JUN 23, 2016
Cataract Surgery Without IOL Implantation
Question: The physician discontinued cataract surgery after a pressure spike and the lens was removed, but did not implant an IOL. Three weeks later the IOL was inserted. What is the correct way to code the two procedures?
Answer: Bill the first procedure as the removal of lens only. Depending on how the procedure was performed, look at CPT code family 66840-66852. Include only the eye modifier. When billing for the lens insertion, submit CPT code 66985 Secondary IOL with modifier -58 and the eye modifier, since this was a staged procedure.