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2025 CPT code 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.

Refer to CPT guidelines for proper coding.

Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances, such as bilateral procedures (50), unusual complexity (22), or unrelated procedures during the postoperative period (79).Appropriate laterality modifiers (RT/LT) should be appended.

Medical necessity for this procedure is established by documenting the visual impairment caused by the cataract and its impact on the patient's daily activities.The documentation should support that the benefits of improved vision outweigh the risks of the surgery.

The ophthalmologist is responsible for the entire surgical process, including pre-operative assessment, anesthesia, cataract removal, IOL insertion, post-operative care, and management of any complications.

IMPORTANT:(For complex extracapsular cataract removal, use 66982) (For extracapsular cataract removal with concomitant endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, use 66988) (For extracapsular cataract removal with concomitant intraocular aqueous drainage device by internal approach, use 66991) (For insertion of ocular telescope prosthesis including removal of crystalline lens, use 0308T) (For insertion of intraocular anterior segment drainage device into the trabecular meshwork without concomitant cataract removal with intraocular lens implant, use 0671T)

In simple words: The surgeon removes the cloudy lens (cataract) from your eye through a small incision, keeping the lens capsule mostly intact.They then insert a new artificial lens to restore clear vision.This is all done in one surgery.

This procedure involves removing a cataract using an extracapsular technique and inserting an intraocular lens prosthesis in a single-stage operation.The cataract removal may be performed manually or mechanically, such as through irrigation and aspiration or phacoemulsification.Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation is not included in this code.

Example 1: A 70-year-old patient presents with decreased vision due to a visually significant cataract in their right eye.Phacoemulsification is used for cataract removal, and a standard monofocal IOL is inserted., A 55-year-old patient with a traumatic cataract in their left eye undergoes extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation.Due to the nature of the injury, the procedure is more complex than a routine cataract surgery., A 65-year-old patient with a mature cataract and mild glaucoma requires cataract surgery.The cataract is removed using manual extracapsular technique with a posterior chamber IOL implanted. Note, since endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation is performed to address the glaucoma, 66988 would be the correct code if this procedure was performed at the same time.

Documentation should include: pre-operative evaluation, type of cataract, surgical technique employed (manual, phacoemulsification), type of IOL inserted, any complications encountered, and post-operative instructions.

  • Revenue Code: P4B - EYE PROCEDURE - CATARACT REMOVAL/LENS INSERTION
  • Global Days: 90 days
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Ophthalmology
  • Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient Department, Office
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