MAY 31, 2022
Billing for Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
I have a patient who requests to have laser assisted cataract surgery but has little to no astigmatism and an IOL that does not meet specialty lens parameters. My understanding is that Medicare does not allow the patient to pay for this out of pocket. Is this true?
Your understanding is correct; you are not able to separately bill for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in this case. If you feel the patient would benefit from FLACS, you can use it, but you are not able to charge the patient. The Academy’s guidelines continue to be current.
AAO, ASCRS Guidance re Medicare Billing, Laser Cataract Surgery