Correctly Report Corneal Tissue Transportation for Keratoplasty
Question: I’m new to ophthalmology coding, and I have a report for a keratoplasty procedure where corneal tissue was transplanted. The documentation says the provider replaced damaged corneal endothelial tissue. How do I report the procedure? Pennsylvania Subscriber Answer: Use 65756 (Keratoplasty (corneal transplant); endothelial) to report the keratoplasty procedure. You’ll also assign HCPCS Level II code V2785 (Processing, preserving and transporting corneal tissue) for the corneal tissue processing and preservation for the transplant. According to Novitas Solutions, a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), V2785 “should only be reported when corneal tissue is used in a corneal transplant procedure.” Also, you should check with your payer to confirm whether you’ll append V2785 with modifier KX (Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met). This modifier shows that the documentation meets all of the requirements laid out in the payer’s policy and that the corneal tissue processing, preservation, and transportation was medically necessary. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
