Summary & Overview
CPT 67015: Pars Plana Posterior Segment Needle Aspiration
CPT code 67015 identifies a posterior segment ophthalmic procedure in which a needle is introduced through the pars plana to aspirate vitreous, subretinal, or choroidal fluid. This code captures a targeted, needle-based drainage or aspiration technique used in managing select retinal and posterior chamber fluid collections. Nationally, the code is relevant where ophthalmic microsurgery and retinal procedures are performed and billed across ambulatory surgical centers and hospital operating rooms.
Key payers included in the discussion are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical and billing-focused overview of the procedure, context on typical sites of service, and what to expect in terms of coding classification. The publication outlines common modifier usage and payer considerations where available, clarifies the clinical intent of the procedure, and summarizes areas where input data is absent.
This summary is intended for health policy analysts, coding professionals, and clinical administrators seeking concise national-level context for CPT code 67015, including clinical indication framing, service setting expectations, and the types of benchmarking and policy updates that are commonly relevant to ophthalmic surgical codes. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 67015 describes a procedure in which a provider removes vitreous, subretinal, or choroidal fluid from the eye by inserting a needle into the posterior chamber through the pars plana. This is an ophthalmic surgical procedure focused on fluid aspiration within the posterior segment of the eye.
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Service type: Posterior segment ocular aspiration/needle-based drainage procedure
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room for ophthalmic surgery
Data not available in the input for additional elements such as associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, or related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient presents to the ophthalmology clinic with a sudden decrease in vision and floaters in the right eye after recent intraocular inflammation. Examination shows dense vitreous hemorrhage obscuring the posterior pole and suspected retinal tear. The ophthalmologist schedules a pars plana needle aspiration of vitreous fluid to relieve intraocular pressure, obtain diagnostic samples for culture/cytology, and allow visualization of the retina. The procedure is performed at an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department under sterile technique with local anesthesia and monitored sedation as needed. The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure consent and topical or periocular anesthesia, sterile draping, antiseptic preparation, insertion of a long, fine-gauge needle through the pars plana into the posterior chamber, aspiration of vitreous or subretinal fluid, placement of intraocular antibiotics if indicated, post-procedure intraocular pressure check, and short observation before discharge with postoperative instructions and follow-up for retinal evaluation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or time for the aspiration is substantially greater than typical (extensive adhesions, multiple attempts). |
25 |