Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Ophthalmology coders glide through the latest Correct Coding Initiative edits and into the new year with only a handful of new bundles to reckon with. Here's the rundown. The CCI edits effective Jan. 1 through March 31 have bundled two nerve block codes 64416 and 64402 into the overwhelming majority of eye and ocular adnexa surgical procedures. 64416 (Injection, anesthetic agent; brachial plexus continuous infusion by catheter [including catheter placement] including daily management for anesthetic agent administration), a new code in 2003, is now considered included in all ophthalmologic surgical procedures except the following: 65760 Keratomileusis 65765 Keratophakia 65767 Epikeratoplasty 65771 Radial keratotomy Unlisted-procedure codes 66999, 67299, 67399, 67599, 67999, 68399 and 68899 Add-on codes 66990, 67320, 67331, 67332, 67334, 67335 and 67340. As of Jan. 1, you can no longer use 64402* (Injection, anesthetic agent; facial nerve) and expect it to be reimbursed separately from 67415, 67500-67570, 67700-67975, 68020-68362 and 68400-68850. In other edits, 67500* (Retrobulbar injection; medication [separate procedure, does not include supply of medication]) has been bundled into 10 new 2003 CPT anesthesia codes:

00326 Anesthesia for all procedures on the larynx and trachea in children less than 1 year of age Intrathoracic anesthesia codes 00539 and 00541 00640 Anesthesia for manipulation of the spine or for closed procedures on the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine Hernia repair anesthesia codes 00834 and 00836 00921 Anesthesia for procedures on male genitalia (including open urethral procedures); vasectomy, unilateral/bilateral 01829 Anesthesia for diagnostic arthroscopic procedures on the wrist New nerve block codes 01991 and 01992.