Next year, reimbursement for ophthalmology CPT codes is expected to take a hit and could shape the specialty’s future, according to a Medscape report.
The updates include:
1. Reimbursement cuts for trabeculectomy — next year reimbursement is scheduled to drop 19 percent. In 2017, the reimbursement for trabeculectomy performed in the absence of previous surgery (CPT code 66170) is expected to drop 25 percent; reimbursement for trabeculectomy performed in the presence of previous surgery — CPT code 66172 — is expected to drop 30 percent in 2017.
2. The reimbursement for CPT code 65855 — trabeculoplasty by laser — is expected to drop 35 percent in 2017.
3. Retinal detachment repair with vitrectomy (CPT cod 67108) reimbursement will likely see a 33.6 percent cut.
4. Pneumoretinopexy (CPT code 67110) reimbursement is scheduled for a 19 percent reduction.
5. Retinal detachment repair/scleral buckle (CPT code 67107) reimbursement is expected to drop 16 percent next year.
6. Laser panretinal photocoagulation (CPT code 67228) is scheduled for a 68 percent reimbursement cut next year, but the global period is dropping from 90 days to 10 days so physicians can bill more often for postoperative periods, according to the report.