Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Document Ultrasonic FB Localization Necessity

Published on Mon May 05, 2008

Question: During surgery, the ophthalmologist performed an ultrasound of the patient's eye to locate a foreign body. How should I code these services?

Illinois Subscriber

Answer: You should report 76529 (Ophthalmic ultrasonic foreign body localization) along with the appropriate code for the foreign-body removal procedure (65205-65265).

The Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) doesn't bundle these codes, and payers should pay for both. Be sure your documentation supports the need for the ultrasound localization.

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