Advanced Search

Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

CCI 16.0 Update:

Brace Yourself for Massive Injection Code Bundling in January

Published on Sat Nov 21, 2009

Also: CCI clarifies that eye exams are bundled into 'Welcome to Medicare' exams. You may still be poring through your 2010 CPT manual, but the new edition of Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), effective Jan. 1, could change how you report your ophthalmologist's injection procedures. The CCI released version 16.0 in early December, revealing 24,060 new active pairs and 869 modifier changes, said Frank D. Cohen, MPA, MBB, senior analyst with MIT Solutions, Inc., in a Dec. 8 announcement. One big change ophthalmology coders will notice is that CCI 16.0 bundles new spinal injection codes 64490 (Injection[s], diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet [zygapophyseal] joint [or nerves innervating that joint] with image guidance [fluoroscopy or CT], cervical or thoracic, single level) and 64493 (... lumbar or sacral, single level) into nearly all of the Eye and Ocular Adnexa surgery codes (65091-68899). CPT introduced the new paravertebral facet injection codes for 2010 [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

View All