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The CPT® Code 65450 refers to the procedure for the destruction of a lesion on the cornea using various techniques, including cryotherapy, photocoagulation, or thermocauterization. In this context, a lesion is an abnormal area on the cornea, which is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. The procedure begins with the instillation of eye drops to numb the eye, ensuring patient comfort during the intervention. Cryotherapy involves the application of a freezing probe directly to the lesion, where the extreme cold effectively destroys the targeted tissue. Alternatively, photocoagulation utilizes a focused laser beam directed at the cornea, which precisely destroys the lesion through the application of light energy. Lastly, thermocauterization is a method that involves the use of a heat probe that makes contact with the lesion, effectively burning and destroying the abnormal tissue. Each of these techniques is designed to eliminate the lesion while preserving surrounding healthy corneal tissue, thereby maintaining the integrity of the eye's structure and function.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 65450 is indicated for the treatment of various lesions on the cornea. These lesions may include, but are not limited to, the following conditions:
The procedure for the destruction of a corneal lesion using CPT® Code 65450 involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
Following the procedure coded under CPT® 65450, patients may be advised on specific post-procedure care to promote healing and prevent complications. This may include the use of prescribed eye drops to reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of adverse reactions or complications, such as increased pain, redness, or changes in vision. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and ensure that the lesion has been effectively treated. It is important for patients to adhere to any instructions provided by their healthcare provider to facilitate optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | TREATMENT OF CORNEAL LESION | Medium Descr | DSTRJ LESION CRYOTHER PHOTO/THERMOCAUTZATION | Long Descr | Destruction of lesion of cornea by cryotherapy, photocoagulation or thermocauterization | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 19 - Other therapeutic procedures on eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | E1 | Upper left, eyelid | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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