he should only append modifier LT, because you can only bill once per eye. Report Plugs Once Per Lid Most Medicare carriers want you to report code 68761 (Closure of the lacrimal punctum; by plug, each) once per eyelid, using E1-E4. But if you insert more than two plugs, be prepared to justify the medical necessity.
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Punctal occlusion by plug is assigned to APC code 5501. The 2020 ASC facility allowable for 68761 is $97; the HOPD rate is $270.
Use 68761 (Closure of lacrimal punctum; by plug, each) to describe the professional service.
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The Details. Medicare has updated their payment policy for CPT codes 68760 and 68761 to a bilateral indicator of “1”. This means payment is per eye, not per lid. Use modifiers RT, LT, and -50.
CPT code 68761 defines the “closure of the lacrimal punctum, by plug, each,” so additional modifiers that specify the lid—E1, upper left lid; E2, lower left lid; E3, upper right lid; E4, lower right lid—must be used when coding for punctal occlusion.
ICD-10 code H04. 12 for Dry eye syndrome is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the eye and adnexa .
When medically necessary, Medicare and most major insurance providers will cover punctal occlusion (68761, Closure of lacrimal punctum; by plug, each). As a surgical procedure, supportive documentation in the patient's medical record is required.
bilateral proceduresUse modifier 50 to report bilateral procedures performed during the same operative session by the same physician in either separate operative areas (e.g., hands, feet, legs, arms, ears) or in the same operative area (e.g., nose, eyes, breasts).
If appropriate, an office visit on the day of punctal plug insertion can be billed using modifier 25 appending the office visit code. Reimbursement for this CPT code based on 2020 MPFS for this in-office procedure is $152, which is then adjusted by local wage indices.
ICD-10 code H04. 56 for Stenosis of lacrimal punctum is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the eye and adnexa .
Modifier 79 is for an “unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during a post-operative period.” Modifier 79 is like modifiers 58 and 78. It covers procedures by the same doctor in the post-op period.
Modifier 25 is used to facilitate billing of E/M services on the day of a procedure for which separate payment may be made. It is used to report a significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the day of a procedure.
Check with payers if the supply of the plug(s) are covered. If it is covered, report the supply codes with A4262[Temporary, absorbable lacrimal duct implant, each] or A4263[Permanent, long term, nondissolvable lacrimal duct implant, each].
HCPCS code A4263 for Permanent, long term, non-dissolvable lacrimal duct implant, each as maintained by CMS falls under Other Supplies Including Diabetes Supplies and Contraceptives .
Modifier 25 is used to facilitate billing of E/M services on the day of a procedure for which separate payment may be made. It is used to report a significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the day of a procedure.
Use modifier 50 to report bilateral procedures performed during the same operative session by the same physician in either separate operative areas (e.g., hands, feet, legs, arms, ears) or in the same operative area (e.g., nose, eyes, breasts).
A Yes, when medically necessary. Use 68761 (Closure of lacrimal punctum; by plug, each) to describe the professional service. The CPT code makes no distinction between types or brands of punctal plugs.
That is, for every 100 exams for Medicare beneficiaries, Medicare paid for this service twice .
Dislodging an intracanalicular plug may be readily accomplished by irrigating the lacrimal system with saline. Use CPT code 68801 (Dilation of lacrimal punctum, with or without irrigation) or 68840 (Probing of lacrimal canaliculi, with or without irrigation) to report this procedure, depending on the position and manipulation of the irrigating cannula. As with other lacrimal procedures, the multiple surgery rule applies.
A Medicare has assigned “E” modifiers to indicate which eyelid was treated. Most private payers and some Medicare contractors do not recognize these modifiers, but will accept RT (right eye) and LT (left eye) on the claim. Bilateral services may be reported as 68761-50.
Last updated January 24, 2020. The reimbursement information is provided by Corcoran Consulting Group based on publicly available information from CMS, the AMA, and other sources. The reader is strongly encouraged to review federal and state laws, regulations, code sets, and official instructions promulgated by Medicare and other payers.
As with any surgical procedure, the patient’s informed consent is obtained. An appropriate operative report should be in the medical record; this includes any preparatory drops, which puncta were occluded, and a description of the brand, size and lot number of the plugs. Postoperative instructions should also be noted. A template for in-office procedures is available on our website.
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
Language quoted from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals is italicized throughout the policy.
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.