Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: Our ophthalmologist wants me to submit a claim for 66982, along with stretching of pupil with iris hooks and staining of anterior capsule with vision blue dye. Are there separate codes for those services? Are they bundled? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: You can't claim them separately, but the use of iris hooks and blue dye in the anterior chamber will help back up your use of 66982 (Extracapsular cataract removal ... complex ...). Key: According to CPT®, "devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery" distinguish complex cataract surgery from the other codes. The "iris expansion device" (e.g., iris hooks) is one of those devices. Any device or technique to gain access through a miotic pupil would also support your 66982 claim. Some Medicare carriers' policies on 66982 also mention the use of dye for visualization of capsulorrhexis as a reason to report the code. Very young patients [...]