Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Lacricath Dacryoplasty

Published on Fri Sep 01, 2000

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.

Question: I am trying to find a CPT code for lacricath dacryoplasty. Basically, the doctor used a balloon to open a nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Delaware Subscriber

Answer: The lacrimal system serves to keep the conjuntivae and cornea moist through the production, distribution and elimination of tears. CPT code 68801 (dilation of the lacrimal punctum, with or without irrigation) most closely describes it, even though a balloon is not specified as a means of opening the duct. If the use of the balloon technique requires considerable more effort on the part of the physician, you can append modifier -22 (unusual procedural service) and attach a copy of the procedure note to the bill.

Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Optimal Coding for Excisions of Multiple Benign Lesions from Eyelids
When a pathology report shows a patient has a single benign lesion that was excised [...]

PDT Update:
HCFA Wants 67299 for Photodynamic Therapy
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is cracking down on photodynamic therapy (PDT) even before [...]

You Be the Coder:
Lacricath Dacryoplasty
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...]

Know New Medicare Fee Schedule for Proper Payments in 2001
With only three months to go until 2001, its time to be sure youre ready [...]

Correction:
Fundus Photography, Fluorescein Angiography and ICG
In the article Avoid Fraud: Fundus Photography and Fluorescein Angiography Need Two Separate Reports in [...]

Reader Question:
Office Visits
Question: We are having some trouble getting paid on office visits within the postoperative period. [...]

Reader Question:
Ophthalmology Fees
Question: Where can I get a list of usual, customary and reasonable fees for ophthalmological [...]

Reader Question:
Diagnosis Code for Replaced Implants
Question: A patient had a poor visual result from a multifocal implant and had it [...]

Reader Question:
Multiple Foreign Bodies
Question: If a physician removes multiple foreign bodies from the same cornea (65220*-65222*), can we [...]

Reader Question:
Pachymetry
Question: How do you determine the procedure code and appropriate charges for pachymetry when done [...]

Reader Question:
Office Consultation
Questions: When billing an office consultation with a minor office surgery performed on the same [...]

Reader Question:
A-scan
Question: When billing the second eye for an A-scan what is the best way to [...]

Reader Question:
Silicone Oil
Question: For the use of silicone oil, we have always used 67025 (injection of vitreous [...]

View All