Wiki Membrane peels during Vitrectomy

[jenjo]

I have a new doctor performing vitrectomies and had a question about this op report.

Following completion of the vitrectomy, the end-grasping forceps were used to peel the dense adherent epiretinal membrane from the posterior pole. Following peeling of the initial membrane, a second membrane was peeled that had the consistency of internal limiting membrane. The peripheral retina was then inspected with scleral depression.

My question is can I code for more than one membrane peel during a vitrectomy or just the ILM, 67042, which I'm not sure I can code from the phrasing of this report?

Any help or opinions would be great.

Thanks, Jen

 

[mhammy67]

Jen,
Personally I would not code as an ILM peeling only because he says it has the "consistancy" of the ILM. It dosn't seem as though that was a definitive answer on what he/she peeled. From what I have learned through coding audits you cannot bill for more than one membrane. Hope it helps.