Optometry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: If a patient receives treatment and the condition was resolved, which ICD-9 code should I report if the patient returns in six months for a follow-up visit?

Answer: The most accurate way to code visits to follow up on treatment for a previous condition is to report a V code as the primary diagnosis, with the condition that the optometrist is following up on as the secondary diagnosis. You can find the follow-up V codes in the V67.x series in the ICD-9 manual. Although none specifically mention eye treatments, these are some examples of V codes that might be applicable:

• V67.00 -- Follow-up examination; following surgery, unspecified
• V67.59 -- ... following other treatment; other
• V67.6 -- ... following combined treatment
• V67.9 -- ... unspecified follow-up examination.

Beware: Many payers won't accept a V code as a primary diagnosis that proves medical necessity. Some experts advise reporting the original diagnosis as the primary ICD-9 code, arguing that it best describes the reason the patient is being examined -- if there were no original diagnosis, there would be no follow-up. Until the doctor pronounces the patient cured, the condition is still the reason for follow-up. Use the V code as a secondary diagnosis, because it provides additional information for the office visit.

Best bet: Check with your payers for their policies on sequencing ICD-9 codes for follow-up visits. Your payer may interpret a follow-up visit as routine and thus not reimbursable.