Cataract Surgery Co-Management

Cataract surgery is a common out-patient surgical procedure and complications at some level are common.

• Most complications are simply the result of inflammation from tissue manipulation and are minimal problems
• Postoperative corneal edema is one of the more common complications of cataract surgery and it is usually mild, transient and has little-to-no impact on vision

Case Report

• A 67-year-old black man presents to the office three weeks following a reported uneventful cataract surgery on the right eye
• The patient reported moderate ocular discomfort in the right eye
• The patient had already seen the operating surgeon on the one-day and one-week postoperative visit and was returning to me for my portion of the global postoperative period

General Signs and Symptoms Patient May Present at One-Day Followup

• Reduced visual acuity
• Residual dilation
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage
• Significant corneal edema
• Cells and flare in the anterior chamber
• Floaters
• Corneal keratitis and/or abrasion
• Elevated intraocular pressure

In addition, patients may also experience:

• Reduced vision
• Foreign body sensation
• Flashes and floaters
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Itching
• Burning
• Tearing
• Light sensitivity
• Grittiness

Conclusion

Co-managing optometrists must be familiar with the common complications of cataract surgery and how to properly diagnose and treat them.

History of Present Illness

• Associated Signs and Symptoms: decreased or “foggy” vision
• Location: vision is worse in the right eye 
• Duration: since cataract surgery one week prior
• Quality: n/a
• Context: vision was poor immediately after surgery and has not improved
• Severity: mild
• Timing: stable
• Modifiers: none

Review of Systems

The patients medical history was unremarkable.  He was using all his postoperative medications in his right eye as prescribed:

• Omnipred t.i.d.
• Nevanac t.i.d. 
• Moxeza t.i.d.
  

Past, Family and Social History

Non-contributory.

Uncorrected Distance Visual Acuity

• 20/30 in the right eye
• 20/25 in the left eye

Normal Examination Findings

• Mental status
• General medical observation
• Pupils
• Adnexal examination
• Ophthalmoscopy 

Not Performed on Today’s Examination

• Basic sensorimotor examination
• Gross visual fields
• External examination

Intraocular Pressure Measurements

• 16 mm Hg in the right eye
• 14 mm Hg in the left eye

External Ocular Examination with Biomicroscopy

• Focal area of edema in the corneal periphery
• Edematous area is characterized by a loss of stromal transparency 
• Obvious thickening of the cornea highlighted by fluorescein staining
• Epithelial blisters and corneal bullae are present in the center of the lesion
• Loss of corneal luster over the area of corneal edema

		Clinical Appearance of the Cornea Bullous keratopathy is a clinical sign of epithelial edema and is caused by damage to the corneal endothelium Mechanical cell damage reduces the ability of the endothelium to maintain normal stromal hydration Clinically significant stromal edema results in a loss of stromal transparency Epithelial edema occurs in severe and/or prolonged corneal edema
		Clinical Appearance of the Cornea Epithelial bullae and blisters are visible with direct slit-lamp illumination and demonstrate negative staining with fluorescein Blisters and corneal bullae develop when excess fluid accumulates between the basal cells of the corneal epithelium
		Clinical Appearance of the Cornea Epithelial edema may worsen overnight in a closed-eye condition The closed eye condition creates a hypertonic environment on the ocular surface and also results in decreased tear evaporation – both of these worsen corneal edema Corneal edema symptoms usually worse upon awakening
		Clinical Appearance of the Cornea Mild epithelial edema can cause discomfort and ocular pain Mechanical trauma to the endothelium during cataract surgery is the most significant factor in postoperative edema Most periods of postoperative corneal edema resolve over time
		Clinical Appearance of the Cornea Epithelial bullae and blisters are highlighted with negative fluorescein staining at 40x magnification Microcystic epithelial edema is seen in the peripheral zone of the lesion Ruptured corneal bullae can cause moderate-to-severe ocular pain

Clinical Diagnosis

The clinical diagnosis is a determination based on the knowledge obtained from the patient’s medical history and from the results of the eye examination alone, without the benefit of diagnostic tests or procedures.

The patient’s clinical diagnosis is postoperative corneal edema secondary to cataract surgery based on the following clinical findings:

• Recent history of cataract surgery in the right eye
• Unexpected decreased visual acuity in right eye
• Ocular discomfort in the right eye
• Presence of bullous keratopathy on the right cornea 

Treatment Plan

To gather the information required to properly counsel a patient regarding postoperative corneal edema, a diagnostic and treatment program is initiated.

• Determination of different types of diagnoses
• Selection of one or more treatment options

The diagnosis of postoperative corneal edema following cataract surgery with reduction in functional vision is relatively straightforward.  There are multiple potential etiologies for chronic postoperative corneal edema.  These include:

1.  Primary,excessive inflammatory response to the surgery

2.  Elevated postoperative intraocular pressure

3.  Pre-existing corneal endothelial disease

• Fuchs’ endothelial dystrtophy
• Corneal guttata
• Abnormal rate of polymegethism
• Presence of pleomorphism
• Abnormal reduction in endothelial cell density

4.  Iatrogenic corneal endotheliopathy

• Direct surgical trauma
• Endothelium touched by instruments
• Endothelium touched by IOL
• Physical damage from irrigating solutions
• Physical damage from ultrasound vibrations

5.  Toxic syndromes

6.  Intraocular lens syndrome

7.  Inflammation from retained lens fragments

8.  Detachment of Descemet’s membrane

9.  Chemical injury from improperly prepared or expired solutions or from compounds retained on instrumentation
Risk factors for iatrogenic corneal endotheliopathy include preexisting endothelial disease, diabetes, glaucoma, shallow anterior chamber, and previous intraocular surgery.  Every effort should be made to determine an exact etiology as treatment options will vary depending upon the cause.  If a doctor other than the surgeon is performing the postoperative evaluation, the surgeon should communicate any peri-operative complications that could result in chronic postoperative corneal edema.

Ordering Diagnostic Tests

The following diagnostic tests can help determine the degree of functional vision limitation that is related to postoperative corneal edema and provide information necessary to properly develop a treatment plan and counsel the patient.

• Refraction
• Specular endothelial microscopy
• Corneal topography
• Corneal pachymetry

The decision to order and perform additional testing is totally based on the concept of medical necessity which can only be determined by the examining optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Refraction

• Measuring visual acuity is a method of evaluating functional vision loss
• Corneal edema can produce a loss of visual acuity as well as loss of quality of vision
• Mild stromal edema does not usually cause severe visual loss
• Focal areas of stromal edema located in the corneal periphery do not usually cause severe vision loss
• No improvement in vision could be obtained after subjective refraction

In many cases, the clinical appearance of the cornea is enough evidence to explain the decreased vision.  In these cases, a subjective refraction is unnecessary.  Pinhole testing or an automated refractor reading can help make this decision.

Specular Microscopy

Specular microscopy can both confirm the nature of the edema and quantify the degree of endothelial damage.  When compared to the non-operated eye, it can also be helpful in confirming whether the cornea was likely at risk or not (although this is likely to be known from a comprehensive preoperative evaluation).

Postoperative Specular Microscopy Normal endothelial cell density in both eyes Normal rate of polymegethism in both eyes No pleomorphism in either eye Normal endothelial cell density in both eyes Mild asymmetry in corneal thickness

Corneal Topography

Computerized corneal topography is an examination technique that allows you to analyze the physical features and shape of the anterior cornea.  It combines the traditional principle of keratoscopy with the data analysis that is available from modern computers.  Important functions of corneal topography include the following:

• Earlier and more accurate diagnosis of corneal disease
• Assist the doctor in determining the appropriate treatment plan
• Preoperative surgical risk assessment
• Postoperative surgical management  

Postoperative Corneal Topography Normal shape of the anterior corneal surface in both eyes

All of the diagnostic test results produced confirmed the clinical diagnosis of corneal edema.  Because the patient had no evidence of corneal edema prior to the surgery, the induced edema would be classified as secondary corneal edema.

Based on the patient history, the nature of the presenting problem, and my own clinical judgement this patient did not need an evaluation of the complete visual system. 

• Perform the postoperative examination that is medically necessary
• Provide the diagnostic tests or services that are medically necessary
• Properly document the services provided
• Code from the documentation
• Report the services to the payor

Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction

Effective January 1, 2013, there is a small reduction in payment from Medicare if certain multiple procedures are billed on the same day.  The fee for the technical component of the diagnostic test for the second and subsequent tests will be reduced by 20%.  The second diagnostic test and subsequent tests should be reported with a -51 modifier.  Professional services such as gonioscopy, extended ophthalmoscopy and provocative glaucoma testing are excluded from this policy.  Visual evoked potential testing is excluded from this policy.

Modifier 51

This modifier is used to identify the secondary procedure or when multiple procedures are performed on the same day by the same provider.  List the major primary procedure first and append the modifier to the subsequent procedure.  The primary procedure is the one with the highest dollar value.

Modifier 55

This modifier is used when another eye doctor co-manages the patient during the global postoperative period. 

Site Modifiers

Use RT for the right eye and LT for the left eye.

CATARACT SURGERY CO-MANAGEMENT — FIRST EYE

POSTOPERATIVE EYEGLASSES — FIRST EYE

CATARACT SURGERY CO-MANAGEMENT — SECOND EYE

POSTOPERATIVE EYEGLASSES — SECOND EYE

Medical Necessity

For patients who are pseudophakic single vision lenses, bifocal lenses, or trifocal lenses in frames are a covered benefit.  Because coverage of refractive lenses is based upon the Prosthetic Device benefit category, there is no coverage for frames or lens add-on codes unless there is a covered lens(es).  Frames provided without a covered lens(es) will be denied as noncovered. 

After each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens (ICD-9 V43.1), coverage is limited to one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses.  Replacement frames, eyeglass lenses and contact lenses are noncovered.  If a beneficiary has a cataract extraction with IOL insertion in one eye, subsequently has a cataract extraction with IOL insertion in the other eye, and does not receive eyeglasses or contact lenses between the two surgical procedures, Medicare covers only one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses after the second surgery.  If a beneficiary has a pair of eyeglasses, has a cataract extraction with IOL insertion, and receives only new lenses but not new frames after the surgery, the benefit would not cover new frames at a later date (unless it follows subsequent cataract extraction in the other eye).

• Tinted lenses (V2745), including photochromatic lenses (V2744), used as sunglasses, which are prescribed in addition to regular prosthetic lenses to a pseudophakic patient, will be denied as noncovered.  
• Scratch resistant coating (V2760), mirror coating (V2761), polarization (V2762), deluxe lens feature (V2702) and progressive lenses (V2781) will be denied as noncovered.
• Use of polycarbonate or similar material (V2784) or high index glass or plastic (V2782, V2783) for indications such as light weight or thinness will be denied as noncovered deluxe feature.
• Specialty occupational multifocal lenses (V2786) will be denied as noncovered.
• Only standard frames (V2020) are covered.  Additional charges for deluxe frames (V2025) will be denied as noncovered.
• Eyeglass cases (V2756) will be denied as noncovered.

Medicare Fee For Providing Eyeglasses After Cataract Surgery

All suppliers of DME-POS, including eyeglasses and contact lenses for postoperative cataract patients, are subject to a fee. If the optometrist/ophthalmologist is enrolled in Medicare (participating or non-participating) they may write prescriptions for their patients, but they are not registered as a supplier of DME-POS.  The patient will not receive a benefit unless the supplier is DME-POS-credentialed.  If the optometrist/ophthalmologist is neither a supplier nor enrolled with Medicare, the patients will not be reimbursed for their eyeglasses or contact lenses based on the doctor’s prescription or those supplied by them. 

In addition, optometrists/ophthalmologists are exempt from the surety bond requirement as long as they do not fill prescriptions from outside the practice.  If a new patient appears with an outside prescription from a different doctor, it is recommended to create a new record for the patient in your practice, complete with demographic information, performing visual acuities, and possibly an automated refraction.

Documentation Requirements

• An order for the lens(es) and related features must be signed and dated by the treating physician [optometrist], kept on file by the supplier, and made available upon request.  
• If the ordering doctor is also the supplier, the prescription is an integral part of the patient’s record.  
• The ICD-9 code that justifies the need for these items must be included on the claim.

Coding Guidelines

Deluxe lens features (V2702) include services and features such as lens edge treatments and lens drilling.

Photocromatic lenses (V2744) are those in which the degree of tint changes in response to changes in ambient light. Code V2744 is used for any type of photochromatic lens, wither glass or plastic.

Code V2745 is used for any type or color of lens tint, excluding photochromatic lenses.

Code V2755 must be used only if a UV coating is applied to a lens and not as an add-on code for the UV protection inherent in the lens material.

Anti-relective coating (V2750) is a clear lens treatment used to decrease glare and internal/external reflections.

Mirror coatings (V2761) are colored, highly reflective lens treatments.

Progressive lens (V2781) is a multifocal lens that gradually changes in lens power from the top to the bottom of the lens, eliminating the line(s) that would otherwise be seen in a bifocal or trifocal lens.

Code V2784 is an add-on used for lenses made of impact-resistant material such as polycarbonate or Trivex.  Codes V2782 and V2783 (high index) must not be billed in addition to code V2784.

Codes V2100 – V2114, V2199 – V2214, V2399 – V2499, V2700, and V2770 describe specific eyeglass lenses.  Only one of these codes may be billed for each lens provided.  These codes include both aspheric and nonaspheric lenses.

Codes V2115, V2118, V2121, V2215, V2218 – V2221, V2315, V2318 – V2321, V2710 – V2760, and V2780 – 2797 describe add-on features of lenses.  They are billed in addition to codes for the basic lens.

When billing claims for deluxe frames, use code V2020 for the cost of standard frames and a second line item using code V2025 for the difference between the charges for the deluxe frames and the standard frames.

When billing claims for progressive lens, use the appropriate code for the standard bifocal (V2200 – V2299) or trifocal (V2300 – 2399) lens and a second line item using code V2781 for the difference between the charge for the progressive lens and the standard lens.

The RT and LT modifiers must be used with all HCPCS codes in this policy except codes V2020, V2025 and V2600. When lenses are provided bilaterally and the same code is used for both lenses, bill both on the same claim line using the LTRT modifier and 2 units of service.

Proof of Delivery

Proof of delivery (POD) is a Supplier Standard and when eyeglasses supplied after cataract surgery, suppliers are required to maintain POD documentation in their files.  For medical review purposes, POD serves to assist in determining correct coding and billing information for claims submitted for Medicare reimbursement.  Regardless of the method of delivery, the contractor must be able to determine from delivery documentation that the supplier properly coded the item(s), that the item(s) delivered are the same item(s) submitted for Medicare reimbursement and that the item(s) are intended for, and received by, a specific Medicare beneficiary.

Suppliers, their employees, or anyone else having a financial interest in the delivery of the item are prohibited from signing and accepting an item on behalf of a beneficiary (i.e., acting as a designee on behalf of the beneficiary). The signature and date the beneficiary or designee accepted delivery must be legible.

For the purpose of the delivery methods noted below, designee is defined as any person who can sign and accept the delivery of DMEPOS on behalf of the beneficiary.

Proof of delivery documentation must be available to the Medicare contractor on request.  All services that do not have appropriate proof of delivery from the supplier will be denied and overpayments will be requested.  Suppliers who consistently fail to provide documentation to support their services may be referred to the OIG for imposition of Civil Monetary Penalties or other administrative sanctions. 

Suppliers are required to maintain POD documentation in their files.  For items addressed in this policy there are three methods of delivery:

1.  Delivery directly to the beneficiary or authorized representative
2.  Delivery via shipping or delivery service
3.  Delivery of items to a nursing facility on behalf of the beneficiary

Method 1 — Direct Delivery to the Beneficiary by the Supplier

Suppliers may deliver directly to the beneficiary or the designee.  In this case, POD to a beneficiary must be a signed and dated delivery slip.  The POD record must include:

• Delivery address
• Sufficiently detailed description to identify the item(s) being delivered (e.g., brand name, serial number, narrative description)
• Quantity delivered
• Date delivered
• Beneficiary (or designee) signature and date of signature

The date of signature on the delivery slip must be the date that the DMEPOS item was received by the beneficiary or designee.  In instances where the item is delivered directly by the supplier, the date the beneficiary received the DMEPOS item must be the date of service on the claim.

Method 2 — Delivery via Shipping or Delivery Service Directly to a Beneficiary

If the supplier utilizes a shipping service or mail order, the POD documentation must be a complete recored tracking the item(s) from the DMEPOS supplier to the beneficiary.  An example of acceptable proof of delivery would include both the supplier’s own detailed shipping invoice and the delivery service’s tracking information.  The supplier’s record must be linked to the delivery service recored by some clear method like the delivery service’s package identification number or supplier’s invoice number for the package sent to the beneficiary.  The POD record must include:

• Beneficiary’s name
• Delivery address
• Delivery service’s package identification number, supplier invoice number or alternative method that links the supplier’s delivery documents with the delivery service’s records.
• Sufficiently detailed description to identify the item(s) being delivered (e.g., brand name, serial number, narrative description)
• Quantity delivered
• Date delivered
• Evidence of delivery

If a supplier utilizes a shipping service or mail order, suppliers must use the shipping date as the date of service on the claim.

Suppliers may also utilize a return postage-paid delivery invoice from the beneficiary or designee as a POD.  This type of POD record must contain the information specified above.

Method 3 — Delivery to Nursing Facility on Behalf of a Beneficiary

When a supplier delivers items directly to a nursing facility, the documentation described for Method 1 (see above) is required.

When a delivery service or mail order is used to deliver the item to a nursing facility, the documentation described for Method 2 (see above) is required.

Regardless the method of delivery, for those beneficiaries that are residents of a nursing facility, information from the nursing facility showing that the item(s) delivered for the beneficiary’s use were actually provided to and used by the beneficiary must be available upon request.