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Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Billing ofr Arcuate Keratotomy

Published on Wed Sep 01, 1999

Question: Is there a way to bill for AK when the patients astigmatism is not surgically induced?

Anonymous TN subscriber

Answer: No. AK (arcuate keratotomy) is a procedure which flattens the cornea after surgery, and is done for the purpose of reducing astigmatism. Medicare wont pay for this surgery when it is done to correct astigmatism, which was not caused by surgery. Neither will most private plans. The procedure is considered cosmetic, since glasses would correct the astigmatism just as well (at least theoretically).
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