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Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

CPT® 2013:

Watch For Anterior Segment Photography, Paracentesis Changes

Published on Sun Nov 25, 2012

Use the same code for diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis with removal of aqueous. The new year always brings at least a few changes to your ophthalmology CPT ® coding, and 2013 will be no exception, especially if your practice ever performs paracentesis of aqueous fluid or anterior segment photography. No new codes have been added to the list of eye and ocular adnexa surgery codes, but there has been one deletion. CPT® code 65805 (Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye [separate procedure]; with therapeutic release of aqueous) will not appear in next year's procedure coding manual. In addition, the descriptor for code 65800 (Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye [separate procedure]; with diagnostic aspiration of aqueous) will be slightly revised next year, with the phrase "diagnostic aspiration" replaced by "removal." Translation: In 2013, you will use only one code to report paracentesis with release of aqueous fluid: 65800 (Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye [separate procedure]; with removal of aqueous). Use this code regardless of the reason -- diagnostic or therapeutic -- the ophthalmologist performed the paracentesis with removal of aqueous, says Maggie M. Mac, CPC, CEMC, CHC, CMM, ICCE, president of Maggie Mac-Medical Practice Consulting in Clearwater, Fla. The codes for anterior chamber paracentesis with removal of vitreous (65810, Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye [separate procedure]; with removal of vitreous and/or discission of anterior hyaloid membrane, with or without air injection) and with removal of blood (65815, Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye (separate procedure); with removal of blood, with or without irrigation and/or air injection) remain unchanged in 2013. The code descriptors for special anterior segment photography will also undergo some changes:
  • 92286 --
Special anterior Anterior segment photography imaging with interpretation and report; with specular endothelial microscopy and endothelial cell count analysis
  • 92287 --
Special anterior Anterior segment photography imaging with interpretation and report; with fluorescein angiography.   "The revisions were made to be current with technology, in that most images are now digital images and this has replaced film images," explains Mac. Don't miss: CPT® will also revise the descriptor for 67810 (Biopsy of eyelid) to "Incisional biopsy of eyelid including lid margin." There will also be some key changes in E/M code descriptors next year; for more information on those, see "CPT® 2013: Get the Scoop on E/M Verbiage Tweaks Coming in the New Year" in Ophthalmology Coding Alert Vol. 15, No. 11.

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