Summary & Overview
CPT 0671T: Insertion of Anterior Segment Drainage Device(s)
CPT code 0671T represents the surgical insertion of one or more drainage devices into the anterior segment of the eye to facilitate fluid outflow and reduce intraocular pressure. This procedure is clinically important as a treatment option for patients with glaucoma or other conditions that impair aqueous humor drainage; nationally, such device-based interventions influence surgical practice patterns, device coverage policies, and payer authorization processes.
Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise briefing on what the code covers, typical sites of service (ambulatory surgical centers and hospital outpatient departments), and the clinical context for implantation of anterior-segment drainage devices. The publication also summarizes payer coverage considerations and common claim modifiers relevant to surgical device insertion where available.
This piece provides benchmarks and policy-oriented context for administrators, coding professionals, and clinicians: expected billing scenarios for device insertion, documentation elements tied to clinical indications, and the intersections of surgical coding with device-specific coverage rules. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable. The content is intended for a national audience seeking clarity on coding, clinical purpose, and payer landscape for CPT code 0671T.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0671T describes the insertion of one or more drainage devices into tissue in the anterior segment of the eye. The device helps drain fluid from the eye and may reduce intraocular pressure. This procedure targets the front-most region of the eye and is typically used to manage conditions involving aqueous outflow and elevated intraocular pressure.
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Service type: Surgical ophthalmic procedure involving implantation of drainage device(s) in the anterior segment
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in specialized ophthalmology surgical suites
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma presents with progressive optic nerve damage and elevated intraocular pressure despite maximally tolerated topical and/or systemic intraocular pressure–lowering therapy. After ophthalmic evaluation including slit-lamp exam, gonioscopy, optical coherence tomography, and visual field testing, the surgeon determines that placement of an anterior segment drainage device is indicated to improve aqueous outflow and lower intraocular pressure. The clinical workflow includes preoperative assessment and consent, topical and/or regional anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department, insertion of one or more micro‑stent or drainage devices in the anterior chamber angle or trabecular meshwork under an operating microscope, intraoperative intraocular pressure and perfusion monitoring, possible adjunct procedures (for example, cataract extraction if indicated), postoperative topical antibiotics and anti‑inflammatory medications, and scheduled follow‑up visits to assess device position, intraocular pressure, and visual function. Typical site of service is an ophthalmic ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department. The service type is surgical ophthalmology (anterior segment glaucoma drainage device insertion).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — full procedure | Use when reporting the primary service without special modifiers. |