Breaking News from the ASCRS Meeting in Washington DC

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Keeping Eye Care Where It Belongs

Helpful steps to steer patients away from ERs and urgent care centers and into OD practices.

Sulman Hans, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl ABO

Modern Optometry

If you have ever heard a patient say they went to the ER but were told to follow up with an eye doctor, you are not alone. ERs and urgent care centers routinely receive eye complaints that could easily—and more appropriately—be handled in an optometrist’s chair. On average, more than 25% of patients referred to eye care providers from an ER have nonurgent conditions.1,2 Additionally, although a large portion of emergency physicians have access to basic ophthalmic equipment, most are often not comfortable using that equipment, performing an eye examination, or making vision- or life-saving diagnoses.3 This trend not only contributes to unnecessary health care spending but also causes delays in necessary care, putting patients at risk. Following are some strategic steps optometrists can take to steer patients away from ERs and toward optometry practices when they experience an ocular emergency. STEP NO. 1: EDUCATE PATIENTS ON WHEN TO SEE AN OD FIRST Most people do not understand the full scope of optometry. As a result, even nonurgent symptoms such as conjunctivitis and dry eye flareups send people to the ER. It is our job to educate patients before they face a crisis. Simple strategies include the following: In-office education. Use brochures and signage to inform patients about common eye emergencies and why optometrists are best suited to handle them.

10 Essential Steps for Accurate Retina Surgery Coding

Keeping these in mind, practices can reduce errors, prevent denials, and maintain accurate billing.

Joy Woodke, COE, OCS, OCSR, and Matthew Baugh, MHA, COT, OCS, OCSR

Retina Today

Ensuring proper reimbursement for ophthalmic surgery demands more than simply selecting a CPT code—it requires a structured, methodical approach to coding. A consistent review process helps safeguard against denials, clarify complex billing combinations, and accurately reflect what occurred in the OR. The following example shows how to apply 10 necessary steps for successful surgical coding (Figure). Figure. Following these 10 steps can help surgeons code carefully and enjoy proper reimbursement. OPERATIVE SUMMARY The operative note describes a patient who underwent a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to address a dislocated posterior chamber IOL in the left eye. The IOL was split into two fragments, and during surgery, each piece was carefully elevated, cut, and removed through a clear corneal incision under the protection of viscoelastic. After clearing the posterior segment, the surgeon placed a new posterior chamber IOL. A peripheral iridotomy was created to remove residual viscoelastic, and subconjunctival injections of dexamethasone and cefazolin were administered. Step 1: Identify All Possible CPT Codes and Read Full Descriptors Using the documentation in the operative report, identify every CPT code that could apply to the documented procedures.