Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Dx for Irritated Pinguecula
Published on Tue Jan 01, 2002
Question: Which diagnosis code should I use for an irritated pinguecula?
Connecticut Subscriber
Answer: A pinguecula is degenerated conjunctival tissue which may occur on either side of the cornea; it is an anatomical defect that looks like a bump on the conjunctiva. It is the early stage of pterygium. Use 372.51 (conjunctival degenerations and deposits; pinguecula) whether the pinguecula is irritated or not.
Answers to Reader Questions and You Be the Coder reviewed by Lise Roberts, vice president, Health Care Compliance Strategies, Jericho, N.Y.; and Raequell Duran, president, Practice Solutions, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Other Articles in this issue of
Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
- Use Different Diagnosis When Billing for an Office Visit and Minor Surgery
When the diagnosis is the same or similar for an office visit and minor surgery, [...] - Choose Modifiers -58, -78, -79 for Re-Repair of Detached Retina
Re-repairs are uncommon, but they happen. Candidates often have a detached retina (67107-67112) and have [...] - You Be the Coder:
Is Refraction for Medicare Patient
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - News Brief:
Good News and Bad News in Medicare Fee Schedule
The Medicare Fee Schedule for 2002, with its reduced conversion factor, will lower [...] - Free Anthrax Coding Report on Web
Physicians and other healthcare professionals who provide services to any patients with actual or possible [...] - CMS Downgrades A- and B-Scan Supervision Requirements
Ophthalmologists can now leave more tests to their technicians, freeing up their time for surgery [...] - News Brief:
Visudyne for Occult ARMD Not yet Covered
Now that coding and payment policies for ocular photodynamic therapy (OPT) (67221, destruction of localized [...] - Reader Question:
Modifier -GX Replacements
Question: I heard that modifier -GX is being replaced. What should I use instead?
Ohio Subscriber [...] - Reader Question:
Snipping a Conjunctival Cyst
Question: A doctor removed a conjunctival cyst, but did not incise or drain it, only [...] - Reader Question:
Dx for Irritated Pinguecula
Question: Which diagnosis code should I use for an irritated pinguecula?
Connecticut Subscriber
Answer: A pinguecula [...]
View All
