Eyeworld

JAN 2013

EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

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January 2013 dations for values to CMS. While CMS has the authority to accept or decline the recommendations (and institute other values at their own discretion), the recommended values are usually accepted. CMS also has the authority to identify any code they believe to be "overvalued" or to review any code that has shown increased utilization above expected levels. In the most recent review, CMS requested an evaluation of both the cataract and complex cataract surgery codes for these reasons. mined that 66984 will be reduced by 13% and 66982 will be reduced by 21%. If you remember, however, we are in the final year of a four-year transition to new practice expense RVUs as a result of a revised methodology, which resulted in an increased payment for ophthalmic codes, including 66984. EW EW NEWS & OPINION Contact information Lane: sslane@associatedeyecare.com Dr. Chang: What type of "survey" is done? What would happen if ASCRS and AAO chose not to participate and perform this survey of members? Dr. Lane: When a code is identified for review, specialty societies have the option of performing a formal survey. This data can be submitted for the RUC review process. Without such actual data, CMS has the authority to determine its own values. For this reason, AAO and ASCRS jointly performed a national membership survey for the purpose of generating data for the RVU determination. Dr. Chang: What new information led to the decrease in the relative "valuation" of the cataract codes? Dr. Lane: Results of this survey documented a reduction in surgical time and in post-op visits from the previous existing survey for these two codes. As a result, CMS deter2013 continued from page 15 Congress, April 20-23, in San Francisco • Complimentary 2013 ASCRS Annual Meeting registration • Four nights complimentary accommodation at a San Francisco hotel • Invitations to select ASCRS leadership and social events The 2013 application period ends on Jan. 31. Applicants can apply online at www.ascrsfoundation.org/resident-excellenceawards.html. EW Only One System Delivers the Shield of PROTECTION. DuoVisc® Viscoelastic System offers both the endothelial protection of chondroitin sulfate in VISCOAT® OVD with the proven mechanical protection and space maintenance found in PROVISC® OVD.1 Contact information Sebrell: csebrell@ascrs.org 1. DuoVisc® OVD Product Insert. © 2013 Novartis 1/13 VIS13003JAD One System. No Compromises. 17

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