CPT Codes to Report Cataract Surgery

2. CPT Codes to Report Cataract Surgery Cataract surgery is a common surgical procedure performed to remove the cloudy lens or cataract from the eye and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens. A leading cause of vision loss in the United States, cataract causes clouding of the eye lens due to the clumping of proteins. A cataract blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. Billing and coding for ophthalmology procedures can be a daunting task as it involves understanding the different codes and modifiers, and more. Ophthalmology practices can rely on the services of a professional ophthalmology medical billing company to optimize their billing and coding practices, submit accurate claims, ensure proper reimbursement, and provide the best possible care to their patients. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States and globally. About half of all people who live into their 90s may need cataract surgery. It is estimated that about 97 percent people who undergo the procedure experience an improvement in the sharpness of their vision. Types of Cataract Surgery Cataract surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and takes less than an hour to perform the procedure. The common surgical cataract surgical techniques are - •Phacoemulsification •Manual extracapsular cataract surgery (MECS) •Manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) •Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) •Intracapsular cataract surgery If patients have cataracts in both the eyes, surgery will likely be scheduled weeks apart. Discussed below are the CPT codes to report cataract surgery - •66830Removal of secondary membranous cataract (opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid) with corneo-scleral section, with or without iridectomy (iridocapsulotomy, iridocapsulectomy) •66840Removal of lens material; aspiration technique, 1 or more stages •66850Removal of lens material; phacofragmentation technique (mechanical or ultrasonic) (e.g., phacoemulsification), with aspiration •66852Removal of lens material; pars plana approach, with or without vitrectomy •66920Removal of lens material; intracapsular •66940Removal of lens material; extracapsular (other than 66840, 66850, 66852) www.outsourcestrategies.com (800) 670-2809

3. •66982Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification), complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery (e.g. iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens, or primary posterior capsulorrhexis) or performed on patients in the amblyogenic developmental stage; without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation •66983Intracapsular cataract extraction with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1 stage procedure) •66984Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1 stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification); cyclophotocoagulation •66987Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification), complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery (e.g., iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens, or primary posterior capsulorrhexis) or performed on patients in the amblyogenic developmental stage; with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation •66988Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1 stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique (e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification); with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation without endoscopic Ophthalmology practices can ensure accurate reporting of CPT codes for appropriate reimbursement with the help of an ophthalmology medical billing company. Professional billing support includes insurance eligibility verification services to verify patient coverage before services are provided. www.outsourcestrategies.com (800) 670-2809