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POLICY . . . . . . . . PG-0007 EFFECTIVE . . . . . .11/11/14 LAST REVIEW . . . 09/23/16 MEDICAL POLICY Blepharoplasty, Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery, and Brow Lift GUIDELINES This policy does not certify benefits or authorization of benefits, which is designated by each individual policyholder contract. Paramount applies coding edits to all medical claims through coding logic software to evaluate the accuracy and adherence to accepted national standards. This guideline is solely for explaining correct procedure reporting and does not imply coverage and reimbursement. DESCRIPTION Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure, which is performed to correct a drooping upper or lower eyelid many times caused by excess tissue. It may be performed to correct a visual field impairment or it may be performed for cosmetic purposes. Blepharoplasty is also performed to treat eyelid lesions/alterations due to inflammatory processes such as Grave’s disease, blepharochalasis and floppy eyelid syndrome. The appropriate procedure for repair of floppy eyelid syndrome may be an excision and repair of eyelid, involving lid margin, conjunctiva, canthus, or full thickness that may include skin graft or flap. Blepharoplasty may also be indicated in cases of trauma to the eyelids and orbit. Ectropion and entropion are malpositions of the eyelid. Ectropion is eversion and downward pull of the lower eyelid away from the globe where it usually rests. Entropion is the turning in of the upper or lower margin of the eyelid. The most common type is senile or spastic entropion. Brow ptosis is most commonly an age-related change caused by redundancy of forehead skin creating obstruction of the vision and lash ptosis. Brow ptosis may cause visual impairment. Brow lift involves raising the eyebrows. It often accompanies other plastic surgical procedures of the face, including cosmetic procedures of the eyelids, lower face and neck. It is generally performed to correct signs of aging. Blepharoptosis is redundancy of tissue from drooping of the eyelid due to paralysis or laxity of the muscles. POLICY Lower eyelid blepharoplasty (15820, 15821), upper eyelid blepharoplasty (15822, 15823), brow ptosis (67900), upper eyelid blepharoptosis repair (67901-67909), & lid retraction surgery (67911) requires prior authorization for HMO, PPO, Individual Marketplace, & Elite. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty (15820, 15821) & upper eyelid blepharoplasty (15822, 15823) are non-covered for Advantage. Brow ptosis (67900), upper eyelid blepharoptosis repair (67901-67909), & lid retraction surgery (67911) requires prior authorization for Advantage. Ectropion (eyelid turned outward) (67914-67917) & entropion (eyelid turned inward) (67921-67924) do not require prior authorization for all product lines. Coverage is dependent on benefit plan language, may be subject to the provisions of a cosmetic and/or reconstructive surgery benefit, and may be governed by state mandates. These services are not covered when performed to improve a patient’s appearance in the absence of any signs and/or symptoms of functional abnormalities. Please refer to the applicable benefit plan document to determine benefit availability and terms, conditions and limitations of coverage. Lid retraction surgery (67911) is considered reconstructive and medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are present: 1. Other causes have been eliminated as the reason for the lid retraction such as use of dilating eye drops, glaucoma medications 2. Color photograph documents the pathology 3. There is functional impairment (such as ‘dry eyes’, pain/discomfort, tearing, blurred vision) 4. Tried and failed conservative treatments 5. In cases of thyroid eye disease two or more Hertel measurements at least 6 months apart with the same base measurements are unchanged Ectropion (eyelid turned outward) (67914-67917) & entropion (eyelid turned inward) (67921-67924) is covered for all product lines. HMO, PPO, Individual Marketplace, Elite Paramount utilizes InterQual® criteria sets for medical necessity determinations for lower eyelid blepharoplasty (15820, 15821), upper eyelid blepharoplasty (15822, 15823), brow ptosis (67900), & upper eyelid blepharoptosis repair (67901-67909). Advantage Paramount utilizes InterQual® criteria sets for medical necessity determinations for brow ptosis (67900), & upper eyelid blepharoptosis repair (67901-67909). Lower eyelid blepharoplasty (15820-15821) & upper eyelid blepharoplasty (15822, 15823) are non-covered. CODING/BILLING INFORMATION The appearance of a code in this section does not necessarily indicate coverage. Codes that are covered may have selection criteria that must be met. Payment for supplies may be included in payment for other services rendered. CPT CODES 15820 Blepharoplasty, lower eyelid; 15821 Blepharoplasty, lower eyelid; with extensive herniated fat pad 15822 Blepharoplasty, upper eyelid 15823 Blepharoplasty, upper eyelid; with excessive skin weighting down lid 67900 Repair of brow ptosis (supraciliary, mid-forehead or coronal approach) 67901 Repair of blepharoptosis; frontalis muscle technique with suture or other material (eg, banked fascia) 67902 Repair of blepharoptosis; frontalis muscle technique with autologous fascial sling (includes obtaining fascia) 67903 Repair of blepharoptosis; (tarso) levator resection or advancement, internal approach 67904 Repair of blepharoptosis; (tarso) levator resection or advancement, external approach 67906 Repair of blepharoptosis; superior rectus technique with fascial sling (includes obtaining fascia) 67908 Repair of blepharoptosis; conjunctivo-tarso-Muller's muscle-levator resection (eg, Fasanella-Servat type) 67909 Reduction of overcorrection of ptosis 67911 Correction of lid retraction 67914 Repair of ectropion; suture 67915 Repair of ectropion; thermocauterization 67916 Repair of ectropion; excision tarsal wedge 67917 Repair of ectropion; extensive (eg, tarsal strip operations) 67921 Repair of entropion; suture 67922 Repair of entropion; thermocauterization 67923 Repair of entropion; excision tarsal wedge 67924 Repair of entropion; extensive (eg, tarsal strip or capsulopalpbral fascia repairs operation) TAWG REVIEW DATES: 09/23/2016 REVISION HISTORY EXPLANATION 11/11/14: Policy created to reflect most current clinical evidence per Medical Policy Steering Committee. 09/23/16: Criteria for lid retraction surgery (67911) added. Policy reviewed and updated to reflect most current clinical evidence per TAWG. REFERENCES/RESOURCES Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS Manual System and other CMS publications and services Ohio Department of Medicaid http://jfs.ohio.gov/ American Medical Association, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) and associated publications and services Industry Standard Review Hayes, Inc.