Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Practice Test

For which situation might the code 66987 be applied?

1. Removal of a complicated cataract

2. Insertion of an accommodating IOL

3. Removal of a cataract with a secondary procedure

4. Closed-angle glaucoma treatment

The correct answer is: Removal of a cataract with a secondary procedure

The code 66987 is specifically utilized for the removal of a cataract when accompanied by a secondary procedure. This scenario often involves complex cases where additional surgical interventions are necessary following the cataract extraction. The need for a secondary procedure could arise due to the presence of complications or an additional surgical technique required to enhance the patient's outcome. In the context of cataract surgery, a secondary procedure might include steps such as lens placement adjustments or treatments addressing complications associated with cataracts. Utilizing the 66987 code accurately reflects the complexity of the surgery and the necessity for this additional intervention, differentiating it from a standard cataract removal procedure, which would be coded differently. In contrast, other choices do not apply because they involve different procedural contexts. The removal of a complicated cataract alone would typically use a different code, while the insertion of an accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) is associated with a separate coding scenario. The treatment for closed-angle glaucoma does not relate to cataract removal and thus would be documented using entirely different coding conventions. Using 66987 correctly identifies the situation where a cataract removal is not a straightforward procedure but rather part of a more complex surgical plan.