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A Monthly Interactive Email Quiz

Answer:

A 72-year-old patient with visually significant cataract and moderate open-angle glaucoma undergoes routine phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in the right eye, combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) to lower intraocular pressure. Which of the following CPT codes should be reported for the surgeon's professional services for this combined procedure?

a) 66984 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [1-stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique [e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification]; without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation) and 66711 (Ciliary body destruction; cyclophotocoagulation, endoscopic)

66982 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [1-stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique [e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification], complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery [e.g., iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens]; without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation) and 66711 (Ciliary body destruction; cyclophotocoagulation, endoscopic

c) 66988 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [1-stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique [e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification]; with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation)

d) 66987 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis [1-stage procedure], manual or mechanical technique [e.g., irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification], complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery [e.g., iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens]; with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation)

Did you know?

Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) can be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with cataract surgery. When ECP is performed alone, the CPT Code 66711 is used. However, effective January 1, 2020, two new CPT Codes, 66987 (66982 + 66711) and 66988 (66984 + 66711) have been created to bundle cataract removal and ECP. The CPT Code 66987 is used for complex cataract removal and ECP, while CPT Code 66988 is used for routine cataract removal and ECP. Codes 66982, 66984, and 66711 should not be reported when performing ECP in combination with cataract surgery. For 2025, the national average unadjusted Medicare Payment

for CPT codes 66987 and 66988 is $4,022.86 for hospitals and $2,094.33 for ambulatory surgical centers.

Learn more about endoscopy in glaucoma surgery and how ECP can help lower IOP among patients with mild to late-stage glaucoma.

 

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