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Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Repeat YAG Capsulotomy

Published on Thu Jul 01, 1999

Question: A YAG capsulotomy (66821) was done first in October of 1995. We didnt see the patient again until December of 1998, with complaints of blurry vision and a diagnosis of a cloudy capsule. We did an additional YAG (66821) in December of 1998. Can we bill for the second YAG?

Suzanne Aven, Billing and Coding Representative
Omega Eye Care Center, Jackson, TN

Answer: Not only can you bill for the 66821 again but you should, says Libby Kuntz, administrator for Ophthalmology Center Limited, a three-ophthalmologist, one-optometrist practice in Philadelphia, PA. There should be no problem at all billing after three years, says the administrator. Youre supposed to bill it again.

Tip: This is exactly like seeing a new patient, since
three years have gone by. So you can bill new-patient codes as well.
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