Can optometrists in the state of NY bill for A-scans procedures in preparation for cataract extraction? Thanks!
Can ODs in NY perform A-scans?
- Thread starter yl8
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Instead of trying to find a new revenue stream how about thinking about the patient. Say you have 5 patients a month (which I think would be alot) that need cataract surgery, do you really think you are going to do the same job the guy in my office that does about 15 calcs a day can do? Also, are you going to by an A-scan or an IOL Master which is likely standard of care at this point?
Two years ago a patient was referred for cataract surgery with his lens calcs in hand. Sadly, they made no sense. If I had placed the lenses predicted one eye would have been -3.00 the other would have been around +2.00 (the axial lengths were way off). So Medicare was billed twice, not that the OD cared b/c he got a check, but he still had no idea why the calcs didn't make sense. No surgeon in their right mind would use lens calcs from another doc, especially if they only do a few a month. The OMD could not defend a refractive surprise by saying I used Dr. X's lens calcs. The case would likely never even make it to trial, the OMD would write the check and the OD would only have limited liability.
I agree, unless you have a specific arrangement with the surgeon, you shouldn't bother doing a-scan. If I was the surgeon I wouldn't trust the calc from any another doctor, MD or OD, unless they were in the same practice or I had direct working knowledge of the practice.
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An a-scan still might be a useful thing to perform, sometimes, as in a possibly progressive/pathologic myope, but you then have to wonder if you'll use the machine enough for its cost to be worth affording. I think I'd say the same about a corneal topographer, and maybe some other instruments.
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