Does 66988 require prior authorization?

No, 66988 does not require prior authorization (high confidence). Code is covered without prior authorization.

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for 66988?

Medicare facility rate: N/A. Non-facility rate: N/A. Work RVU: 0.00.

HCPCS/CPT

No Prior Auth Required

Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)

Work RVU

0.00

Facility

N/A

Non-Facility

N/A

The medical record must document relevant medical history, physical exam, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests or procedures sufficient to support medical necessity for the cataract extraction.
For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the referring/ordering physician's name and NPI must be reported on the claim.
When cataract extraction is performed to visualize the fundus, the record must identify the posterior segment disease and describe why visualization is necessary.
If cataract extraction is performed because of anisometropia, the record must document that aniseikonia is visually significant (patient subjective complaints) and must record refractive error measurements in both eyes after the first cataract surgery.

Cataract extraction is covered when necessary to provide an unimpeded view of the fundus to allow proper management of posterior segment disease, with the cataract diagnosis billed as primary and the posterior segment disease as secondary.
Cataract extraction is covered for anisometropia when there is significant aniseikonia secondary to a prior cataract extraction with IOL implant and the aniseikonia is visually significant to the patient.
Complex cataract extraction (CPT 66982 and 66987) is covered when the procedure requires devices or techniques not generally used in routine cataract surgery (e.g., capsular support devices, permanent intraocular sutures, extensive iris maneuvers, prosthetic iris placement, primary posterior capsulorhexis, treatment of phacolytic glaucoma, or other extraordinary operative/postoperative work).
Cataract extraction is covered when the physician performing the preoperative ophthalmologic evaluation lists cataract as the primary diagnosis (ICD-10-CM codes per LCD L35091).
Preoperative evaluation and management (E/M) services are covered when the evaluating clinician documents cataract as the primary or secondary diagnosis when medically necessary.
Complex cataract extraction is covered when the procedure requires insertion of iris retractors through additional incisions to maintain or improve exposure.

L39905 — Cataract Surgery

J05

A59805 — Billing and Coding: Cataract Surgery

J05

A56544 — Billing and Coding: Cataract Extraction

J06

L33558 — Cataract Extraction

J06

L38926 — Cataract Extraction (including Complex Cataract Surgery)

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