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ICD-10 Coding for Cataract Surgery(H25.01, H25.02)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Cataract Surgery. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Lens Replacement SurgeryPhacoemulsification

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Cataract Surgery

H25-H28Primary Range

Disorders of lens

This range includes all cataract-related diagnoses, including age-related and other types of cataracts.

Presence of intraocular lens

Used to indicate the presence of an intraocular lens post-surgery.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
H25.01Age-related nuclear cataract, right eyeUse when cataract is age-related and affects the right eye, confirmed by clinical examination.
  • Slit-lamp examination showing nuclear sclerosis
  • Patient reports glare and difficulty with night driving
H25.02Age-related nuclear cataract, left eyeUse when cataract is age-related and affects the left eye, confirmed by clinical examination.
  • Slit-lamp examination showing nuclear sclerosis
  • Patient reports glare and difficulty with night driving

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for cataract surgery

Essential facts and insights about Cataract Surgery

The ICD-10 code for cataract surgery varies by type and laterality, such as H25.01 for age-related nuclear cataract in the right eye.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for cataract surgery

Age-related nuclear cataract, right eye
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of nuclear sclerosis and patient-reported visual impairment

Applicable To

  • Nuclear sclerosis

Excludes

  • Congenital cataract (Q12.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Slit-lamp examination showing nuclear sclerosis
  • Patient reports glare and difficulty with night driving

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure laterality is documented and coded correctly.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation supports the specific type and laterality of the cataract.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Presence of intraocular lens

Z96.1
Use post-surgery to indicate the presence of an intraocular lens.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Unspecified cataract

H26.9
Use H26.9 when the type of cataract is not specified or documented.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Cataract Surgery to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code H25.01.

Impact

Clinical: Impacts treatment planning and outcomes., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify right or left eye in documentation., Use templates that prompt for laterality.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to claim denials or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Impacts the accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure the specific type of cataract is coded when documented in the medical record.

Impact

Failure to document specific cataract type can lead to audit issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Use detailed templates and ensure thorough clinical documentation.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Cataract Surgery, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Cataract Surgery

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Cataract Surgery. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Standard Cataract Surgery

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Required Elements

  • Patient symptoms and visual acuity
  • Type and laterality of cataract
  • Surgical procedure details
  • Post-operative care instructions

Example Documentation

Patient presents with decreased vision in the right eye. BCVA is 20/60. Nuclear sclerosis noted. Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation performed.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Cataract surgery performed.
Good Documentation Example
Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation performed for nuclear cataract OD. BCVA pre-op 20/60, post-op 20/20.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the procedure and outcomes.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Cataract Surgery? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

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