Vitrectomy Procedures with Epiretinal Membrane Stripping (October 2008)

October 2008 pages 3-5 Coding Communication: Vitrectomy Procedures with Epiretinal Membrane Stripping Vitrectomy techniques have been available for more than 25 years. As with many procedures, vitrectomy technology has improved, and surgical capabilities have been expanded. Before 2008, the technique for a pars plana approach vitrectomy for epiretinal stripping was reported with CPT code 67038 , Vitrectomy, mechanical, pars plana approach; with epiretinal membrane stripping . In 2005, the American Academy of Ophthalmology surveyed the use of code 67038 and discovered that it was being used to report a family of several different surgical procedures, all involving different physician work and...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This CPT Assistant article explains a set of 2008 ophthalmology coding changes affecting posterior segment surgery, retinopathy treatment, and nasolacrimal duct procedures. It is relevant to ophthalmology coders, surgeons, and coding professionals who need to understand which codes were added, revised, deleted, or linked through parenthetical guidance and add-on reporting rules. The article also covers broader coding communication points from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and clarifies how the changes fit within CPT reporting for eye surgery and related procedures.

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand how ophthalmology procedure reporting changed in 2008 and how those changes affected common surgical workflows and related reporting structure. It matters for accurate CPT assignment, especially where code revisions, add-on services, unilateral versus bilateral reporting, and procedure grouping intersect.

Article Sections

  1. October 2008 pages 3-5

    A brief publication header identifying the issue and page range for the coding communication.

  2. Coding Communication: Vitrectomy Procedures with Epiretinal Membrane Stripping

    An overview of the CPT update and the context for changes to vitreoretinal procedure reporting. This section introduces the broader ophthalmology coding revisions discussed in the article.

  3. Prophylaxis

    Discussion of reporting concepts for procedures that may occur over one or more sessions within a defined treatment period. The section addresses how the related posterior segment codes are framed in the updated guidance.

  4. Coding Tip

    A short guidance section explaining general reporting considerations for treatments spanning multiple encounters. It focuses on the surrounding coding framework rather than a single procedure.

  5. Intraocular Pressure Monitoring

    Coverage of an ophthalmic add-on technology introduced for monitoring during vitrectomy surgery. The section discusses where the related service fits within vitrectomy reporting and parenthetical guidance.

  6. Retinopathy Treatment

    Review of updated retinopathy treatment codes and the distinctions among adult, pediatric, and premature-infant applications. The section also addresses laterality reporting and related parenthetical notes.

  7. Nasolacrimal Duct Balloon Catheter Dilation

    Explanation of a new nasolacrimal duct procedure code and its relationship to earlier probing, irrigation, and tube or stent services. The section also covers reporting notes tied to bilateral procedures and code combinations.

What You Will Learn

  • How the article situates 2008 ophthalmology CPT changes within vitrectomy and posterior segment surgery reporting
  • Which broad procedure categories were revised, added, deleted, or cross-referenced in the update
  • How add-on services and parenthetical notes are organized in the affected ophthalmology codes
  • What general reporting themes apply to retinopathy treatment sessions and bilateral procedures
  • Why a new nasolacrimal duct balloon dilation code was introduced within the CPT framework

Who Should Read This

  • Ophthalmology coders
  • Physician billing staff
  • Retina specialists
  • Ophthalmic surgeons
  • Coding educators and auditors

Codes Discussed

Code Ranges Discussed

Modifiers Discussed


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