Advanced Search

Pediatric Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Is There an Eye Wash Code?

Published on Wed Nov 28, 2007

Question: A 2-month-old baby's parent brought her into the office with a feared complaint of a hair in the child's eye. The mom insisted that the eye be flushed. Is there a procedure code for an eye flush, or is the procedure bundled in the E/M?


North Carolina Subscriber

 
Answer: CPT does not include a code for eye irrigation. You should instead include the service in the E/M service level you select. Because no diagnosis was made and no symptoms reported, use V65.5 (Person with feared complaint in whom no diagnosis was made). Some payers may require you to first list what the patient feared--the foreign body (930.1, Foreign body in conjunctival sac) and report V65.5 second.

But if the baby actually had a hair in the conjunctiva that you removed, you could instead use foreign-body removal code 65205 (Removal of foreign body, external eye; conjunctival superficial) with 930.1.
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

Pediatric Coding Alert

View All