Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

There are over 300,000 new edit pairs -- how many will impact ophthalmology coding? If you thought CCI versions after January were pretty tame, get ready for a big surprise. The Correct Coding Initiatives (CCIs) version 15.1, which went into effect on April 1, adds over 304,000 new edit pairs to its already massive list -- increasing the total present-day CCI database to 629,107 edit pairs. Of most concern to ophthalmology coders are the bundles affecting your vitrectomy and blepharoplasty coding, experts say. The file is one of the largest Ive seen, says Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CENTC, CPC-H, CPCP,CIMC, CHCC, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions in Tinton Falls, N.J. The official reason CMS has given for the size is a need to control anesthesia bundles. On the radar: CCI aims its fire at a select few codes this round, with only 524 unique codes listed in column 2 of the [...]