Does 66174 require prior authorization?

No, 66174 does not require prior authorization (high confidence). Code is covered without prior authorization.

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for 66174?

Medicare facility rate: $540.43. Non-facility rate: $540.43. Work RVU: 7.43.

Verity

`66174`

HCPCS/CPT

Prior Authorization

No Prior Auth Required

Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)

Medicare Pricing

Work RVU

7.43

Facility

$540.43

Non-Facility

$540.43

Documentation Required

Diagnosis and patient age consistent with the covered indication (e.g., pediatric glaucoma for patients <= 18 years; adult OAG with cataract for adults >= 19 years when the procedure is to be performed in combination with cataract surgery). Clinical evidence of glaucoma consistent with definitions used in the policy: evidence of optic nerve damage (optic disc or RNFL structural abnormalities) and/or reliable and reproducible visual field abnormality (standard automated perimetry), as applicable. Severity staging documentation as appropriate (mild, moderate, severe, indeterminate) based on optic disc/RNFL/imaging and SAP visual field results. Documentation that the adult patient has both visually significant cataract and mild to moderate OAG and is 'currently being treated with ocular hypotensive medication' when seeking coverage for the indicated combined procedures (e.g., iStent, Hydrus, ab interno canaloplasty, combined canaloplasty + trabeculotomy). For glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs): documentation that medical and/or prior surgical treatments have failed or are inappropriate (clinical rationale and prior treatment records), consistent with 'refractory glaucoma' indication. Preoperative clinical data such as baseline IOP measurements (e.g., Goldmann applanation tonometry), glaucoma medication regimen, gonioscopy findings, and relevant ocular imaging (OCT RNFL, optic disc photos) to support the diagnosis and necessity of the procedure. Operative note and device details (device type/model, approach — ab interno vs ab externo, concomitant cataract extraction if applicable) and postoperative follow-up documentation (IOP, medications, complications). Documentation that patient is an adult (age 19 years or more) when applicable (explicit age criterion stated for certain procedures) Evidence that the procedure will be performed in combination with cataract surgery when required by the covered indication (e.g., for goniotomy/trabeculotomy/canaloplasty coverage when combined with cataract surgery) Clinical documentation of diagnosis: mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and concurrent cataract when coverage is sought under the combined-procedure indication Documentation that the patient is 'currently being treated with ocular hypotensive medication' when required by the covered indication For glaucoma drainage devices, documentation that glaucoma is 'refractory' and that 'medical and conventional surgical treatments have failed' or are inappropriate Because the policy directs checking member-specific benefit documents, include evidence of plan applicability (member-specific benefit plan) — i.e., confirmation that the member's plan allows the service

Key Coverage Criteria

Goniotomy or trabeculotomy for pediatric glaucoma (age 18 years or less) Goniotomy, trabeculotomy, canaloplasty (ab interno), or combined canaloplasty (ab interno) and trabeculotomy (e.g., OMNI® Surgical System, Streamline Surgical System) for adults (age 19 years or more) when used in combination with cataract surgery for treating mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and cataract in adults currently being treated with ocular hypotensive medication iStent®, iStent inject®, or Hydrus® Micro [...]
Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) — viscocanalostomy/combined viscocanalostomy and trabeculotomy were studied in pediatric PCG (Qian 2017; Cochrane review includes trials comparing viscocanalostomy).
Use as a MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery) option for earlier-stage glaucoma where bleb-related complications are a concern — e.g., statement: "Canaloplasty will likely be used most often in earlier stages of glaucoma...may also be indicated in patients who may not need IOP-lowering to the degree that is achievable with trabeculectomy."
Procedures / devices discussed (clinical contexts in which they were studied): viscocanalostomy, phacoviscocanalostomy, canaloplasty (including iTrack/Glaucolight microcatheter approaches), canaloplasty with Stegmann Canal Expander, ab interno canaloplasty (ABiC), OMNI Surgical System (360° canaloplasty + 180° trabeculotomy), Visco360, iStent, Trabectome, GATT combined with ABiC.
Combined gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) with Ab interno canaloplasty (ABiC) in conjunction with phacoemulsification for the treatment of patients with POAG
Use of the combined procedure to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) and reduce the number of anti-glaucoma medications in POAG patients (as reported by the cited 12-month study)

6 Active Policies

AETNA-CPB-0435 — Viscocanalostomy and Canaloplasty

UHC-POL-glaucoma-surgical-treatments — Glaucoma Surgical Treatments

UMR-POL-UMR-glaucoma-surgical-treatments — Glaucoma Surgical Treatments

SUREST-POL-SUREST-glaucoma-surgical-treatments — Glaucoma Surgical Treatments

CIGNA-0035 — Glaucoma Surgical Procedures - (0035)

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66174