It is happening because of this:
Scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging, posterior segment, with interpretation and report, unilateral or bilateral; retina
- No more than one (1) exam every two (2) months will be considered medically reasonable and necessary to manage the patient whose primary ophthalmological condition is related to a retinal disease that is not undergoing active treatment.*
*Note: Please see next bullet if undergoing active treatment.
- No more than one (1) exam per month will be considered medically reasonable and necessary to manage the patient with retinal conditions undergoing active treatment. These conditions include wet AMD, choroidal neovascularization, macular edema, diabetic retinopathy (proliferative and nonproliferative), branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, and cystoid macular edema. With the development of treat and extend protocols for patients with wet AMD treated with antiangiogenic drugs, it is expected that SCODI (unilateral or bilateral) will be used for therapeutic decision making and utilized at a maximum of monthly with subsequent less frequency based on the patient treatment protocol and patient response as documented in the medical record.
In addition, other conditions which may undergo rapid clinical changes monthly requiring aggressive therapy and frequent follow-up (e.g., macular hole and traction retinal detachment) may also require monthly scans.
- No more than one (1) exam per year will be considered medically reasonable and necessary for patients being treated with CQ and/or HCQ. These patients should receive a baseline examination within the first year of treatment and as an annual follow-up after five years of treatment. For higher-risk patients, annual testing may begin immediately (without a 5-year delay).
Thank you,
Rajinder Singh Dhammi, CPC, CPB