Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Know the appropriate codes for specific corneal conditions -- and give your practice the reimbursement it deserves. To take advantage of new reimbursement avenues that silicone hydrogel lenses have opened up, your coding skills have to be up to par. See if you can tap all the revenue streams illustrated in the following case study and follow-up visits. Zero In on the Complaint Check out the following E/M coding example from Carla Jean Mack, OD, FAAO, of the Ohio State University College of Optometry and editor of Contact Lens Spectrum and weekly e-mail newsletter Contact Lenses Today. Scenario: A new patient presents with a corneal abrasion on the right eye. The ocular damage had likely resulted from the use of a soft toric contact lens, Mack says. The ophthalmologist determined a corneal abrasion diagnosis and prescribed a topical antibiotic ophthalmic solution for the patient. The ophthalmologist fitted a silicone hydrogel bandage [...]