Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

5 questions to put your knowledge of CPT 2005 and NCCI 11.0 to the test

Still trying to digest all the changes from CPT 2005 and NCCI version 11.0? This quiz will help you determine whether you're on the right track with the new codes and bundles.

Hint: You can find all the quiz answers in one of these two past Ophthalmology Coding Alert articles: "CPT 2005 Update: Cyclophotocoagulation Coding Could Get Easier Next Year" from the October 2004 issue, or "NCCI 11.0 Update: Not Reporting Cataract Extractions With Pars Plana Vitrectomies? Now You Can" from the January 2005 issue.

1. The patient has chronic glaucoma. Through an incision, the ophthalmologist inserts an endoscope and performs photocoagulation of the ciliary processes in the anterior chamber. You should report:

a. 65875 - Severing adhesions of anterior segment of eye, incisional technique (with or without injection of air or liquid) (separate procedure); posterior synechiae

b. 66982 - Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (one-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique, complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery or performed on patients in the amblyogenic developmental stage

c. 66710 - Ciliary body destruction; cyclophotocoagulation, transscleral and +66990 - Use of ophthalmic endoscope

d. 66711 - Ciliary body destruction; cyclophotocoagulation, endoscopic

e. 66711 and +66990

2. Which of these codes are bundled into the new ciliary destruction code, 66711?

a. 65805 - Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye (separate procedure); with therapeutic release of aqueous

b. 66030 - Injection, anterior chamber of eye (separate procedure); medication

c. 66500 - Iridotomy by stab incision (separate procedure); except transfixion

d. 66630 - Iridectomy, with corneoscleral or corneal section; sector for glaucoma (separate procedure)

e. All of the above

3. True or false: The initial hospice evaluation code G0337 (Hospice evaluation and counseling services, pre-election) and "Welcome to Medicare" code G0344 (Initial preventive physical examination; face-to-face visit, services limited to new beneficiary during the first six months of Medicare enrollment) both include eye examination codes 92002-92014 as components.

4. Which of the following is not bundled into 67345 (Chemodenervation of extraocular muscle)?

a. 95860 - Needle electromyography; one extremity with or without related paraspinal areas

b.  95867 - ... cranial nerve supplied muscle(s), unilateral

c.  95868 - ... cranial nerve supplied muscle(s), bilateral

d.  95870 - ... limited study of muscles in one extremity or non-limb (axial) muscles (unilateral or bilateral), other than thoracic paraspinal, cranial nerve supplied muscles, or sphincters

e. None of the above

5. Which of the following codes is still bundled into vitrectomy codes 67036-67040?

a. 66830 - Removal of secondary membranous cataract (opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid) with corneoscleral section, with or without iridectomy (iridocapsulotomy, iridocapsulectomy)

b. 66982 - Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (one-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique, complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery or performed on patients in the amblyogenic developmental stage

c. 66983 - Intracapsular cataract extraction with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (one-stage procedure)

d. 66984 - Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (one-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique

e. All of the above

f. None of the above

Answers: 1. D; 2. E; 3. True; 4. E; 5. A