Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

With several possible surgical treatments for cataract procedures, which you probably code more often than any other surgery, there's a lot of room for error -- with over $890 at stake for complex cataract procedures in 2009.

Use these tricky scenarios as a guide through some of the most problematic cataract coding situations:

Scenario #1: During the course of a cataract removal, the vitreous collapses and the ophthalmologist finds it necessary to perform a vitrectomy.

Problem: Can you code separately for the vitrectomy?

Solution: The answer depends on whether the vitreous collapse was an iatrogenic (inadvertently introduced) complication. Ophthalmologists often have to perform a vitrectomy during cataract surgery due to vitreous collapse in the course of removing a dense, senile cataract. In these cases, Medicare considers the vitrectomy a component of the cataract surgery, and thus not separately payable.

The National Correct Coding Initiative bundles vitrectomy codes 67005 (Removal of vitreous, anterior approach [open sky technique or limbal incision]; partial removal) and 67010 (... subtotal removal with mechanical vitrectomy) into cataract surgery codes 66982 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [one stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique, complex ...) and 66984 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [one stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique [e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification]), says Riva Lee Asbell, ophthalmic coding and reimbursement educator and principal of Riva Lee Asbell Associates in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., who led the "Avoid the Modifier Haze" seminar at The Coding Institute's July conference.

Rationale: "When procedures are performed together that are basically the same, or performed on the same site but are qualified by an increased level of complexity, the less extensive procedure is included in the more extensive procedure," explains Asbell.

Exception: If a prolapsed vitreous exists and is known in advance -- and documented in the patient medical record -- it is not considered a complication of the cataract surgery. Therefore, the physician who plans to perform a vitrectomy during the same operative session of cataract surgery could code separately for the vitrectomy using modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service): 67005-59 or 67010-59.

Key: Documentation and diagnosis codes can get you reimbursement. Use 379.26 (Vitreous prolapse) for the vitrectomy and the appropriate cataract diagnosis (366.x, Cataract) for the cataract removal.

Be prepared to provide documentation in case you receive denials when using the cataract and vitrectomy codes together, despite using modifier 59. Payers are aware of the potential for abuse of 59 and may want you to go through the review process to prove you've met the definition of "distinct procedural service."

Provide the chart notes to show that you knew about the vitreous collapse in advance and that you made plans to repair it prior to the surgical session of another service. Also, you should provide the operative report with clear documentation showing that there was another condition, besides the cataract surgery, that made the vitrectomy medically necessary.

Scenario #2: On Aug. 1, an ophthalmologist performs an extracapsular cataract removal with IOL insertion on a patient's right eye. One month later, on Sept. 1, he performs the same surgery on the patient's left eye.

Problem: The cataract procedure, 66984 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [one stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique [e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification]) has a 90-day global period, says Asbell. To report 66984 performed on the left eye a month after the original surgery, you'll need a modifier -- but which one?

Solution: Because the two surgeries seem related, you may be tempted to append modifier 78 (Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period) to the second cataract surgery, but that would be a mistake. The surgery in the left eye is considered unrelated to the initial surgery in the right eye.

The best option here would be modifier 79 (Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period).

Remember also to append the "side" modifiers, LT (Left side) or RT (Right side), to demonstrate that the ophthalmologist performed the procedures on opposite eyes. Report 66984-79-LT for the second cataract surgery.

Scenario #3: On Nov. 10, the patient in Scenario #2 presents with after-cataracts in his left eye. The ophthalmologist incises the posterior capsule with a YAG laser.

Problem: The global period for the original cataract surgery expired before Nov. 10. Do you need to append a modifier to the YAG capsulotomy? If so, which modifier?

Solution: In this case, the global period for 66984-RT is over -- but the patient is still in the postoperative period for 66984-LT.

When the ophthalmologist performed 66984 on the left eye on Sept. 1, a new 90-day global period started, which would end at the end of November. Code 66821- LT-78 (Discission of secondary membranous cataract [opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid]; laser surgery [e.g., YAG laser] [one or more stages]; left side; return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period).

If the patient also had after-cataracts in his right eye, you would code 66821-RT-79. That procedure, although occurring within the global period of 66984-LT, is unrelated to it, warranting the use of modifier 79. The global period for the related procedure, 66984-RT, would already have expired.