Reimbursement for Amniotic Membrane Transplantation (Bio-Tissue)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
REIMBURSEMENT FOR AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE TRANSPLANTATION
© Corcoran Consulting Group
For best results, please view in Mozilla Firefox.
Q What is AmnioGraft®?
A AmnioGraft is CryoTek® cryopreserved processed amniotic membrane and is used as either a biologic ocular bandage to assist healing or as an ocular transplantation graft to repair or replace damaged tissue. As a surgical graft, AmnioGraft repopulates with host cells from the surrounding tissue. As a biologic bandage, AmnioGraft acts as a physical barrier against the external environment, and can deliver anti-scarring, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic biologics to the ocular surface. It also supports epithelial adhesion and differentiation, and has anti-adhesive properties to minimize scarring.
Q Which CPT codes are used for amniotic membrane transplantation?
A There are 2 procedure codes:
- 65779 Placement of amniotic membrane on the ocular surface; single layer, sutured
- 65780 Ocular surface reconstruction; amniotic membrane transplantation; multiple layers
CPT further instructs:
Do not report 65778, 65779 in conjunction with 65430, 65435, 65480
For placement of amniotic membrane using tissue glue, use 66999.
A third code, 65426 (Excision or transposition of pterygium; with graft), may also apply to surgery using AmnioGraft, but the tissue graft is not separately identified or billed since it is the graft. Note: The code for pterygium doesn’t change if tissue glue is used since 65426 doesn’t specify how the graft is attached.
Q Does Medicare cover procedures using amniotic membrane tissue?
A Yes, when medically necessary.
Q What are the indications for AmnioGraft?
A The use of amniotic tissue for assistance with wound healing has been advocated for over 65 years. Amniotic membrane tissue is indicated for the management of ocular wounds. The allograft maintains a moist environment which helps provide a physiologically favorable milieu for ocular wound management such as in the reduction of inflammation and scarring, and in reducing abnormal blood vessel growth. Amniotic membrane transplantation has proven beneficial where frequent topical lubrication has failed and as an alternative to tarsorrhaphy, punctal occlusion, tissue adhesives, and conjunctival flaps. The following list shows the most common indications.
As a surgical graft:
- Pterygium and pinguecula surgery
- Conjunctivochalasis and conjunctival lesion surgery
- Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis
- Leaking bleb repair
- Descemetocele or perforation
- Fornix and socket reconstruction
As a biologic bandage:
- Recurrent corneal erosion and post-superficial keratectomy
- Corneal ulcers
- Bullous and band keratopathy
- Chemical burns
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Partial limbal stem cell deficiency
Q What are Medicare’s allowed amounts for these procedures?
A Payment rates vary by the site of service. The 2022 Medicare Physician Medicare Physician Fee Schedule allowable amounts1 are:
Q Are there any other restrictions on Medicare reimbursement?
A Yes. Medicare’s National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits bundle amniotic membrane tissue transplantation procedures (65779, 65780) with pterygium removal (65420, 65426), and with the keratoplasty codes (65710, 65730, 65750, 65755, 65756). NCCI edits change quarterly; so check them periodically.
Other third party payers are not obliged to follow Medicare’s NCCI edits, although many do. Check with the payers.
Q Does Medicare pay for the supply of AmnioGraft separately?
A No, the supply is included in the provider reimbursement. HCPCS code V2790, amniotic membrane for surgical reconstruction per procedure, is no longer eligible for discrete Medi-care payment in any setting. The large discrepancy between the physician’s reimbursement for 65779 in office vs. in a facility addresses this – the supply is part of the physician’s allowance when the procedure is done in the office, or part of the facility fee. Note that there is no difference in the surgeon’s allowable for 65780; this procedure is assumed by Medicare always to be performed in a facility.
As with all payment rates, other payers may have different policies regarding the supply of Amnio-Graft. Check with your payers.
1 These amounts are adjusted in each area by local indices. Other payers set their own fee schedules, which may differ considerably from Medicare rates.
2 The 2017 Medicare ASC fee schedule does not include a value for 65779.
Provided Courtesy of Bio-Tissue (888) 296-8858
Last updated July 25, 2022
The reimbursement information is provided by Corcoran Consulting Group based on publicly available information from CMS, the AMA, and other sources. The reader is strongly encouraged to review federal and state laws, regulations, code sets, and official instructions promulgated by Medicare and other payers. This document is not an official source nor is it a complete guide on reimbursement. Although we believe this information is accurate at the time of publication, the reader is reminded that this information, including references and hyperlinks, changes over time, and may be incorrect at any time following publication.
© 2022 Corcoran Consulting Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
Corcoran Consulting Group (800) 399-6565 www.corcoranccg.com