8 dos and don'ts to improve coding for cataracts
Correct coding for any surgical service provided in an ASC is critical to ensuring proper reimbursement, reducing denials and avoiding potential compliance issues. One could argue that the stakes are even higher when the service is far and away the most frequently provided service in ASCs, with even small errors having potentially large implications on a facility's bottom line.
Such is the case for cataract surgery. According to data from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), in its March 2018 "Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy," cataract surgery (with intraocular lens (IOL) insert, 1 stage) accounted for 18.7% of 2016 surgical volume in ASCs — more than double the next most frequent service.
Follow these eight dos and don'ts to help ensure your ASC consistently receives timely, proper payment for cataract procedures.
