How to Code

The appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)⁽¹⁾ Code for the TearLab Osmolarity Test is 83861. When testing either one or two eyes, submit billing codes as follows:

First eye tested:

83861

Description: Microfluidic analysis utilizing an integrated collection and analysis device, tear osmolarity

Second eye tested on same day of service:

• Adhere to the policy as recommended by your carrier or billing specialist
• The AMA CPT recommends reporting 83861 twice, using the "-59" modifier for the second eye tested to indicate that it is a "Distinct Procedural Service"
• Payers may recommend using the LT and RT modifiers

⁽¹⁾ CPT is a copyright and registered trademark of the American Medical Association (AMA). Please consult with current CPT Manual for full descriptors and instructions regarding the use of these codes.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is current as of February 2011 and was obtained from third-party sources and is subject to change without notice as a result of changes in reimbursement laws, regulations, rules, policies, and payment amounts. All content on this website is informational only, general in nature, and does not cover all situations or all payers' rules and policies. This content is not intended to instruct hospitals and/or physicians on how to use or bill for healthcare procedures, including new technologies outside of Medicare national guidelines. A determination of medical necessity is a prerequisite that TearLab Corporation assumes will have been made prior to assigning codes or requesting payments.

Under Federal and State law, it is the individual provider's responsibility to determine appropriate coding, charges and claims for a particular service. Policies regarding appropriate coding and payment levels can vary greatly from payer to payer and change over time. TearLab Corporation recommends that providers contact their own regional payers to determine appropriate coding and charge or payment levels.

If you are a provider participating in a clinical trial, we recommend you contact your payers, including Medicare/Medicaid and private insurers, to verify correct coverage and reimbursement policies for investigational devices.

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