H16.443 — Deep vascularization of cornea, bilateral
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The medical record must document the ordering provider's assessment related to the patient's complaint prompting external ocular photography, including relevant medical history and physical exam findings supporting medical necessity.
- All external ocular photographs must be permanently labeled with the patient's name, date, and notation of which eye is pictured, and copies must be available for Medicare review.
- An interpretation and report specific to the photograph(s), including comparison to prior photographs when available, must be maintained in the medical record and available to the contractor upon request.
- If additional photographs are taken to track changes, written documentation describing those changes must be maintained in the patient's medical record.
Key Coverage Criteria
- External ocular photography is covered when ordered by an authorized/referring provider to document, diagnose, or monitor an ocular condition and when medical record documentation supports medical necessity.
- External ocular photographs are covered to track changes in a patient's ocular condition provided changes are documented in writing and compared to prior photographs when available.
- Technical (TC) and professional (26) components of external ocular photography are payable under Part B when billed with the appropriate modifier and performed in allowable places of service as specified by Medicare.
- Visual field examinations are covered when reasonable and necessary as defined by Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33766.
- Visual field examination is covered for patients with inflammation or disorders of the eyelids that may affect the visual field.
- Visual field examination is covered for patients with a documented diagnosis of glaucoma.
5 Active Policies
A57637 — Billing and Coding: Visual Field Examination
J09
L33766 — Visual Field Examination
J09
AMBETTER-CP.VP.43 — External Ocular Photography
A57068 — Billing and Coding: Ocular Photography - External
L34393 — Ocular Photography - External
Related Codes
Have a follow-up question?
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.