASI-Score above 10 is a medium to severe psoriasis, whereby the costs are usually covered by the health insurance. If there is an indication for the so-called balneophototherapy (PUVA therapy, where psoralen is administered as a bath), health insurance companies have had to cover the costs since 2008. However, the extent to which the costs will be covered and the requirements for the therapy should be clarified individually with the health insurance company before the therapy.

Application on the scalp

Psoriasis on the scalp is also called psoriasis capitis. Light therapy can also be used if the scalp is affected. The light therapy is carried out exactly the same as for the rest of the skin, by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

Practices and hospitals that offer light therapy usually also have equipment that allows partial irradiation. Light therapy on the scalp can also be carried out with smaller, handy devices. This is a light comb, also called UV or psoriasis comb.

The attachment of the device resembles a comb and is therefore very well suited for the scalp.The comb-like attachment is used on the one hand to part the hair so that the UV light also reaches the scalp and on the other hand as a spacer to prevent the skin from burning. A light comb can also be purchased over the counter. However, it should only be used after consultation with a dermatologist who is familiar with light therapy, as the treatment entails an increased risk of skin cancer.