What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma represents a family of disease commonly associated with the optic nerve damage and visual field changes. It is the second leading cause of the irreversible blindness in the US
Glaucoma occurs when increased fluid pressure in the eye presses against the optic nerve, causing damage. The damage to optic nerve fibers can cause blind spots to develop. These blind spots usually go undetected until the optic nerve is significantly damaged. If the entire optic nerve is destroyed, blindness results.
Why Glaucoma screening?
Since the glaucoma progresses with little or no warning signs or symptoms, and vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, it is very important that people at high risk for the disease receive an annual screening. Studies have shown that early detection and treatment of glaucoma, before it causes major vision loss, is the best way to control the disease. The glaucoma screening covered by Medicare includes:
A dilated eye examination with an intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and
A direct opthalmoscopy examination or a slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination.
Who are eligible for glaucoma screening?
Anyone can develop glaucoma; however, some risk factors that may increase an individual’s chances of developing glaucoma include age, race, family history and medical history. Medicare provides an annual screening for beneficiaries in at least one of the following high risk groups:
Individuals with diabetes mellitus
Individuals with a family history of glaucoma
African-American ages 50 or over, and
Hispanic-Americans age 65 or over.
Coding:
Diagnosis is coded with V80.1 and HCPCS are coded with G0117 and G0118
For detailed information on Glaucoma screening refer to http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp
It is a good information from this article about the glaucoma screening.
ReplyDelete