Billing and Coding: Cataract Extraction

The billing and coding information in this article is dependent on the coverage indications, limitations and/or medical necessity described in the related LCD. This article gives guidance for billing, coding, and other guidelines in relation to local coverage policy L39716 Cataract Extraction. General Guidelines for Claims submitted to Part A or Part B MAC: Procedure codes may be subject to National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits or OPPS packaging edits. Refer to NCCI and OPPS requirements prior to billing Medicare. For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the name and NPI of the referring/ordering physician must be reported on the claim. A claim submitted without a valid ICD-10-CM diagnosis code will be returned to the provider as an incomplete claim under Section 1833(e) of the Social Security Act. The diagnosis code(s) must best describe the patient's condition for which the service was performed. For diagnostic tests, report the result of the test if known; otherwise the symptoms prompting the performance of the test should be reported. Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) Modifier Guidelines An ABN may be used for services which are likely to be non-covered, whether for medical necessity or for other reasons. Refer to CMS Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 30, for complete instructions. Effective from April 1, 2010, non-covered services should be billed with modifier –GA, -GX, -GY, or –GZ, as appropriate. The –GA modifier (“Waiver of Liability Statement Issued as Required by Payer Policy”) should be used when physicians, practitioners, or suppliers want to indicate that they anticipate that Medicare will deny a specific service as not reasonable and necessary, and they do have an ABN signed by the beneficiary on file. Modifier GA applies only when services will be denied under reasonable and necessary provisions, sections 1862(a)(1), 1862(a)(9), 1879(e), or 1879(g) of the Social Security Act. Effective April 1, 2010, Part A MAC systems will automatically deny services billed with modifier GA. An ABN, Form CMS-R-131, should be signed by the beneficiary to indicate that he/she accepts responsibility for payment. The -GA modifier may also be used on assigned claims when a patient refuses to sign the ABN and the latter is properly witnessed. For claims submitted to the Part A MAC, occurrence code 32 and the date of the ABN is required. Modifier GX (“Notice of Liability Issued, Voluntary Under Payer Policy”) should be used when the beneficiary has signed an ABN, and a denial is anticipated based on provisions other than medical necessity, such as statutory exclusions of coverage or technical issues. An ABN is not required for these denials, but if non-covered services are reported with modifier GX, will automatically be denied services. The –GZ modifier should be used when physicians, practitioners, or suppliers want to indicate that they expect that Medicare will deny an item or service as not reasonable and necessary and they have not had an ABN signed by the beneficiary. If the service is statutorily non-covered, or without a benefit category, submit the appropriate CPT/HCPCS code with the -GY modifier. An ABN is not required for these denials, and the limitation of liability does not apply for beneficiaries. Services with modifier GY will automatically deny. Documentation Requirements The following documentation must be present in the medical chart: The patient’s medical record should include but is not limited to: The assessment of the patient by the ordering provider as it relates to the complaint of the patient for that visit, Relevant medical history Results of pertinent tests/procedures Signed and dated office visit record/operative report (Please note that all services ordered or rendered to Medicare beneficiaries must be signed.) For Cataract Surgery Patients: The patient's chief complaint which conveys the symptoms, such as blurred vision, reduced contrast sensitivity or complaints of glare which are associated with impaired functionality. A unique statement indicating the specific symptomatic (i.e., causing the patient to seek medical attention) impairment of visual function resulting in the patient's inability to function satisfactorily while performing Activities of Daily Life. Such activities typically include, but are not limited to, reading, viewing television, driving, or meeting vocational or recreational expectations. The patient’s own words should be included in the statement where possible. If desired, completion of a VF-14 or VF-8R visual activities questionnaire (1 for each eye) may be