Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
Don't Expect Separate Slit Lamp Pay
Question: One of our optometrists uses a slit-lamp to check on healing after a foreign body (FB) removal during follow-up visits. He wants to try to charge extra for using the slit-lamp, arguing that it takes additional time and expertise to do this. Granted, he used it the first time for the FB removal, but it seems a bit much to try to charge extra each time. How should we code and bill these types of visits? Pennsylvania Subscriber Answer: There is no code that describes only a slit-lamp exam without a removal of a foreign body. If the optometrist performs the exam as part of a follow-up encounter to evaluate the patient’s condition, an E/M code (such as 99212, Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient…) would be correct. You’d select the E/M code level depending on the documentation. Link the E/M code to the original complaint — for example, S05.00XA (Injury of conjunctiva and corneal abrasion without foreign body, unspecified eye, initial encounter).
Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
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Don't Expect Separate Slit Lamp Pay
Question: One of our optometrists uses a slit-lamp to check on healing after a foreign [...]
