Good news in fee schedule

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand which ophthalmic services and newly added codes were affected by 2004 Medicare payment updates so they can assess reimbursement impact and coding relevance.

Article Sections

1. Fee schedule update

   Overview of the 2004 Medicare fee schedule change and its impact on ophthalmology reimbursement. Summarizes the general payment environment discussed in the article.

2. Eyelid lesions

   Discussion of Medicare payment policy affecting eyelid lesion services and related specialty concerns. Covers broad changes affecting benign and malignant lesion categories and associated surgical care.

3. E/M

   Brief update on evaluation and management and eye code payment movement for the coming year. Highlights a notable eye-exam reimbursement change.

4. New ophthalmic codes

   Introduces newly paid ophthalmic codes and the general areas of eye care they relate to. Includes payment status information and specialty context for these additions.

5. Ophthalmology surgeries with significant fee changes in 2004

   Presents a summary table of ophthalmology procedures with notable 2004 fee changes. Shows comparison of facility and non-facility payment trends for selected CPT services.