Question: Am I able to submit for lysis of adhesions separately from cataract surgery, or would this qualify for CPT code 66982 Complex cataract surgery?

Answer: Lysis of adhesions CPT codes 65860-65880, are bundled in with both 66984 and 66982. They should not be submitted separately. Lysis of adhesions alone does not make the case complex. Documentation would need to include one of the following when billing complex cataract surgery:

• A miotic pupil that will not dilate sufficiently to allow operative access to the lens and that requires the insertion of one of the following: Four iris retractors through four additional incisions; Beehler expansion device; a sector iridectomy with subsequent suture repair of; iris sphincter; or sphincterotomies created with scissors.
• The presence of a disease state that produces lens support structures that are abnormally weak or absent. This requires the need to support the lens implant with permanent intraocular sutures, or alternately, a capsular tension ring may be necessary to allow placement of an intraocular lens.
• Pediatric cataract surgery when implanting an IOL.
• For payers that allow for dye usage due to a mature cataract.

Learn more about surgeries in the Anterior Segment/Cataract module