Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
15.60
Facility
$939.57
Non-Facility
$939.57
Documentation Required
For diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) / primary intra-ocular lymphoma (PIOL) the policy describes required specimen testing: 'Once a specimen is obtained, cytopathology, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry (IHC), gene re-arrangement studies with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and cytokine analysis can be carried out to confirm the diagnosis of PIOL.'
Diagnostic vitrectomy specimen guidance: 'diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy with acquisition of diluted and un-dilated vitreous fluid ... is preferable' and 'When vitritis is the predominant clinical sign, diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy to obtain both un-diluted and partially diluted vitreous specimens is preferable to aqueous fluid collection or bedside vitreous tap.'
Procedural/technical notes relevant to specimen integrity: 'With small-gauge vitrectomy instruments, the risks of the vitreous biopsy have been decreased significantly.' and 'Low vitrector cut rate (600 cuts/min or less) under air infusion is the preferable technique for diagnostic vitrectomy, to avoid cell damage and globe hypotony. Un-diluted sample is collected for cytopathological evaluation.'
Key Coverage Criteria
Macular hole repair
Proliferative retinopathy
Rapidly progressing infectious endophthalmitis
Vitrectomy associated with B-cell lymphoma / non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving head, face, and neck lymph nodes (ICD-10: C85.11, C85.91)
Vitrectomy for diabetes-related ophthalmic complications (Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with ophthalmic complications; ICD-10: E10.311–E10.39, E11.311–E11.39)
Vitrectomy for retinal detachments and breaks (ICD-10: H33.001–H33.8)
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.
Pre-operative medication consideration for VRL diagnosis: 'Systemic corticosteroid should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before surgery.'
For RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy, referral to separate policy for gene therapy: '(for administration of voretigene neparvovec-rzyl, see CPB 0927 - Voretigene Neparvovec-rzyl (Luxturna))' (implies documentation linking diagnosis to that therapy per CPB 0927)
For vitrectomy face support device: documentation that member 'have undergone vitrectomy surgery, and who are required to maintain a face down position in the post-operative period' (i.e., clinical documentation that face-down positioning is required)