Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: When should I use CPT® code 67331? I have been told in the past that you only use the code if the patient has had a different type of eye surgery leading to the strabismus, not a previous strabismus surgery. 

Kansas Subscriber

Answer: CPT® code 67331 (Strabismus surgery on patient with previous eye surgery or injury that did not involve the extraocular muscles [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) is an add-on code, which can only be reported in conjunction with a primary procedure code — in this case, a strabismus surgery code from the 67311-67318 range. It is meant to describe the ophthalmic surgeon’s extra work in planning and performing strabismus surgery on patients who have had previous eye surgery.

According to CPT® Assistant, “There is increased difficulty of planning and performing strabismus surgery on eyes that have had previous surgery or have been injured. Code 67331 is reported with the definitive strabismus surgery now being performed. If both eyes have had prior eye surgery or injury, the 50 modifier (Bilateral procedure) is appended to 67331. If the same strabismus surgery code is reported for the strabismus surgery on both eyes, the 50 modifier is also reported with the code for the definitive strabismus surgery.”