Q: What is the payment policy for an Astigmatism-Correcting Intraocular Lens (A-C-IOL) inserted following removal of a cataract in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center?
CMS: The payment policy for an A-C IOL inserted following removal of a cataract in a hospital or ASC is:
• A physician cannot bill Medicare for the A-C IOL inserted during a cataract procedure performed in those settings because payment for the lens is included in the payment made to the facility for the entire procedure;
• There is no Medicare benefit category that allows payment of physician charges for services and supplies require to insert and adjust an A-C IOL following removal of a cataract that exceed physician charges for services and supplies required for the insertion of a conventional IOL; and
• There is no Medicare benefit category that allows payment of physician charges for subsequent treatments, services and supplies required to examine and monitor a beneficiary following removal of a cataract with insertion of an A-C IOL that exceed the physician charges for services and supplies required to examine and monitor a beneficiary following cataract surgery with insertion of a conventional IOL.
Source: CMS
References: www.cms.hhs.gov/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/MM5527.pdf; http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R1228CP.pdf