Local Coverage Determination (LCD)

Panretinal (Scatter) Laser Photocoagulation

L34064

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Proposed LCD
Proposed LCDs are works in progress that are available on the Medicare Coverage Database site for public review. Proposed LCDs are not necessarily a reflection of the current policies or practices of the contractor.

Document Note

Note History

Contractor Information

LCD Information

Document Information

Source LCD ID
N/A
LCD ID
L34064
Original ICD-9 LCD ID
Not Applicable
LCD Title
Panretinal (Scatter) Laser Photocoagulation
Proposed LCD in Comment Period
N/A
Source Proposed LCD
N/A
Original Effective Date
For services performed on or after 10/01/2015
Revision Effective Date
For services performed on or after 04/04/2024
Revision Ending Date
N/A
Retirement Date
N/A
Notice Period Start Date
N/A
Notice Period End Date
N/A
AMA CPT / ADA CDT / AHA NUBC Copyright Statement

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

Current Dental Terminology © 2023 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2023, the American Hospital Association, Chicago, Illinois. Reproduced with permission. No portion of the American Hospital Association (AHA) copyrighted materials contained within this publication may be copied without the express written consent of the AHA. AHA copyrighted materials including the UB‐04 codes and descriptions may not be removed, copied, or utilized within any software, product, service, solution or derivative work without the written consent of the AHA. If an entity wishes to utilize any AHA materials, please contact the AHA at 312‐893‐6816.

Making copies or utilizing the content of the UB‐04 Manual, including the codes and/or descriptions, for internal purposes, resale and/or to be used in any product or publication; creating any modified or derivative work of the UB‐04 Manual and/or codes and descriptions; and/or making any commercial use of UB‐04 Manual or any portion thereof, including the codes and/or descriptions, is only authorized with an express license from the American Hospital Association. The American Hospital Association (the "AHA") has not reviewed, and is not responsible for, the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this material, nor was the AHA or any of its affiliates, involved in the preparation of this material, or the analysis of information provided in the material. The views and/or positions presented in the material do not necessarily represent the views of the AHA. CMS and its products and services are not endorsed by the AHA or any of its affiliates.

Issue

Issue Description

This LCD outlines limited coverage for this service with specific details under Coverage Indications, Limitations and/or Medical Necessity

Issue - Explanation of Change Between Proposed LCD and Final LCD

CMS National Coverage Policy

Language quoted from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals is italicized throughout the policy. NCDs and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals are not subject to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Review Process (42 CFR 405.860[b] and 42 CFR 426 [Subpart D]). In addition, an administrative law judge may not review an NCD. See Section 1869(f)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act.

Unless otherwise specified, italicized text represents quotation from one or more of the following CMS sources:

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA):

Section 1862(a)(1)(A) excludes expenses incurred for items or services which are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.

Section 1833(e) prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim.

Coverage Guidance

Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity

Panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) involves extensive treatment with an argon or diode laser to the peripheral and middle portions of the retina. Photocoagulation is designed to burn and seal unwanted blood vessels, thus preventing hemorrhage. Panretinal laser photocoagulation targets the ablation of ischemic retina which in turn reduces the production of various cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thereby causing regression of neovascularization. Panretinal photocoagulation may also be used to ablate small areas of neovascularization on the retina. The initial treatment usually consists of approximately 1500-2000 spots of laser per eye. This is accomplished in two or more sessions. This local coverage determination (LCD) documents the indications and limitations of coverage for use of panretinal laser photocoagulation.

Indications:

Panretinal laser photocoagulation is indicated for the treatment or management of patients with proliferative or pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and patients with severe levels of diabetic macular edema associated with pre-proliferative retinopathy, and other proliferative retinopathies.

While panretinal laser photocoagulation greatly reduces the risk of visual loss in all states of proliferative retinopathy, treatment is withheld until the risk of visual loss outweighs the risks and side effects of the treatment.

Limitations:

Medicare coverage of panretinal laser photocoagulation using a laser or xenon arc is limited to management of proliferative or pre-proliferative retinopathies.

Panretinal laser photocoagulation is usually performed in two or more sessions (staged surgery). Payment may be made only once during the global period of the initial procedure. Reimbursement for subsequent sessions in the postoperative period of the initial procedure is included in the allowance of the initial procedure.


 Other Comments:

For claims submitted to the Part A MAC: This coverage determination also applies within states outside the primary geographic jurisdiction with facilities that have nominated CGS to process their claims.


Limitation of liability and refund requirements apply when denials are likely, whether based on medical necessity or other coverage reasons. The provider/supplier must notify the beneficiary in writing, prior to rendering the service, if the provider/supplier is aware that the test, item or procedure may not be covered by Medicare. The limitation of liability and refund requirements do not apply when the test, item or procedure is statutorily excluded, has no Medicare benefit category or is rendered for screening purposes.

For outpatient settings other than CORFs, references to "physicians" throughout this policy include non-physicians, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants. Such non-physician practitioners, with certain exceptions, may certify, order and establish the plan of care as authorized by State law. (See Sections 1861[s][2] and 1862[a][14] of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; 42 CFR, Sections 410.74, 410.75, 410.76 and 419.22; 58 FR 18543, April 7, 2000.) However, reimbursement will not be allowed to non-physician practitioners for performance of the procedure addressed in this policy.

Summary of Evidence

N/A

Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination)

N/A

Proposed Process Information

Synopsis of Changes
Changes Fields Changed
N/A
Associated Information
Sources of Information
Bibliography
Open Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
N/A
Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
N/A
MAC Meeting Information URLs
N/A
Proposed LCD Posting Date
Comment Period Start Date
Comment Period End Date
Reason for Proposed LCD
Requestor Information
This request was MAC initiated.
Requestor Name Requestor Letter
View Letter
N/A
Contact for Comments on Proposed LCD

Coding Information

Bill Type Codes

Code Description
N/A

Revenue Codes

Code Description
N/A

CPT/HCPCS Codes

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

N/A

Group 1 Codes:

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

N/A

Group 1 Codes:

N/A

N/A

Additional ICD-10 Information

General Information

Associated Information

The patient's medical record must contain documentation that fully supports the medical necessity for services included within this LCD. (See "Indications and Limitations of Coverage.") This documentation includes, but is not limited to, relevant medical history, physical examination, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests or procedures.

Not applicable

 

Sources of Information
This bibliography presents those sources that were obtained during the development of this policy. CGS is not responsible for the continuing viability of Web site addresses listed below.

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Diabetic retinopathy, preferred practice pattern. San Francisco; American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2003.

Mohamed Q, Gillies MC, Wong TY. Management of diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review. JAMA. 2007;298(8):902-916.

CGS Administrators, LLC. and other Medicare contractor's local coverage determinations.

Ophthalmology, 2nd ed. Mosby; 2004.
Bibliography

N/A

Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation Reasons for Change
04/04/2024 R14

R14

Revision Effective: 04/04/2024

Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes made were made.

03/29/2024: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
03/02/2023 R13

R13

Revision Effective: 03/02/2023

Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes made were made.

02/24/2023: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
03/03/2022 R12

R12

Revision Effective: 03/03/2022

Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes made were made.

02/23/2022: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
03/04/2021 R11

R11

Revision Effective: 03/04/2021

Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes made were made.

02/24/2021: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
10/03/2019 R10

R10

Revision Effective: n/a

Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes made

02/24/2020: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
10/03/2019 R9

R9

Revision Effective: 10-3-2019

Revision Explanation: Converted to new templates based on CR10901.

09/25/2019: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Revisions Due To Code Removal
10/03/2019 R8

R8

Revision Effective: 10-3-2019

Revision Explanation: All coding was removed from policy based on CR10901. New Billing and Coding article was related to policy and replaced supplemental article that was retired.

02/27/2019: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Revisions Due To Code Removal
10/01/2016 R7

R7

Revision Effective: N/A

Revision Explanation: Annual review no changes made.

02/27/2019: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
10/01/2016 R6

R6
Revision Effective: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual review no changes made.

02/26/2018: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

 

  • Other (Annual Review)
10/01/2016 R5 R5
Revision Effective: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual review no changes made.
  • Other (Annual review)
10/01/2016 R4 R4
Revision Effective: 10/01/2016
Revision Explanation: During annual ICd-10 update E08.321, E08.329, E08.331, E08.339, E08.341, E08.349, E08.351, E08.359, E09.321, E09.329, E09.331, E09.339, E09.341, E09.349, E09.351, E09.359, E10.321, E10.329, E10.331, E10.339, E10.341, E10.349, E10.351, E10.359, E11.321, E11.329, E11.331, E11.339, E11.341, E11.349, E11.351, E11.359, E13.321, E13.329, E13.331, E13.339, E13.341, E13.349, E13.351, E13.359, H34.811-H34.813, H34.831-H34.833 were deleted and replaced with the following codes: E08.3211, E08.3212, E08.3213, E08.3291, E08.3292, E08.3293, E08.3311, E08.3312, E08.3313, E08.3391, E08.3392, E08.3393, E08.3411, E08.3412, E08.3413, E08.3491, E08.3492,
E08.3493, E08.3511, E08.3512, E08.3513, E08.3521, E08.3522, E08.3523, E08.3531, E08.3532, E08.3533, E08.3541, E08.3542, E08.3543, E08.3551, E08.3552, E08.3553,
E08.3591, E08.3592, E08.3593, E08.37X1, E08.37X2, E08.37X3, E09.3211, E09.3212, E09.3213, E09.3291, E09.3292, e09.3293, E09.3311, E09.3312, e09.3313, E09.3391,
E09.3392, E09.3393, E09.3411, E09.3412, E09.3413, E09.3491, E09.3492, E09.3493, E09.3511, E09.3512, E09.3513, E09.3521, E09.3522, E09.3523, E09.3531, E09.3532,
E09.3533, E09.3541, E09.3542, E09.3543, E09.3551, E09.3552, E09.3553, E09.3591, e09.3592, E09.3593, E09.37X1, E09.37X2, E09.37X3, E10.3211, E10.3212, E10.3213,
E10.3291, E10.3292, E10.3293, E10.3311, E10.3312, E10.3313, E10.3391, E10.3392, E10.3393, E10.3411, E10.3412, E10.3413, E10.3491, E10.3492, E10.3493, E10.3511,
E10.3512, e10.3513, E10.3521, E10.3522, E10.3523, E10.3531, E10.3532, E10.3533, E10.3541, E10.3542, E10.3543, E10.3551, E10.3552, E10.3553, E10.3591, E10.3592,
E10.3593, E10.37X1, E10.37X2, E10.37X3, E11.3211, e11.3212, E11.3213, E11.3291, E11.3292, E11.3293, E11.3311, E11.3312, E11.3313, E11.3391, E11.3392, E11.3393, E11.3411, E11.3412, E11.3413, E11.3491, E11.3492, E11.3493, E11.3511, e11.3512, E11.3513, E11.3521, E11.3522, E11.3523, E11.3531, E11.3532, E11.3533, E11.3541, E11.3542, E11.3543, E11.3551, E11.3552, E11.3553, E11.3591, E11.3592, E11.3593, E11.37X1, E11.37X2, E11.37X3, E13.3211, E13.3212, E13.3213, E13.3291, E13.3292, E13.3293, E13.3311, E13.3312, E13.3313, E13.3391, E13.3392, E13.3393, E13.3411, E13.3412, e13.3413, E13.3491, E13.3492, e13.3493, E13.3511, E13.3512, E13.3513, E13.3521, E13.3522, E13.3523, E13.3531, E13.3532, E13.3533, E13.3541, E13.3542, E13.3543, E13.3551, E13.3552, E13.3553, E13.3591, e13.3592, E13.3593, E13.37X1, E13.37X2, E13.37X3, H34.8110, H34.8111, H34.8112, H34.8120, H34.8121, H34.8122, H34.8130, H34.8131, H34.8132, H34.8310, H34.8311, H34.8312, H34.8320, H34.8321, H34.8322, H34.8330, H34.8331, H34.8332
  • Revisions Due To ICD-10-CM Code Changes
01/01/2016 R3 R3
Revision Effective: 01/01/2016
Revision Explanation: Global days for 67228 changed 01/01/2016 from 90 to 10. Updated this information in the associated information section.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
10/01/2015 R2 R2
Revision Effective: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual Review no changes made.
  • Other (Annual Review)
10/01/2015 R1 R1
Revision Effective: 10/01/2015
Revision Explanation: Accepted revenue code description changes.
  • Other (revenue code)
N/A

Associated Documents

Attachments
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Related National Coverage Documents
N/A
Public Versions
Updated On Effective Dates Status
03/29/2024 04/04/2024 - N/A Currently in Effect You are here
02/24/2023 03/02/2023 - 04/03/2024 Superseded View
Some older versions have been archived. Please visit the MCD Archive Site to retrieve them.

Keywords

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