Effective Date:
a) This policy will apply to all services performed on or after the above Revision date which will become the new effective date.
b) For all services referred to in this policy that were performed before the revision date, contact customer service for the rules that would apply.
1) Cataract surgery and insertion of monofocal intra-ocular lenses (IOL) is covered by QualChoice.
2) Other lenses designed to avoid the need for glasses after surgery and used in this surgery are not covered.
3) Insertion of iris prosthesis requires prior authorization.
Medical Policy Statement:
1) Standard fixed monofocal posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOL) are considered medically necessary for use during cataract surgery
2) Accommodating posterior chamber IOLs (e.g., Crystalens, Eyeonics Inc., Aliso Viejo, CA), apodized diffractive optic IOLs (e.g., AcrySof ReSTOR, Alcon, Inc., Fort Worth, TX), ultraviolet absorbing lenses (e.g., AcrySof Natural blue-light filtering IOL, Alcon, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, and C-flex IOL model 570C, Rayner Surgical Inc., Los Angeles, CA), multifocal posterior chamber IOLs, and other new technology lenses (e.g., the Sofport LI61AO aberration-neutral IOL, Bausch & Lomb, San Dimas, CA) are considered noncovered deluxe items.
3) Insertion of iris prosthesis requires prior authorization. It is considered medically necessary for complete absence of iris due to congenital condition or due to eye damage.
Codes Used In This BI:
Q1003 Ntiol category 3 (code deleted 04/01/2011)
Q1004 Ntiol category 4
Q1005 Ntiol category 5
V2630 Anter chamber intraocul lens
V2787 Astigmatism-correct function
V2788 Presbyopia-correct function
0616T Insertion of iris prosthesis without removal/insertion of intraocular lens
0617T Insertion of iris prosthesis with removal/insertion of intraocular lens
0618T Insertion of iris prosthesis with intraocular lens exchange