A Post-COVID Population-Based Analysis of Mohs Micrographic Surgeon Distribution in the United States.

Background: Policy changes to Mohs micrographic surgery board certification eligibility and population shifts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have significant implications for the accessibility of Mohs micrographic surgeons across the United States.
Objective: To examine the geographic distribution of micrographic surgery providers considering recent population trends and assess the impact of certification eligibility changes and population shifts on accessibility.
Methods and Materials: Medicare claims data were utilized to identify micrographic surgery providers. Surgeon densities were calculated per 100,000 people by county and state. Population changes were analyzed using US census data.
Results: Practicing micrographic surgeons were concentrated in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Overall, 80.4% of counties lacked micrographic surgery providers, with rural areas being the most underserved. Population changes varied among states.
Conclusion: Shifts in micrographic surgery certification requirements, US population distribution, and micrographic surgeon location emphasize challenges in accessibility, especially in rural areas across the United States.
(Copyright © 2024 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)