2025 CPT code 66820

Discission of secondary membranous cataract (opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid) using a stab incision technique (Ziegler or Wheeler knife).

Do not report 66820 in addition to codes 65091-68850.For laser discission, use 66821.

Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances like increased procedural services (22), bilateral procedures (50), or reduced services (52). Refer to current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.

Medical necessity must be established by documenting the patient's decreased visual acuity or other visual disturbances resulting from the secondary membranous cataract.

The ophthalmologist performs the procedure, which includes dilating the pupil, making the incision, and ensuring proper post-operative care like antibiotic application and patching.

IMPORTANT For the same procedure using a laser (e.g., YAG laser), use code 66821.

In simple words: This procedure clears up a cloudy film that can form behind the eye's lens after cataract surgery.The doctor uses a tiny knife to make a small opening in the film, improving vision.

This code represents a surgical procedure to address secondary membranous cataracts, a condition that can occur after cataract surgery.The procedure involves making a small incision in the opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid using a specialized instrument like a Ziegler or Wheeler knife. This helps to clear the visual axis by removing the haziness caused by the thickened capsule.

Example 1: A patient experiences blurred vision months after cataract surgery due to posterior capsule opacification.Code 66820 is used when the surgeon opts for a stab incision technique to address this., A patient with a secondary membranous cataract chooses the stab incision method over laser surgery. The ophthalmologist uses a Ziegler knife to perform the discission. 66820 is the appropriate code., During a follow-up visit after cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist determines that the patient's anterior hyaloid is opacified and impacting vision. They perform a discission using a Wheeler knife. Code 66820 is applied.

Documentation should include details of the procedure, the instrument used (Ziegler or Wheeler knife), the condition of the posterior capsule and/or anterior hyaloid, and any associated diagnoses such as secondary membranous cataract.Pre- and post-operative visual acuity measurements are also helpful.

  • Revenue Code: P4E (EYE PROCEDURE - OTHER)
  • Specialties:Ophthalmology
  • Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Office, Outpatient Hospital
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