Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
Pars Plana Vitrectomy
Question: How would we code a pars plana vitrectomy with cryotherapy for a retinal tear, a lensectomy, an injection of a subconjunctival antibiotic, and a vitreous biopsy for cytology and for culture?
West Virginia Subscriber
Answer: The code to use to report this service is 67108 (repair of retinal detachment; with vitrectomy, any method, with or without air or gas tamponade, focal endolaser photocoagulation, cryotherapy, drainage of subretinal fluid, scleral buckling, and/or removal of lens by same technique). The codes for the vitreous biopsy, 67015 (aspiration or release of vitreous, subretinal or choroidal fluid, pars plana approach [posterior sclerotomy]) and for the injection, 67028 (intravitreal injection of a pharmacologic agent [separate procedure]) are listed as components of 67108 in the Correct Coding Initiative bundle list. You cannot bill Medicare separately for these additional services.
Answers to Reader Questions and You Be the Coder contributed by: Lise Roberts, vice president, Health Care Compliance Strategies, a coding, reimbursement and compliance consulting company, N.Y.; Raequell Duran, president, Practice Solutions, a coding and compliance consulting company specializing in ophthalmology, Calif.; Patricia M. Salmon, president, Patricia M. Salmon & Associates, Pa.
Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
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Pars Plana Vitrectomy
Question: How would we code a pars plana vitrectomy with cryotherapy for a retinal tear, [...]
