Kentucky Subscriber
Answer: Code only the procedure the ophthalmologist finished (67101, Repair of retinal detachment, one or more sessions; cryotherapy or diathermy, with or without drainage of subretinal fluid), not the one he abandoned (67105, ... photocoagulation, with or without drainage of subretinal fluid). Appending modifier 53 (Discontinued procedure) would not be appropriate in this case.
Reason: Section 15068 of the Medicare Carriers Manual explains, "An initial approach to a procedure may be followed at the same encounter by a second, usually more invasive approach. There may be separate CPT codes describing each service. ... These procedures are considered 'sequential procedures.' Only the CPT code for one of the services, generally the more invasive service, should be billed.
Opportunity: Your ophthalmologist, however, may be able to append modifier 22 (Unusual procedural services) to the completed procedure to indicate the additional work performed in converting from one procedure to another. The additional work must be significant and documented in the procedure note.