Billing and Coding: Cataract Surgery in Adults

Cataract surgery is covered when a patient has symptomatic visual impairment that impairs Activities of Daily Life and objective documentation (best-corrected Snellen VA after careful refraction and lens opacity correlating with impairment) shows cataract is the primary cause. Documentation must include a unique statement of functional impairment, informed consent, a comprehensive preoperative ophthalmologic evaluation, and justification for any non-routine tests or complex surgery (CPT 66982); Medicare includes a conventional IOL and one pair of postoperative glasses or contact lenses as covered benefits.

"Cataract surgery is indicated when the patient has a symptomatic visual impairment (e."

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