Medicare Blog

how to bill medicare for post cataract eyeglasses 2017

by Thaddeus Leannon Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

If you see the patient on day 1 after surgery, you would bill for the full 90 day global fee. If you start care at the end of week 1 after surgery, you would bill for 83/90 of the post op fee. Once you see the patient for the first visit, you are responsible for the balance of the 90 days of post op care and bill accordingly.

Medicare will pay for one pair of post-cataract surgery glasses per lifetime per eye after cataract surgery.
...
Payable diagnosis codes include:
  1. Z96. 1 (pseudophakia)
  2. H27. 01, H27. 02, H27. 03 (aphakia)
  3. Q12. 3 (congenital aphakia)
Mar 28, 2018

Full Answer

What does Medicare actually pay on Post Cataract glasses?

What does Medicare actually pay on Post Cataract glasses? After each cataract surgery with an intraocular lens, you pay 20% of Medicare-approved amounts for one pair of eyeglasses or one set of contact lenses, after the Part B deductible, if applicable. Medicare will only reimburse or pay for the standard eyeglass frame amount.

How much does Medicare pay for glasses after cataract surgery?

Not everyone needs glasses after cataract surgery, but if you need post-cataract glasses for reading and other close-up tasks, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and Medicare Part B will pay for the contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier enrolled in Medicare.

How to bill Medicare for post-cataract eyeglasses?

Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Cataract Eyewear

  • Step 1: Obtain your Medicare supplier number for eyewear. ...
  • Step 2: Visit the website of your region's Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier to which you will submit claims (See box below). ...
  • Step 3: Create an information sheet for patients. ...
  • Medicare will pay 80 percent of the allowable amount on eyewear (items covered by the V codes).

More items...

Will Medicare pay for glasses after cataract surgery?

Medicare pays for one pair of glasses after cataract surgery in the lifetime and this is the only time it pays for the glasses. If you were paid for a pair in the past and you have second eye operated on, Medicare will only pay for the lens and not a second pair of glasses. There is also a limit on the total amount covered.

Will Medicare reimburse me for glasses after cataract surgery?

for corrective lenses after each cataract surgery with an intraocular lens. You pay any additional costs for upgraded frames. Medicare will only pay for contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier enrolled in Medicare, no matter if you or your supplier submits the claim.

Is CPT code V2787 covered by Medicare?

V2787 - Astigmatism correcting function of intraocular lens. Non-covered by Medicare statue.

Are glasses covered after cataract surgery?

CMS states that “One pair of conventional eyeglasses or conventional contact lenses furnished after each cataract surgery with insertion of an IOL is covered,” according to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Ch.

Does Medicare pay for V2020?

Only standard frames (V2020) are covered. Additional charges for deluxe frames (V2025) will be denied as noncovered.

How do I bill Medicare for post cataracts glasses 2021?

Medicare will pay for one pair of post-cataract surgery glasses per lifetime per eye after cataract surgery....Payable diagnosis codes include:Z96. 1 (pseudophakia)H27. 01, H27. 02, H27. 03 (aphakia)Q12. 3 (congenital aphakia)

Are intraocular lenses covered by Medicare?

Original Medicare will cover only the cost of conventional monofocal intraocular lenses (lenses that are not presbyopia or astigmatism-correcting). These conventional lenses will give you good distance vision, such as for when you're driving.

Does Medicare pay for bifocal glasses after cataract surgery?

Generally, Medicare doesn't cover vision correction eyeglasses, contacts, or LASIK surgery for reasons unrelated to cataracts. Medicare also doesn't cover eyeglass “extras” like bifocals, tinted lenses, scratch resistant coating, or any contact-lens accessories.

How do you get glasses after cataract surgery?

When will I get my new glasses? We usually recommend waiting until your eye has settled, at around 6 weeks after surgery, before getting an eye test for your new glasses from your optician.

Is CPT 66984 covered by Medicare?

Medicare and most other insurance carriers specifically exclude coverage for the surgical correction of refractive errors, including astigmatism. 66984 with 67036.

What is CPT V2750?

V2750. Anti-reflective coating, per lens.

What is the CPT code for eyeglass frames?

HCPCS Code Range V2020-V2025.

What is V2799 CPT code?

Miscellaneous CodesProcedure CodeDescriptionV2799Vision Service, MiscellaneousMar 4, 2021

How many glasses does Medicare pay for after cataract surgery?

Frequency. Medicare will pay for one pair of post-cataract surgery glasses per lifetime per eye after cataract surgery. You also should review any local coverage determinations (LCDs) to find out if there are any local policy stipulations.

Who do you submit your eyeglasses to?

If you are billing for eyeglasses or contact lenses, you should submit claims to your Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Administrative Contractor (D ME MAC). Find a list of DME MACs.

What is the code for a single lens?

For one or two lenses, bill the correct Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code (V21xx, V22xx, or V23xx) on separate lines for each eye; use modifier RT or LT and the fee for one lens at your standard fee.

Does Medicare cover eyeglasses?

Medicare will cover one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses as a prosthetic device furnished after each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens (IOL). Replacement frames, eyeglass lenses and contact lenses are noncovered.

Does AOA advocate for Medicare?

The AOA continues to advocate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services so that doctors who are enrolled in Medicare as physicians should be exempt from this fee. To stay abreast of code changes and the latest coding information, access the AOA's coding resources: Online resources.

Does IOL cover new frames after cataract surgery?

If a beneficiary has a pair of eyeglasses, has a cataract extraction with IOL insertion, and receives only new lenses but not new frames after the surgery, the benefit would not cover new frames at a later date (unless it follows subsequent cataract extraction in the other eye).".

Does Medicare pay 100% for glasses?

Your costs in Original Medicare. You pay 100% for non-covered services, including most eyeglasses or contact lenses. In Original Medicare, this is the amount a doctor or supplier that accepts assignment can be paid. It may be less than the actual amount a doctor or supplier charges.

Is cataract surgery deductible?

for corrective lenses after each cataract surgery with an intraocular lens, and the Part B. deductible. The amount you must pay for health care or prescriptions before Original Medicare, your prescription drug plan, or your other insurance begins to pay. applies.

When does Medicare change the date of service for cataract eyeglasses?

The change is effective for dates of service on or after 03/01/2019.

What is RT in glasses?

Claims for lenses must include RT (right eye) and LT (left eye). Previously, when the code for RT and LT were the same, the DME MACs instructed us to bill on one line with RTLT and a quantity of 2 when the codes were the same for each eye. This new instruction changes this. Now, even when the lens codes are the same for each side of the glasses, each lens must be billed as its own line item with RT or LT and a quantity of 1. For example, a pair of bifocal lenses would be billed as V2203-RT and V2203-LT on two lines (each line with a unit of “1”).

What to do if you haven't been billed for post op surgery?

Coordinate with the surgeon's billing staff-make sure that you verify what was billed to Medicare when they originally billed for the surgery. IF THEY HAVEN'T BILLED THE SURGERY YET THEN DON'T BILL FOR THE POST-OP WORK, YOU WILL NOT GET PAID!

How long does post op work last?

Because Medicare and the likes of other insurance companies consider post-op work to be a maximum of 90 days and pay a certain amount for this procedure intended to cover you for ALL visits with this patient in the 90 days following the actual surgery.

When do you have to write in the dates that you saw the patient?

You will need to write in the dates that you saw patient-This means that when you manipulate the claim lines you will have to write a) the date you saw the patient and b) the date, 90 days from the start date, the post-op care will terminate. Also, you need to write 90 days after the dates.

Is it hard to bill for cataract surgery?

Billing for Cataract Post-Operative care should not be hard. It should be as easy for billing for an eye exam. With opticXpress at your side, billing for these services IS EASY! Watch this 59 second video to see just how easy it can be. Then...

Can you bill a catarac post operation?

Cataract Post-Operative Billing Can Be Easy!

Is the date of service the date of the surgery?

The date of service IS NOT THE DATE YOU SEE THE PATIENT, IT IS THE SURGERY DATE!

Do opthamological centers have referral sheets?

This sheet will list the procedure code used to bill medicare by that office for the original surgery as well as an modifiers that may have been used and the ORIGINAL surgery date. IF THE PATIENT DOESN'T HAVE THIS SHEET AND YOU CAN'T GET IT FROM THE SURGEON'S OFFICE, DON'T PERFORM THE EXAM UNTIL YOU DO.

Do MA plans have glasses?

You're in a tough spot. Most of the MA plans that I've seen have a carve out for glasses which is handled by Vision Care Plans such as Eyemed or VSP. If you aren't a participating provider for the plan for your non MA patients, I'm not sure if you are automatically enrolled as a participating provider under the MA. The eyeglass plans I've seen have a $150 allowance for the glasses and anything above that amount is paid out of pocket by the patient, with perhaps some discount on that amount or a discount on the total price of the glasses.

Can ODs participate in MA plans?

Unfortunately, many of the MA plans discriminate against ODs and won't allow them on their provider panels.

How many times can you get a cataract code?

Only bill mutually exclusive cataract removal codes once per eye. Get more information at

What is the procedure for extracapsular cataract removal?

Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (1-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique, (eg, irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification), complex, requiring devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery (eg, iris expansion device, suture support for intraocular lens, or primary posterior capsulorrhexis) or performed on patients in the amblyogenic development stage; without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation

What is the name of the IOL for presbyopia?

Common eye problems include presbyopia and astigmatism corrected by presbyopia-correcting IOLs (P-C IOLs) and astigmatism-correcting IOLs (A-C IOLs). A P-C IOL or A-C IOL are 2 separate items

What is an IOL lens?

A “conventional IOL” is a small, lightweight, clear disk replacing the focusing power of the eye’s natural crystalline lens. We cover a conventional IOL when it’s implanted during cataract surgery.

What is the procedure for removal of secondary membranous cataract?

Removal of secondary membranous cataract (opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid) with corneo-scleral section, with or without iridectomy (iridocapsulotomy, iridocapsulectomy)

What is a cataract in the eye?

A “cataract” is an opacity or cloudiness in the eye’s crystalline lens blocking light passage through

Who can screen for glaucoma?

Glaucoma screening for high-risk patients furnished by an optometrist or ophthalmologist

What is covered by refractive lenses?

Refractive lenses are covered when they are used to restore the vision normally provided by the natural lens of the eye of an individual lacking the organic lens because of surgical removal or congenital absence. Covered diagnoses are limited to pseudophakia (condition in which the natural lens has been replaced with an artificial intraocular lens [IOL]), aphakia (condition in which the natural lens has been removed but there is no IOL), and congenital aphakia. Lenses provided for other diagnoses will be denied as noncovered.

What are the requirements for Medicare?

For any item to be covered by Medicare, it must 1) be eligible for a defined Medicare benefit category, 2) be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member, and 3) meet all other applicable Medicare statutory and regulatory requirements. Information provided in this policy article relates to determinations other than those based on Social Security Act §1862 (a) (1) (A) provisions (i.e. “reasonable and necessary”).

Why are hydrophilic soft contact lenses denied?

When hydrophilic soft contact lenses (V2520, V2521, V2522, V2523) are used as a corneal dressing, they are denied as noncovered because in this situation they do not meet the definition of a prosthetic device.

Why do contractors specify bill types?

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. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.

Is V2797 a HCPCS code?

Vision supplies, accessories, and/or service components of another HCPCS vision code (V2797) will be denied as not separately payable.

Is V2615 covered by Medicare?

Low vision aids (V2600, V2610, V2615) will be denied as noncovered because coverage under the Medicare pro sthetic benefit is limited to persons with congenital absence or surgical removal of the lens of the eye.

Is there coverage for lenses?

Because coverage of refractive lenses is based upon the Prosthetic Device benefit category, there is no coverage for frames or lens add- on codes unless there is a covered lens (es). Frames provided without a covered lens (es) will be denied as noncovered.

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